SPAIN'S 23 MAN SQUAD FOR BRAZIL 2014

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid)

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NETHERLANDS 23 MAN WORLD CUP 2014 SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Michel Vorm (Swansea City)

Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Joel Veltman (Ajax)

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United)

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SERGIO RAMOS IN TATTOO CRAZE

Sergio Ramos has celebrated his success with club and country by having tattoos of the Champions League trophy and the World Cup inked on his calves.

The Real Madrid centre-back posted pictures of the works of art on Twitter, along with the message: ‘As promised..!! The Champions in our skin (@RodrigoGalvez81) and heart. Now the World Cup. Let's go..!!’

Ramos also posted a picture of his tattooist Rodrigo Galvez Miras.

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SIPER EAGLEA LAND IN THE STATES

Nigeria's Super Eagles landed in the USA on the final leg of their pre-World Cup camping on Thursday evening.

The team left London the morning after their 2-2 draw against Scotland and will begin preparations for their June 3 meeting against Greece immediately.

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J-LO, CLAUDIA AND PITBULL PERFORM OFFICIAL WORLD CUP SONG

Brazil does music as well as it does football. Pretty damn good in other words. 

It's little surprise then that the host nation have proved harsh judges of the official song of the World Cup. Brazil's assessment of We Are One has been withering on a Cowell-esque scale. Rightly so, the ditty trundled out by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and native daughter Claudia Leitte is truly awful and about as Brazilian as a stadium finished on time. 

Its stock is so low that the locals would be happy enough to just rehash an old tune with #VoltaWakaWaka becoming a trending hashtag here in the hope that Shakira's anthem for South Africa 2010 can be brought back in place of J-Lo and Co. 

Brazil is 'One' alright, united in turning the volume down.

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LINGERIE WORLD CUP!!!

With the World Cup just weeks away, the lingerie version of the tournament took place on Saturday.

A host of scantliy-clad beauties represented their countries at the competition and the lucky referee was former Holland international Andy van der Meyde.

The ex-Everton wideman officiated the games in his home nation and appeared to enjoy the role as he laughed and joked with the players.
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POCHETTINO IS NEW SPUS MANAGER

Southampton fear Mauricio Pochettino will try to poach their top  talent after he was confirmed as the new Tottenham manager on Tuesday.

The Argentine has signed a five-year deal worth up to £3.5million a season to replace Tim  Sherwood, who was sacked earlier this month.

Pochettino, who could make Saints striker Jay Rodriguez a top target, said: 'This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach. There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I look forward to starting work.

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FORMULA 1 DRIVER & 2 GERMAN WORLD CUP STARS IN FREAK ACCIDENT

Formula One driver Nico Rosberg and two of Germany's World Cup squad have been involved in a car accident during a promotional shoot at their World Cup training base on Tuesday which left two people in hospital.

Rosberg and DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein were carrying Germany team-mates Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes in separate vehicles when Wehrlein's car collided with two people on a road in northern Italy's South Tyrol region. The road had been closed to the public.

'I am shocked by the accident,' said Rosberg, who leads the Formula One World Championship after winning Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and I wish them a fast recovery.'

Rosberg, Wehrlein, Draxler and Howedes were not injured in the accident.

A statement from Mercedes Motorsport said: 'An accident occurred during a visit to the training camp of the German National Football Team: while driving on a closed circuit, DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein injured two people whom he unexpectedly encountered walking on the closed course.

'We cannot offer any statement concerning the severity of injuries, as both injured parties are currently undergoing medical treatment. Pascal Wehrlein was uninjured in the accident.

'We deeply regret this accident and send wishes of quick recovery to the injured. We will work in full cooperation with the authorities in determining the exact circumstances of the accident.

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MODRIC CELEBRATE LA DECIMA WITH A NEW HAIRCUT

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated Real Madrid's Champions League win by ripping his shirt off, while Gareth Bale tied a scarf around his head. 

But former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric found a novel way to mark the triumph, cutting his long flowing locks and leaving the Croatian almost unrecognisable.

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QPR ARE BACK IN THE EPL

Harry Redknapp confirmed he will remain at QPR next season after leading the club back to the Premier League at the first attempt. 

There has been speculation surrounding Redknapp's future with talk that the 67-year-old may be ready to retire from the dug out.

But less than 24-hours after winning promotion to the top flight, Redknapp confirmed he will be at the club next season.

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REAL BUTCHER GALANT ATLETICO TO CLINCH LA DECIMA

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THE QUEST FOR LA DECIMA BEGINS!!!

Real Madrid chase La Decima as Carlo Ancelotti heads into his seventh European Cup final as player and manager
The genial 54-year-old Italian has won the competition twice as a player and a manager with AC Milan
Ancelotti will join Bob Paisley as the only manager to win the European Cup three times if Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico
Ancelotti reveals Cristiano Ronaldo has taken Gareth Bale under his wing during the Welshman's first season at the Bernabeu
When he left PSG last summer, Manchester United did not make a move for Ancelotti

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SUAREZ UNDERGO OPERATION

Luis Suarez is in a fight to face England at the World Cup after having surgery on a knee injury on Thursday.

The Liverpool striker’s participation in Brazil was thrown into doubt when he was hurt during a training session with Uruguay in the capital Montevideo on Thursday morning.

Initial fears were that he could be sidelined for months rather than weeks. Uruguay wasted no time sending Suarez for an operation and he had the procedure late in the afternoon.

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NPL WEEK 14 RESULTS

Lobi Stars 3-1 FC Taraba 
El-Kanemi 1-1 Enyimba 
Nasarawa United 2-0 Giwa 
Crown 2-1 Warri Wolves 
Bayelsa 1-0 Akwa United 
Sharks 1-0 Enugu Rangers 
Nembe City 1-0 Dolphins 
Kaduna Utd 2-2 Kano Pillars 
Heartland 1-1 Abia Warriors.

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MAN U SEAL KROOS DEAL

Manchester United seal £20m deal for Toni Kroos as Louis van Gaal gives his approval... and new Old Trafford boss now sets sights on Arjen Robben

Question of the day is can Arjen Robben deliver for Manchester United?

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BUFFON AND WIFE PART WAYS

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon's announcement that he is separating from his wife caught coach Cesare Prandelli off guard as the Azzurri opened their World Cup training camp Tuesday. 

'I was surprised by his statement,' Prandelli said. 'I'm sorry, because whenever there's a separation it's upsetting for everyone. But the serenity with which he made the announcement leads to believe that he's mentally ready for this event.' 

Buffon, whose personal life has been under an intense spotlight in recent weeks, told Sky TV he has been 'separated for a while' from Czech model Alena Seredova, who he married three years ago. 
The couple has two boys. 

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BALOTELLI AND GIRLFRIEND IN LEGAL DISPUTE

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is in negotiations with his ex-girlfriend Raffaella Fico for the right to visit the child, called Pia, who is eighteen months old.

Italy man Ballotelli did not acknowledge he was Pia’s father until February this year after DNA tests proved his paternity.

He was allowed to hold her for the first time only a month ago in the court house in Naples, after the judge granted special permission.

Balotelli and Miss Fico attended a private hearing at a court in Brescia, near Milan, to discuss how often the footballer will be able to visit his daughter.

After a hearing that lasted about an hour the Serie A star’s lawyers said that they were confident he would have the chance to hold his daughter again before he leaves for the World Cup in Brazil.

Balotelli’s lawyer Alessandra Capuano told Corriere della Sera:  ‘We are well on track to finding a way for both parents to fully collaborate.’

The judge did not go into discussions on maintenance payments, which are the subject of a separate legal process beginning in September.

Balotelli, who has a turbulent on-off relationship with Belgian model Fanny Neguesha, shed his bad boy image for the court, dressed in muted tones, loafers, a white vest and shirt and sunglasses.

He left the hearing on Monday with his lawyers and security, signing autographs as he went.  

Miss Fico, a former model, wore skinny jeans, a tight white T-shirt and leather jacket, and strode purposefully on towering heels.

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MAN UNITED AGREE KROOS DEAL

Manchester United have reportedly agreed the principles of a deal to bring Toni Kroos to Old Trafford.

The club have been linked with the Bayern Munich midfielder for several months, but The Express claims that the managerial changes at the side have delayed the agreement.

The newspaper reports that Louis van Gaal's appointment earlier this week has allowed talks between the two sides to progress, resulting in the basics of a deal now being in place.

The German champions are said to be keen to sell Kroos to prevent him leaving on a free transfer next year.

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COSTA FLIES TO SEE PLACENTA DOCTOR

Diego Costa has flown to Belgrade to see 'miracle doctor' Marijana Kovacevic in a desperate attempt to be fit for the biggest match of his career. Costa was substituted in the final game of the season against Barcelona.
Atletico need their hitman against eternal rivals Real Madrid on saturday as they chase a rare double in the clubs history.

We wish Diego Costa speedy recovery...

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ZLATAN TO BE WAXED IN PARIS MUSEUM

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is loved by all in the French capital, and the Paris Saint-Germain striker will receive his very own waxwork.

The Swedish striker visited the Musee Grevin - the French version of Madame Tussauds - where work began on his own statue of his famous celebration.

Ibrahimovic was measured, molded in wax and covered in cling film on his visit to the famous waxwork museum, which is home to more than 300 statues.
The statue of Ibrahimovic's famous celebration will be ready towards the end of the year or early 2015 for the French public to view.

Such is his status in France, the Swede will become only the second foreign footballer after Pele to receive his own statue at Musee Grevin.

Ibrahimovic told PSG's official website: 'It was a really fantastic day. It's a great honour for me to have my own wax statue, here at the Musée Grévin. 

'I am very happy to have been chosen to stand alongside all these international celebrities. Don't forget to come and see me when the statue is unveiled!'

Zlatan's waxwork will soon be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and George Clooney.

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GIGGS STAR IN MARADONA'S FOOTBALL SHOW IN DUBAI

Ryan Giggs made his first television appearance since becoming Louis van Gaal's No 2 at Manchester United, but it wasn't quite the unveiling you might have have imagined.

The 40-year-old has certainly been busy since ending the season as United's interim boss and even interrupted his holiday in Dubai to link up with Diego Maradona for a new football show.    

Giggs even hit the stage in full kit and boots as he joined Maradona and Michel Salgado on The Victorious, which aims to find the next football star in the UAE.

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CR7 AND IRINA SHAYK TAKE VOGUE PHOTOSHOOT BY STORM!!!

The ultimate power couple, world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, have appeared even more glamorous than usual in a racy shoot for Vogue Spain. 

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo was styled by Mother Nature for the cover image in Vogue Espana, with Shayk shielding his modesty in front of him wearing a strapless white dress.

The shoot by renowned glossy photographer Mario Testino back in March was the first time the pair, neither of course strangers to the front side of a camera lens, have modelled as a duo. 

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ASGLEY COLE SET TO LEAVE CHELSEA AFTER 8 YEARS!!!

Ashley Cole is set to leave Chelsea this summer after revealing on Twitter that the west London side is not one of his options for next season.

The former England left back, who retired from international football having been left out of the World Cup squad, is out of contract at Chelsea this summer and resigned to leaving Stamford Bridge.

He tweeted: 'I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent and sadly it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them.'

Cole has also removed ‘Chelsea and England left-back’ from his Twitter biography.

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ENRIQUE APPOINTED BARCELONA MANAGER

Barcelona have confirmed the appointment of Luis Enrique as their new coach following Gerardo Martino's departure at the weekend.
The 44 years old Barcelona legend who worked magic with Celta Vigo is rumored to be the players choice at Camp Nou.

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YAYA TOURE FURIOUS OVER BIRTHDAY SNUB

Yaya Toure's future at Manchester City has been plunged into doubt after his agent made a bizarre rant against the Premier League champions over a perceived birthday snub.

The Ivory Coast midfielder, who is a year into a four-year deal worth £220,000 a week, is said to have been incensed that no one wished him happy returns last week at a title celebration party that  coincided with his 31st birthday.
Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk said: 'There is a big possibility Yaya will leave this summer. He is very upset. What happened at his birthday means the club don't care about him. It was proof.

'They can say whatever they want, "Oh we like him but we forgot". Forgot? About Yaya? The player who helped you to be two-times Premier League champions? The guy who helped you win the FA Cup and League Cup?

'In a normal team, his team-mates and club would at least give him good wishes. But when you win the title and two days later you have a big party to celebrate the title and nobody comes to Yaya to say happy birthday, what more do you want?

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VAN GAAL'S SHOPPING LIST

Armed with a £6million annual salary and a £200 million war chest, new Manchester United boss Luis Van Gaal has already identified key reinforcements…
VAN GAAL'S WISHLIST

KEVIN STROOTMAN 

Roma £25m, age 24
2013-14 Apps: 28  Goals: 6 
Left-footed, clever but lacks pace. Knee injury means he won’t be fit until October.

CESC FABREGAS 

Barcelona £45m, age 27
2013-14 Apps: 55  Goals: 13 
Available for sale. United won’t get involved though if there is a hint of last year’s saga.

TONI KROOS 

Bayern Munich £18m, age 24
2013-14 Apps: 51  Goals: 4
Had agreed to join David Moyes. Van Gaal still an admirer of Munich youth product.

MATS HUMMELS 

Borussia Dortmund £20m, age 25
2013-14 Apps: 28  Goals: 2
Lacks some finesse but is a tough defender. Dortmund will sacrifice one big name this summer

HOLGER BADSTUBER 

Bayern Munich £15m, age 25
2013-14 Apps: 0  Goals: 0
Regarded as best left-footed defender in Germany by van Gaal but just returned from injury.

LUKE SHAW 

Southampton £27m, age 18
2013-14 Apps: 36                Goals: 0 
Will join United once finer details of fee for the England international are ironed out.

SEBASTIAN JUNG 

Eintracht Frankfurt £7m, age 23
2013-14 Apps: 36                Goals: 1
Second best right-back in Germany behind Philipp Lahm, Arsenal also like the 22-year-old.

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NPL RESULTS

18/05Wolves1-0Heartland
18/05Enyimba1-0Kaduna
18/05Taraba FC2-1Bayelsa
18/05Enugu Rangers2-0Crown FC
18/05Giwa FC1-0Gombe
18/05Nembe City1-0El-Kanemi Warriors
18/05Abia Warriors2-1Lobi
17/05Pillars2-0Nasarawa
17/05Sunshine3-3Sharks
17/05Dolphins1-0Akwa

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VAN GAAL TO NAME VAN PERSIE AS UNITED SKIPPET

Louis van Gaal dropped the heaviest hint yet that he will appoint compatriot Robin van Persie as captain when he takes over at Manchester United, claiming the pair have a similar outlook on life.

The Holland manager has grown close to the striker, who captains his country, and is set to favour him over Wayne Rooney for the skipper’s armband at Old Trafford. 

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COURTOIS CELEBRATES LA LIGA TITLE

Thibaut Courtois celebrated winning La Liga with over 100,000 supporters on the streets of Madrid but looks increasingly likely to be contesting the Premier League with Chelsea next season.

‘I will miss all this the day I have to say goodbye,’ he said after Atletico Madrid’s draw with Barcelona won them the Spanish title. 

‘I have built-up a very good relationship with the supporters in the three years that I have been here. I never imagined this would happen when I arrived at the club.’

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SHOP GIRL SUSPENDED FOR CALLED TERRY A 'PIG'

A shop assistant was suspended from work and forced to apologise after calling Chelsea defender John Terry 'a pig' and 'a disgrace'.

Elisha Ram, 23, was working at a department store concession when the former England captain and his wife Toni walked in - and overheard her telling a colleague 'he is quite good looking in real life - but he's a pig.'

A tearful Miss Ram said she was sorry, but the defender demanded to see her manager at Bentalls in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, to complain about her conduct.

Miss Ram was then suspended from her job at the store's All Saints concession, pending an investigation by her bosses.

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MESSI IS OFFICIALLY THE HIGHEST EARNER IN SOCCER!!!

Lionel Messi has agreed a new contract at Barcelona with the Argentina superstar set to become the world's highest-paid player on £16.3million a year. 

The player’s father Jorge met with club officials Javier Faus and Antoni Rossich last week and closed what is the seventh new deal in 11 years for the four-times Ballon d’Or winner. 

Messi will be 27 in June and the new deal is not expected to extend his existing contract length taking him to 2018.

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CARROLL ENJOYS DUBAI SUN

Andy Carroll spent the afternoon at a waterpark with girlfriend Billi Mucklow as he relaxes in Dubai.

The West Ham striker is on England's World Cup standby list but headed for a break with the former The Only Way is Essex star.

Carroll, one of seven players on Roy Hodgson's reserve list, took part in some yoga earlier this week to keep himself in shape. 

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STURRIDGE ENJOYING LIFE

Daniel Sturridge has been relaxing in Miami this week before meeting up with the England squad ahead of the World Cup. 

The Liverpool striker was named in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for the tournament in Brazil and will be crucial if they are to progress into the latter stages. 

And the 24-year-old, who finished his club season on Sunday, chose to have a break in Florida with his girlfriend - despite England flying over to Miami to play two friendlies in just over a fortnight's time.

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BILLIONS LAUNDERED ANNUALLY

A new study of sports betting, corruption and match-fixing estimates organised crime launders around 100 billion euros (£85bn) a year by laying bets on sporting events.

The Qatar-based International Center for Sport Security and the Pantheon-Sorbonne University in Paris say 'hundreds, if not thousands of cases are suspected to have taken place in 2013 alone'.

The report, which drew on the knowledge and expertise of over 70 international experts, says 80 per cent of global sports betting is being carried out on illegal markets, placing it beyond the reach of regulators and investigators.

A number of soccer leagues have been hit by match-fixing scandals in recent years and three Pakistani cricketers were jailed for a plot to deliberately bowl no balls during a Test match against England at Lord's in 2010.

Technology and live television have transformed the sports betting market in recent years, allowing viewers to bet on a wider range of events and gamble in real time as a match progresses.

Chris Eaton of the ICSS, a former head of security at FIFA said: "The rapid evolution of the global sports betting market has seen an increased risk of infiltration by organised crime and money laundering.

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OSCAR POSES FOR CK

Chelsea midfielder Oscar is the latest football star to strike a pose for a new range of Calvin Klein underwear. 

The Brazilian follows the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Freddie Ljungberg into the fashionable world of modelling for a famous clothing brand.    

If the promotional image is anything to go by, Oscar has been bulking up, perhaps in order to become a more powerful presence on the pitch for Jose Mourinho's team.

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SEVILLA WIN EUROPA IN STYLE

Bela Guttmann’s curse continues to haunt Benfica. 

The better team over 120 minutes of this tie, they had their hearts broken for the eighth consecutive time in a European cup final, as Sevilla won on penalties.

Veteran striker Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo missed from the spot, while the Spaniards clinically converted all of their four kicks following a tight Europa League battle.

After winning two European Cups with Benfica, Guttmann furiously quit in 1962 over a pay dispute and declared that the Portuguese side would not win another trophy for 100 years. 

Since then they keep stumbling at the final hurdle, including in last year’s Europa League final to Chelsea and now once again this time. 

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