Footballer Kevin Walker wins Swedish 'Idol'
Swedish footballer Kevin Walker won Swedish "Idol" talent competition on Friday night and clinched a Universal Music recording contract in the process.
The 24-year-old heartthrob has been the runaway success story of this year's music talent show on Swedish television.
His progression to the final of the show gained global media attention after TV4, the makers of "Idol" who coincidentally also broadcast Swedish second division football, switched a match involving Walker's club GIF Sundsvall so it didn't clash with the show.
While some critics said he was receiving special treatment, fans continued to vote for him week after week to keep him in the competition.
And Walker picked up more votes to beat Elin Bergman in the final on Friday night at a packed Ericsson Globe in Stockholm.
"This is totally amazing. I just feel pure joy," Walker said after his triumph.
His whole "Idol" adventure began after a video of him jamming with a teammate at a club function caught the attention of the programme's producers.
For three months, Walker balanced his "Idol" commitments with Sundsvall's promotion push, scoring three times before his side eventually lost out to Halmstad in the promotion play-off last month.
Sundsvall returns for pre-season training on 6 January, but Walker, who is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, may have an album to promote on the side.
Asked whether he would now be retiring from football to concentrate on his singing career, Walker said: "We'll see, we'll see. Tonight I'm just going to enjoy the party."
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| Can Kevin Walker balance pop superstardom with the rigours of professional football? Photo: Instagram/kevinwalker89 |
The 24-year-old heartthrob has been the runaway success story of this year's music talent show on Swedish television.
His progression to the final of the show gained global media attention after TV4, the makers of "Idol" who coincidentally also broadcast Swedish second division football, switched a match involving Walker's club GIF Sundsvall so it didn't clash with the show.
While some critics said he was receiving special treatment, fans continued to vote for him week after week to keep him in the competition.
And Walker picked up more votes to beat Elin Bergman in the final on Friday night at a packed Ericsson Globe in Stockholm.
"This is totally amazing. I just feel pure joy," Walker said after his triumph.
His whole "Idol" adventure began after a video of him jamming with a teammate at a club function caught the attention of the programme's producers.
For three months, Walker balanced his "Idol" commitments with Sundsvall's promotion push, scoring three times before his side eventually lost out to Halmstad in the promotion play-off last month.
Sundsvall returns for pre-season training on 6 January, but Walker, who is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, may have an album to promote on the side.
Asked whether he would now be retiring from football to concentrate on his singing career, Walker said: "We'll see, we'll see. Tonight I'm just going to enjoy the party."
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Goal of the day: Kris Commons (Celtic) vs Motherwell
A clever backheel from Kris Commons opened up the floodgates for Glasgow Celtic as they hammered Motherwell 5-0 on Friday.
Having thrashed Hearts 7-0 in the William Hill Scottish Cup last week, the Hoops hit the goal trail again at Fir Park with Commons very much the catalyst.
Motherwell had previously contained a dominant Celtic before Commons opened the scoring two minutes before half-time.
Teemu Pukki delivered the ball from the right and found Anthony Stokes who fired a wayward shot across the six yard box, where Commons improvised superbly to backheel the ball in from point-blank range.
Motherwell appealed for offside against Celtic's top scorer, but he had clearly been played on by Adam Cummins.
Efe Ambrose headed in the second on 54 minutes before Commons tapped in a third in the 76th minute and Stokes added a fourth two minutes later with substitute Bahrudin Atajić completing the rout in the closing minutes.
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| Kris Commons celebrates with Celtic teammates after scoring the opening goal against Motherwell Photo: Facebook/CelticFC |
Having thrashed Hearts 7-0 in the William Hill Scottish Cup last week, the Hoops hit the goal trail again at Fir Park with Commons very much the catalyst.
Motherwell had previously contained a dominant Celtic before Commons opened the scoring two minutes before half-time.
Teemu Pukki delivered the ball from the right and found Anthony Stokes who fired a wayward shot across the six yard box, where Commons improvised superbly to backheel the ball in from point-blank range.
Motherwell appealed for offside against Celtic's top scorer, but he had clearly been played on by Adam Cummins.
Efe Ambrose headed in the second on 54 minutes before Commons tapped in a third in the 76th minute and Stokes added a fourth two minutes later with substitute Bahrudin Atajić completing the rout in the closing minutes.
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Liverpool ditched Andy Carroll to get best out of Luiz Suárez
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has explained that he had to sell Andy Carroll in order to implement a system designed to extract the very best from Luiz Suárez.
Carroll and Suárez were both signed by Kenny Dalglish in lucrative deadline-day deals in January 2011 after Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea for £50 million.
But Carroll failed to justify his British record transfer fee of £35 million, struggling with form and fitness before being offloaded to West Ham on loan last season.
The ex-Newcastle United hitman eventually joined the Hammers on a permanent deal in the summer, and Rodgers believes his departure has allowed Suárez to take up a free role for the side.
"I just felt it wouldn't benefit Luis because when you play with a big target man, it is hard not to make him your focal point, so everything has to be set around the big guy," Rodgers told reporters.
"Sometimes you get sucked into doing it more direct and clearly, with my history as a coach I don't work that way.
"You look at the goals that Luis has scored in my time, there has not been too many that have been too many that have been whipped-in-crosses, which to be fair, big Andy was brilliant at.
"What we try to do here is create the environment for the elite player - and Luis is an elite player
"We have created an environment for all our players, but obviously for him I had to make a call last year by letting Andy Carroll go out on loan.
"That created a situation where we could get the benefit of Luis' talent, but he still had to perform, and he has done that tremendously well."
Rodgers has certainly been justified in his decision to back the talents of Suárez over Carroll, with the Uruguayan forward having scored 36 times in his last 42 Premier League appearances for the club.
Carroll, meanwhile, has scored seven goals in his 24 games for West Ham, and has not played at all this season due to injury.
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| Brendan Rodgers has decided a Luiz Suárez-Andy Carroll partnership wouldn't work Photo: Getty Images |
Carroll and Suárez were both signed by Kenny Dalglish in lucrative deadline-day deals in January 2011 after Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea for £50 million.
But Carroll failed to justify his British record transfer fee of £35 million, struggling with form and fitness before being offloaded to West Ham on loan last season.
The ex-Newcastle United hitman eventually joined the Hammers on a permanent deal in the summer, and Rodgers believes his departure has allowed Suárez to take up a free role for the side.
"I just felt it wouldn't benefit Luis because when you play with a big target man, it is hard not to make him your focal point, so everything has to be set around the big guy," Rodgers told reporters.
"Sometimes you get sucked into doing it more direct and clearly, with my history as a coach I don't work that way.
"You look at the goals that Luis has scored in my time, there has not been too many that have been too many that have been whipped-in-crosses, which to be fair, big Andy was brilliant at.
"What we try to do here is create the environment for the elite player - and Luis is an elite player
"We have created an environment for all our players, but obviously for him I had to make a call last year by letting Andy Carroll go out on loan.
"That created a situation where we could get the benefit of Luis' talent, but he still had to perform, and he has done that tremendously well."
Rodgers has certainly been justified in his decision to back the talents of Suárez over Carroll, with the Uruguayan forward having scored 36 times in his last 42 Premier League appearances for the club.
Carroll, meanwhile, has scored seven goals in his 24 games for West Ham, and has not played at all this season due to injury.
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Related links: Team Personal Also see:
- Luis Suárez scores four times vs Norwich to make Premier League history
- Philippe Coutinho: Why I left Inter Milan for Liverpool
- Steven Gerrard wants Premier League title before he retires
- 'Pepe Reina had Barcelona agreement before joining Napoli'
- Watch Andy Carroll partying hard in Vegas 36 hours before West Ham medical
Feyenoord fan builds replica of De Kuip stadium as baby's cot
A crazed Feyenoord Rotterdam fan has taken a rather inventive route to make sure his kid knows which team he supports from birth.
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| Photo: @JayMunsters |
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- Kid toothpastes mum's eyebrows after losing Twitter bet on Nicklas Bendtner scoring
- Blind Newcastle fan gets club crest etched onto his glass eye
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Levski Sofia fan forced to do 'walk of shame' by CSKA Sofia Ultras
A Levski Sofia supporter was forced to do a walk of shame, wearing nothing except his hair, as punishment for infiltrating the section of CSKA Sofia Ultras.
The poor Levski fan thought it was a good idea to watch the derby game against arch rivals CSKA in their end.
But once found out, he was stripped down to his birthday suit and forced to do a walk of shame covering his penis.
The poor Levski fan thought it was a good idea to watch the derby game against arch rivals CSKA in their end.
But once found out, he was stripped down to his birthday suit and forced to do a walk of shame covering his penis.
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Also see:
- Man United fan gets married into Man City family, gives brilliant wedding toast
- Genoa coaching staff caught spying on Sampdoria training dressed as 'Rambo'
- Pic of the day: This guy must really hated Manchester United
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Here's John Guidetti singing 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
Manchester City youngster John Guidetti has definitively proven that his vocal chords are no match for his football skills.
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Top 10 Goals of Week #1 December 2013
Here are the best goals from week #1 December 2013, courtesy of TVGOLO.com
| Goal#1 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) | vs Mainz 05 |
| Goal#2 | Saber Khelifa (Olympique Marseille) | vs Montpellier Hérault |
| Goal#3 | Lima (Benfica) | vs Rio Ave |
| Goal#4 | Maximilian Beister (Hamburg) | vs Köln |
| Goal#5 | Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka) | vs Kashima Antlers |
| Goal#6 | Eden Hazard (Chelsea) | vs Sunderland |
| Goal#7 | Zlatan Ibrahimović (Paris Saint-Germain) | vs Olympique Lyon |
| Goal#8 | Lewis Holtby (Tottenham Hotspur) | vs Fulham |
| Goal#9 | Darío Burbano (Club León) | vs Monarcas Morelia |
| Goal#10 | Luis Suárez (Liverpool) | vs Norwich |
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Also see:
- Luis Suárez scores four times vs Norwich to make Premier League history
- Goal of the day: Fabian Delph (Aston Villa) vs Southampton
- Goal of the day: Maximilian Beister (Hamburg) vs Köln
- Paul Scholes scores the best five-a-side goal you'll ever see
- Ex-Reading player Glen Little scores non-league wonder goal
Kid toothpastes mum's eyebrows after losing Twitter bet on Nicklas Bendtner scoring
A kid named Mitch Jordan has given his Twitter followers quite a show, following through on a promise to toothpaste his mother's eyebrows after Nicklas Bendtner scored for Arsenal last night.
Bendtner made a surprise start for the Gunners against Hull City on Wednesday night in the Premier League.
And for some odd reason, young Mitch tweeted that he would do an unusual forfeit if the Dane was to score.
Bendtner made a surprise start for the Gunners against Hull City on Wednesday night in the Premier League.
And for some odd reason, young Mitch tweeted that he would do an unusual forfeit if the Dane was to score.
If Bendtner scores tonight I will toothpaste my Mums eyebrows whilst she's asleep
— MITCH (@MitchGordon1997) December 4, 2013AS PROMISED, FUCK YOU BENDTNER ���������� pic.twitter.com/4a1PtS1PCD
— MITCH (@MitchGordon1997) December 4, 2013Don't forget to join us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
Also see:
- Adrian Mutu banned from Romania team for comparing coach to Mr Bean
- Fans offered free porn if France qualified for World Cup, get site crashed in 45 seconds
- French TV weather girl strips naked on air after losing World Cup bet
- Man United fan gets married into Man City family, gives brilliant wedding toast
- Mario Balotelli's Ferrari gets toilet-papered by angry fans after autograph refusal
Gennaro Gattuso slams Barbara Berlusconi with sexist comments
Former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could be in hot water after making sexist comments regarding women not belonging in football.
The former San Siro favourite has decided to chime in on the power struggle at the Milan giants between long-time Chief Executive Adriano Galliani and Barbara Berlusconi, the daughter of President Silvio Berlusconi.
Galliani threatened to resign last week, apparently unhappy at comments by Barbara that the club needed a new philosophy, only to then agree to share his role with the latter.
"I think someone like Galliani deserves more respect for everything he has done and how in all these years he steered the club to positive results," Gattuso told Radio Radio.
"I don't want to say this, but I really can't see women in football."
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| Barbara Berlusconi has been made Chief Executive at AC Milan by her father Silvio Berlusconi Photo: Getty Images |
The former San Siro favourite has decided to chime in on the power struggle at the Milan giants between long-time Chief Executive Adriano Galliani and Barbara Berlusconi, the daughter of President Silvio Berlusconi.
Galliani threatened to resign last week, apparently unhappy at comments by Barbara that the club needed a new philosophy, only to then agree to share his role with the latter.
"I think someone like Galliani deserves more respect for everything he has done and how in all these years he steered the club to positive results," Gattuso told Radio Radio.
"I don't want to say this, but I really can't see women in football."
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Luis Suárez scores four times vs Norwich to make Premier League history
Liverpool striker Luis Suárez scored a first-half hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich at Anfield to become the first Premier League player to score three hat-tricks against the same team.
The Uruguayan broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when his stunning volley from 35 yards looped over John Ruddy after the goalkeeper's poor clearance had been headed forward by Steven Gerrard.
Suárez doubled the advantage in the 29th minute with a close-range volley after Norwich defence had failed to stop Philippe Coutinho's corner from the left.
His hat-trick came six minutes later when he lifted the ball over the helpless Leroy Fer before firing a right-footed effort past Ruddy from 20 yards.
The 26-year-old added a fourth goal on 74 minutes as he curled an excellent 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Bradley Johnson headed home a consolation for the Canaries with seven minutes remaining before Suárez set up Raheem Sterling to score late on to round off the win.
"It was a remarkable individual performance," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the match.
"I always like to talk about the team but you've got to hold Luis up tonight as one of the best strikers in the world. It was an incredible performance.
"If you put him out on the pitch, you know you're going to get determination and the will and the desire to succeed, which is important, but the quality of his finishing is just at a really high level - and none more so than tonight."
Suárez previously scored two trebles against Norwich in April and September of last year, and now has 11 goals in five appearances against the Canaries.
"Before the game I did not know about that, but afterwards some of the players told me," Suárez told the club's website.
"It's good for me, for my future and for my history. But I think for the club it will give us confidence for the next game.
"When I play (against Norwich), I don't feel a difference. I think today is a lucky day and the most important thing is that I tried to help the team."
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| Luis Suárez has now scored 11 times in his last four appearances for Liverpool against Norwich Photo: Getty Images |
The Uruguayan broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when his stunning volley from 35 yards looped over John Ruddy after the goalkeeper's poor clearance had been headed forward by Steven Gerrard.
Suárez doubled the advantage in the 29th minute with a close-range volley after Norwich defence had failed to stop Philippe Coutinho's corner from the left.
His hat-trick came six minutes later when he lifted the ball over the helpless Leroy Fer before firing a right-footed effort past Ruddy from 20 yards.
The 26-year-old added a fourth goal on 74 minutes as he curled an excellent 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Bradley Johnson headed home a consolation for the Canaries with seven minutes remaining before Suárez set up Raheem Sterling to score late on to round off the win.
"It was a remarkable individual performance," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after the match.
"I always like to talk about the team but you've got to hold Luis up tonight as one of the best strikers in the world. It was an incredible performance.
"If you put him out on the pitch, you know you're going to get determination and the will and the desire to succeed, which is important, but the quality of his finishing is just at a really high level - and none more so than tonight."
Suárez previously scored two trebles against Norwich in April and September of last year, and now has 11 goals in five appearances against the Canaries.
"Before the game I did not know about that, but afterwards some of the players told me," Suárez told the club's website.
"It's good for me, for my future and for my history. But I think for the club it will give us confidence for the next game.
"When I play (against Norwich), I don't feel a difference. I think today is a lucky day and the most important thing is that I tried to help the team."
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Related links: Team Personal Also see:
- Nicklas Bendtner scores first Arsenal goal after 1,071 days
- Gareth Bale bags perfect hat-trick for Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid
- Pepe Reina ends Mario Balotelli's successful penalty streak
- John Obi Mikel scores first Premier League goal after EIGHT years
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bags hat-trick on Bundesliga debut
Goal of the day: Fabian Delph (Aston Villa) vs Southampton
Fabian Delph scored his first ever Premier League goal with a stunning long-range strike to secure Aston Villa a thrilling 3-2 win at Southampton on Wednesday.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had given Villa a first-half lead before Jay Rodriguez levelled three minutes after the break with a superb header.
Libor Kozák headed the visitors back in front after 64 minutes, only for substitute Pablo Daniel Osvaldo to head a second equaliser five minutes later.
But Villa would not be denied as Delph scored a fabulous winner with ten minutes remaining.
Having been under pressure, Paul Lambert's men broke quickly and Agbonlahor picked out Delph with a well-measured pass just inside the Southampton half.
The 24-year-old collected the ball and ran towards goal before rocketing an outstanding 25-yard effort that arrowed into the top corner.
"It's been a while since I've scored a goal like that," Delph told Sky Sports. "Last time I scored a goal like that was at Leeds, so it's nice to get off the mark.
"I've been getting a bit of stick from the lads (for not scoring), but I've been given the licence to get forward and to get a few shots off. I did that today and luckily one went in."
Lambert added: "I thought Fabian's overall game was fabulous. He has been terrific for me this season, but the strike was just worthy of winning any game."
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| Aston Villa player Fabian Delph shoots to score the winning goal against Southampton Photo: Getty Images |
Gabriel Agbonlahor had given Villa a first-half lead before Jay Rodriguez levelled three minutes after the break with a superb header.
Libor Kozák headed the visitors back in front after 64 minutes, only for substitute Pablo Daniel Osvaldo to head a second equaliser five minutes later.
But Villa would not be denied as Delph scored a fabulous winner with ten minutes remaining.
Having been under pressure, Paul Lambert's men broke quickly and Agbonlahor picked out Delph with a well-measured pass just inside the Southampton half.
The 24-year-old collected the ball and ran towards goal before rocketing an outstanding 25-yard effort that arrowed into the top corner.
"It's been a while since I've scored a goal like that," Delph told Sky Sports. "Last time I scored a goal like that was at Leeds, so it's nice to get off the mark.
"I've been getting a bit of stick from the lads (for not scoring), but I've been given the licence to get forward and to get a few shots off. I did that today and luckily one went in."
Lambert added: "I thought Fabian's overall game was fabulous. He has been terrific for me this season, but the strike was just worthy of winning any game."
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Leo Messi vs Kobe Bryant in selfie battle for Turkish Airlines advert
This latest ad for Turkish Airlines shows the Barcelona ace and the LA Lakers star competing to see who can take the most impressive picture of themselves in the most remote corner of the planet.
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- Lionel Messi has historical doppelgänger!
- How Zlatan Ibrahimović announced as new ambassador for Xbox One in France
- Luis Suárez stars in TV advert mocking his own antics on pitch
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Nicklas Bendtner scores first Arsenal goal after almost THREE years
Nicklas Bendtner scored his first goal for Arsenal since March 2011 as the Gunners secured a 2-0 victory over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The Dane was handed his first start in the top flight for Arsenal in 1,005 days to give leading forward Olivier Giroud a rest.
Amazingly, the 25-year-old striker took just 90 seconds to get on the scoresheet.
Smart interplay between Tomáš Rosický and Aaron Ramsey saw the Welshman release Carl Jenkinson down the right and his pinpoint cross was met with a bullet header from Bendtner.
It was Bendtner's first Arsenal goal since his hat-trick against Leyton Orient in an FA Cup tie on March 2011.
The hosts eventually doubled their lead at the start of the second half through Mesut Özil.
"We know that when he has the mind of the game, he has the qualities. I believe tonight he had a good game," Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger told a press conference.
"He has the stature, he has good technical quality, he has quite good pace. Look, we had him as a boy of 15 or 16 and I made him sign a long contract twice so that means I always believed in his qualities."
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| Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner celebrates after scoring a goal against Hull Photo: Getty Images |
The Dane was handed his first start in the top flight for Arsenal in 1,005 days to give leading forward Olivier Giroud a rest.
Amazingly, the 25-year-old striker took just 90 seconds to get on the scoresheet.
Smart interplay between Tomáš Rosický and Aaron Ramsey saw the Welshman release Carl Jenkinson down the right and his pinpoint cross was met with a bullet header from Bendtner.
It was Bendtner's first Arsenal goal since his hat-trick against Leyton Orient in an FA Cup tie on March 2011.
The hosts eventually doubled their lead at the start of the second half through Mesut Özil.
"We know that when he has the mind of the game, he has the qualities. I believe tonight he had a good game," Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger told a press conference.
"He has the stature, he has good technical quality, he has quite good pace. Look, we had him as a boy of 15 or 16 and I made him sign a long contract twice so that means I always believed in his qualities."
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Related links: Team Personal Also see:
- Gareth Bale bags perfect hat-trick for Real Madrid vs Real Valladolid
- Pepe Reina ends Mario Balotelli's successful penalty streak
- John Obi Mikel scores first Premier League goal after EIGHT years
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bags hat-trick on Bundesliga debut
- 17-year-old PSV wonderkid Zakaria Bakkali scores hat-trick vs NEC
Blind Newcastle fan gets club crest etched onto his glass eye
One fan has taken his love for Newcastle United to new extremes by having the club's emblem etched onto a specially made glass eye for him.
Andrew Canavan had his right eye removed 20 years ago when a detached retina caused bleeding from his pupil which turned his eye red.
Since then the 35-year-old has been living with a glass eye, but he recently pimped his fake pupil in a bid to find a unique way to show where his loyalties lie.
The demolition worker spent just over £150 on an eye with the Newcastle badge where the iris and pupil normally are.
The glass eye, made by a specialist in Blackpool, arrived at his home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, earlier this week.
Mr Canavan told the Daily Mail: "When some people lose an eye they are devastated, but I saw it as an opportunity to do something unique.
"I have always been a Newcastle United fan. Where I come from, you don't choose what club you support, you are born into it. My dad was a Newcastle fan, and my granddad. This is the ultimate tribute to Newcastle United."
Mr Canavan spent a year trying to secure permission from Newcastle to use their logo - a registered trademark - before finally getting the go ahead this summer.
He added: "It took us ages to persuade Newcastle United to allow me to use the emblem because it is a registered trademark.
"To start with they thought I was taking the mick, but when they realised how sincere I was they said they were happy for me to go ahead."
A Newcastle spokesperson said: "It was certainly an unusual request but one that we were more than happy to assist with."
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| Andrew Canavan has paid the ultimate tribute to his favourite club Newcastle United Photo: North News & Pictures Ltd |
Andrew Canavan had his right eye removed 20 years ago when a detached retina caused bleeding from his pupil which turned his eye red.
Since then the 35-year-old has been living with a glass eye, but he recently pimped his fake pupil in a bid to find a unique way to show where his loyalties lie.
The demolition worker spent just over £150 on an eye with the Newcastle badge where the iris and pupil normally are.
The glass eye, made by a specialist in Blackpool, arrived at his home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, earlier this week.
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| Andrew Canavan shows off his glass eye etched with the Newcastle United crest Photo: North News & Pictures Ltd |
Mr Canavan told the Daily Mail: "When some people lose an eye they are devastated, but I saw it as an opportunity to do something unique.
"I have always been a Newcastle United fan. Where I come from, you don't choose what club you support, you are born into it. My dad was a Newcastle fan, and my granddad. This is the ultimate tribute to Newcastle United."
Mr Canavan spent a year trying to secure permission from Newcastle to use their logo - a registered trademark - before finally getting the go ahead this summer.
He added: "It took us ages to persuade Newcastle United to allow me to use the emblem because it is a registered trademark.
"To start with they thought I was taking the mick, but when they realised how sincere I was they said they were happy for me to go ahead."
A Newcastle spokesperson said: "It was certainly an unusual request but one that we were more than happy to assist with."
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Goal of the day: Maximilian Beister (Hamburg) vs Köln
Maximilian Beister struck a stunning effort as Hamburg left it late to beat Köln 2-1 at the Imtech Arena on Tuesday and reach the quarter-final stages of the DFB-Pokal.
Despite dominating much of the first period, Köln conceded just before half-time through a dream strike from Beister.
Hamburg captain Marcell Jansen laid the ball off to Beister who was advancing from the right.
The 23-year-old had to run back towards his own goal before slamming a spectacular volley from the edge of the area.
The visitors equalised through Adam Matuschyk on 54 minutes, but Ivo Iličević came off the Hamburg bench to score the winning goal five minutes from time.
"I was lucky. The cross was quite high and I knew that I had to take it directly, because it would have been difficult with a bounce. I took the ball then hit it very well," Beister said after the game.
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| Hamburg player Maximilian Beister celebrates after scoring his team's first goal against Köln Photo: Reuters |
Despite dominating much of the first period, Köln conceded just before half-time through a dream strike from Beister.
Hamburg captain Marcell Jansen laid the ball off to Beister who was advancing from the right.
The 23-year-old had to run back towards his own goal before slamming a spectacular volley from the edge of the area.
The visitors equalised through Adam Matuschyk on 54 minutes, but Ivo Iličević came off the Hamburg bench to score the winning goal five minutes from time.
"I was lucky. The cross was quite high and I knew that I had to take it directly, because it would have been difficult with a bounce. I took the ball then hit it very well," Beister said after the game.
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Paul Pogba named Europe's best U-21 player of 2013
France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been awarded the Golden Boy award for the best U-21 player in Europe.
The 20-year-old saw off competition from 40 players to win the 11th edition of the award, founded in 2003 by Italian publication Tuttosport.
The other nominees included highly regarded youngsters such as Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler and Real Madrid defender Raphaël Varane.
"I'm flattered and proud to receive this prestigious trophy," Pogba told Tuttosport.
"Having won the Scudetto for the first time, got as far as the quarter-finals in the Champions League, won the U-20 World Cup with France and been promoted to the first team by (France) coach Didier Deschamps, 2013 really was a golden year for me and I just hope that 2014 is the same!
"One day I would like to win everything there is to win, but you have to consider your opponents, who can be more aggressive than ever.
"Dreaming is not forbidden, but if I was being down to earth then I want a third Scudetto in a row for Juventus."
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| In what was his debut season in Serie A, Paul Pogba helped Juventus to win the Scudetto Photo: AFP/Getty Images |
The 20-year-old saw off competition from 40 players to win the 11th edition of the award, founded in 2003 by Italian publication Tuttosport.
The other nominees included highly regarded youngsters such as Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler and Real Madrid defender Raphaël Varane.
"I'm flattered and proud to receive this prestigious trophy," Pogba told Tuttosport.
"Having won the Scudetto for the first time, got as far as the quarter-finals in the Champions League, won the U-20 World Cup with France and been promoted to the first team by (France) coach Didier Deschamps, 2013 really was a golden year for me and I just hope that 2014 is the same!
"One day I would like to win everything there is to win, but you have to consider your opponents, who can be more aggressive than ever.
"Dreaming is not forbidden, but if I was being down to earth then I want a third Scudetto in a row for Juventus."
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Juventus fined after schoolchildren abuse Udinese goalkeeper
Juventus have been hit with a €5,000 fine after schoolchildren who were invited to watch a Serie A game against Udinese at the weekend insulted the opposition goalkeeper.
The Bianconeri allowed more than 12,000 children to fill the stands at both ends of the Juventus Stadium after the club's ultras had been banned for the fixture.
The match would have been played behind closed doors following discriminatory chants during a match with Napoli earlier this season, but Juventus prevented that scenario by offering free tickets to young fans, which was applauded by many.
However, the move backfired as the children shouted abuse at Udinese goalkeeper Željko Brkić every time he took a goal-kick.
Brkić made a number of fine saves throughout the game before Fernando Llorente scored the winner in stoppage time to hand Juve a 1-0 triumph.
"I wanted to say something right after the game because it bothered me but I didn't want to put any oil on the fire and I decided to stay quiet," Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin told Italian media.
"For a club such as Juventus where everything is beautiful, in particular where the stadium gives you the idea that you are not in Italy, it is really troublesome to hear those words every time the goalkeeper puts the ball into play."
Aside from those chants, the children were generally on good behaviour, and Juventus have suggested they could repeat the special offer the next time the ultras are banned.
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| Thousands of children take up the curve where the Juventus ultras usually stand Photo: Getty Images |
The Bianconeri allowed more than 12,000 children to fill the stands at both ends of the Juventus Stadium after the club's ultras had been banned for the fixture.
The match would have been played behind closed doors following discriminatory chants during a match with Napoli earlier this season, but Juventus prevented that scenario by offering free tickets to young fans, which was applauded by many.
However, the move backfired as the children shouted abuse at Udinese goalkeeper Željko Brkić every time he took a goal-kick.
Brkić made a number of fine saves throughout the game before Fernando Llorente scored the winner in stoppage time to hand Juve a 1-0 triumph.
"I wanted to say something right after the game because it bothered me but I didn't want to put any oil on the fire and I decided to stay quiet," Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin told Italian media.
"For a club such as Juventus where everything is beautiful, in particular where the stadium gives you the idea that you are not in Italy, it is really troublesome to hear those words every time the goalkeeper puts the ball into play."
Aside from those chants, the children were generally on good behaviour, and Juventus have suggested they could repeat the special offer the next time the ultras are banned.
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Players involved in unexpected wrestling display
Guardiola cried when Bayern youngster Højbjerg told about his cancer-stricken father
Bayern Munich midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has revealed the support he got from Pep Guardiola when the youngster was told that his father has stomach cancer.
The 18-year-old made his senior debut last season but has been injured for much of the current campaign.
"The Danish doctors didn't think he could survive. I couldn't stop crying when I arrived at the training ground. My father could die," Højbjerg in an interview with Danish TV DR.
"I'm 18 and here I am. I'm injured and I'm alone. What shall I do?"
Guardiola then called Højbjerg to speak to the young Dane personally.
Højbjerg continued: "He said: 'I've heard about your father and I'm extremely upset about it. Let's have a chat.'
"And then I just started to cry and said I was bewildered and scared. Then he said to me: 'You have to stand by the people who are close to you, even if your work suffers.
"Then he began to cry and didn't know what to say."
The Bundesliga champions then arranged for the player's father to be flown to Germany to receive treatment.
"Now they say my father has a reasonable chance of survival," said Højbjerg.
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| Danish youngster Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has endured a difficult time at Bayern Munich Photo: Imago |
The 18-year-old made his senior debut last season but has been injured for much of the current campaign.
"The Danish doctors didn't think he could survive. I couldn't stop crying when I arrived at the training ground. My father could die," Højbjerg in an interview with Danish TV DR.
"I'm 18 and here I am. I'm injured and I'm alone. What shall I do?"
Guardiola then called Højbjerg to speak to the young Dane personally.
Højbjerg continued: "He said: 'I've heard about your father and I'm extremely upset about it. Let's have a chat.'
"And then I just started to cry and said I was bewildered and scared. Then he said to me: 'You have to stand by the people who are close to you, even if your work suffers.
"Then he began to cry and didn't know what to say."
The Bundesliga champions then arranged for the player's father to be flown to Germany to receive treatment.
"Now they say my father has a reasonable chance of survival," said Højbjerg.
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