Rossi storms to San Marino pole
Posted On Saturday, September 5, 2009 at at 6:39 AM by KOBERT
Having crashed out at Indianapolis last Sunday Valentino Rossi is fighting back in style at his home event this weekend and he took pole at the end of an intriguing qualifying practice at Misano on Saturday afternoon.
The Italian legend has been the fastest rider in every session so far this weekend and his last gasp 1’34.338 lap put him in pole position for the sixth time this season in the Rimini sunshine.
As the session drew to a close it looked as though Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa had snatched pole from Rossi with a decent 1’34.560 effort, but the Fiat Yamaha rider found another level in the closing seconds to deny the Spaniard.
Completing the front row, Rossi’s team-mate Jorge Lorenzo also marked his best time at the end of the QP, but he finally fell half a second short of his title rival. Lorenzo will need to be at his very best if he is to improve on his second place result in last year’s Misano contest.
The second row of the grid is headed by San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Toni Elías who lapped with a similar pace to Lorenzo and will be desperate for a good performance on Sunday as he fights for his future in the premier class.
Behind Elías on the grid sits the experienced Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and the Texan’s compatriot Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro), who is enjoying plenty of support from the Ducatisti this weekend.
The top ten also features home rider Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda), Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) and Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) - the veteran Italian surviving an off track excursion unscathed during the session.
Fisichella joins Ferrari
Posted On Thursday, September 3, 2009 at at 7:44 AM by KOBERT
"Following extensive discussions over the past 24 hours, the Force India Formula One Team has agreed to release Giancarlo Fisichella from his contract to join the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team for the remainder of the 2009 season, starting with immediate effect," Force India said in a statment.
Force India team boss Vijay Mallya said that he would not have stood in the way of the Italian taking a race seat with Ferrari.
"Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari," Mallya said.
"For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this.
"Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India."
Amazingly, Mallya said that there had been no financial settlement with Ferrari over the switch of Fisichella, who caused a minor sensation when running Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen close in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix for Force India's first ever championship points.
"This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general," Mallya insisted.
"A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times."
Fisichella would now be expected to make his Ferrari debut at the next Formula One Grand Prix at the Italian circuit of Monza on September 13.
The 36-year-old replaces Luca Badoer as Kimi Raikkonen's team-mate, after the Italian test driver filled in for two races following Felipe Massa's accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Stand-in Badoer, 38, struggled in his two races as a replacement for Massa. Making a comeback after almost a decade away from grand prix racing, he qualified last in Valencia and Belgium and was also last to take the chequered flag in both races.
Force India are yet to announce who will replace Fisichella for them for the remainder of the season.
Men's Drawsheet- US Open
Posted On at at 7:29 AM by KOBERT
US Open - US Open slice: Day Three
Posted On at at 7:22 AM by KOBERT
Marat Safin said goodbye to Grand Slam tennis with little more than a whimper, a conflict of character with the fiery persona that electrified his career.
Was it really just nine years ago that a fresh-faced, 20-year-old Safin blew Pete Sampras off the court in New York to claim the first of his two Slam titles?
As he headed into retirement - save for a few minor tournaments between now and the end of the year - Safin looked jaded and relieved to go, ground down by the rigors of the sport and the occasional excesses of his lifestyle.
Safin's defeat to Jurgen Melzer in the first round was laced with disappointment. After an explosive start he faltered badly, eventually losing to the Austrian in four sets, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
As he walked off Louis Armstrong Court you couldn't help but get the sense that Safin's talent was as much a curse as a blessing for the giant Russian.
There is no doubt he had the ability to add more silverware to his collection. But the mentality, so often, was not right and the motivation necessary to attain greatness was regularly absent.
"It is OK," said Safin. "It is the end. I don't care about losses anymore."
As soon as such words become possible for a professional athlete, it is time to go. This is Safin's time, and while there was no storybook ending, his decision is clearly the right one.
DROP SHOT
Serena Williams was in typically imperious form as she brushed aside Melinda Czink of Hungary in the second round at the end of Wednesday's night session, 6-1, 6-1. However, Williams's petulant stare-down of the line judge who "dared" to foot-fault her (even though her toe was clearly over the line) was in poor taste and deserves censure from the WTA Tour.
CLEAN WINNER
Flavia Pennetta's impressive summer continued Wednesday, with the 10th-seeded Italian demolishing India's Sania Mirza 6-0, 6-0. Pennetta is in arguably the best form of her career - and is a player to watch as the tournament progresses.
UPSET ALERT
Fourteenth seed Tommy Robredo has a tough encounter against fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Court 10 on Thursday. Robredo has reached the fourth round here on five occasions, but Garcia-Lopez could bounce him out of the tournament if he finds his best form.
MATCH OF THE DAY
The opening match on Court Seven was the best of the day, with Andreas Beck surviving a spirited comeback from Evgeny Korolev to win in five sets. Beck raced into a two-set lead before being pegged back but held his nerve to take the fifth 6-4.
Chelsea hit with shock transfer ban
Posted On at at 7:08 AM by KOBERT
Chelsea have been banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows in a shock move by FIFA after being found guilty of inducing a French teenager to breach his contract with another club.
Gael Kakuta, 18, joined Chelsea from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA.
Now FIFA's dispute resolution chamber has ruled that Kakuta breached his contract with Lens and that Chelsea induced him to do so.
They now cannot make any signings until January 2011, while the player has been fined £682,000 and banned for four months.
Chelsea havea right to appeal the decision directly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
FIFA said in a statement: "The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.
"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach.
"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of 780,000 euros (£682,000), for which the club, Chelsea, is jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches is imposed on the player Gael Kakuta while the club Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.
"Furthermore, Chelsea, has to pay RC Lens training compensation in the amount of 130,000 euros (£114,000)."
La Liga Team Of The Week - Round 1
Posted On Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at at 9:30 PM by KOBERT
The Spanish league season is up and running and the Primera team of the week is back...
There were some great displays in the opening round of the Primera season and Goal.com has weighed up which were the best and named a team that would give any side a game...
4-4-2
Goalkeeper:
Jacobo (Real Valladolid)
Made an impressive claim to become the club's first choice keeper after spells with Numancia and Getafe by making seven crucial saves to earn his side a point against Almeria even after Nivaldo had been sent off.
Defenders:
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Despite playing for 120 minutes on a questionable pitch only three days earlier in the European Super Cup, the Brazilian full-back produced another energetic performance against Sporting. His tireless running tormented the Asturians throughout and he set up two goals with his crossing ability.
Cata Diaz (Getafe)
Los Azulones attacking players may have won all the headlines for the team's impressive display in their 4-1 win at Racing Santander on the opening day, but the powerful defender was one of the unsung heroes at the back. His organisation and driving spirit was evident and that drove Geta on.
Alexis (Valencia)
In what proved to be a tight and unspectacular affair at the Mestalla on Sunday evening, Alexis' timing in the tackle on a terrible playing surface helped set up his team for an opening day win against Sevilla. Three crucial interventions denied the visitors a clear shot at goal as he stood out at the back.
Jesus Gamez (Malaga)
The Andalucian outfit were not predicted to fair well against Atletico Madrid at La Rosaleda with many critics believing that Malaga would slump after an impressive return to the top flight last term. Gamez's huge contribution at the back though ensured that Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero were kept quiet.
Midfielders:
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
While the focus was firmly on the multi-million euro signings that los Merengues made this summer, it was a player that arrived quietly last January that stole the show. Diarra impressed in the second half of last season and he started this term in the same manner and capped his display with a great goal.
Seydou Keita (Barcelona)
Another Blaugrana player that played two hours of football on Friday and then produced a tireless performance against Sporting to spur coach Pep Guardiola into announcing that he would be a regular in the team this season. A great goal, an assist and a shot off the woodwork were the highlights of his game.
Adrian (Getafe)
In what was the performance of the week from one team in the Spanish top flight, Getafe shined in most areas but the central midfielder stood out for his work-rate, tackling and ability to push the side forward. Set up a goal and could well have added to the scoreline himself.
Duda (Malaga)
Why Sevilla agreed to let the 29-year-old leave this summer rather than provide the ammunition that was so clearly lacking in their first game will raise even more eyebrows after he produced a superb display to guide Malaga to victory. His passing and crossing from the left undid Atletico Madrid.
Forwards:
Gaizka Toquero (Athletic Club)
The relatively unknown striker will become a well-known name if he produces many more performances like the one that inspired Athletic to victory over Espanyol. As well as scoring the only goal, the 25-year-old was at the heart of everything that the hosts did well and will become a regular in the team.
Roberto Soldado (Getafe)
Real Madrid may have just spent a king's ransom on bolstering their attack, but a few fans may look across the city at the homegrown striker that escaped. Soldado's hat-trick for his team at Racing was as impressive as it was unsurprising given his undoubted talent that is coming out now he has the right stage.
Adrian - Keita - Lass - Duda
Toquero - Soldado
Real Madrid And Barcelona Name Squad Numbers
Posted On at at 8:58 PM by KOBERTThe squads can now be compared player by player after Madrid and Barca named their players for the season...
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both released their squad numbers for the new league season and the Blaugrana will have nobody wearing seven, while Rafael van der Vart has retained 23 at the Bernabeu.
While most supporters will already have their favourite player's name with the correct number on their new shirt there are some changes from last term.
At Camp Nou Daniel Alves has taken advantage of Martin Caceres' departure to Juventus to claim the number two jersey, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken over number nine from Samuel Eto'o.
No player will wear the number seven as the squad was lodged with the league only hours after Eidur Gudjohnsen left to join Monaco and saw no takers for his shirt.
At Madrid it is well known that Cristiano Ronaldo has gone the same route as David Beckham and not challenged Raul for seven, instead taking the number nine vacated by Javier Saviola.
Kaka has the number eight with Fernando Gago deciding that he prefers the number five jersey and newcomer Alvaro Arbeloa has claimed number two for himself after Michel Salgado left and Miguel Torres followed him out of the club.
When Madrid had made all their summer signings the club's hierarchy stated that they had to reduce the squad down to at least 25, but instead they have gone one better and joined Barca in only registering 24 players.
Barcelona
1 - Victor Valdes
2 - Dani Alves
3 - Gerard Pique
4 - Rafa Marquez
5 - Carles Puyol
6 - Xavi
8 - Andres Iniesta
9 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
10- Lionel Messi
11- Bojan
13- Jose Manuel Pinto
14- Thierry Henry
15- Seydou Keita
16- Sergio Busquets
17- Pedro
18- Gaby Milito
19- Maxwell
21- Dmytro Chygrynskiy
22- Eric Abidal
24- Toure Yaya
28- Jonathan
32- Andreu Fontas
33- Marc Muniesa
35- Jeffren Suarez
Real Madrid
1 - Iker Casillas
2 - Alvaro Arbeloa
3 - Pepe
4 - Sergio Ramos
5 - Fernando Gago
6 - Mahamadou Diarra
7 - Raul
8 - Kaka
9 - Cristiano Ronaldo
10- Lassana Diarra
11- Karim Benzema
12- Marcelo
13- Jerzy Dudek
14- Jose Maria Gutierrez ‘Guti’
15- Royston Drenthe
16-
17- Ruud van Nistelrooy
18- Raul Albiol
19- Ezequiel Garay
20- Gonzalo Higuain
21- Cristoph Metzelder
22- Xabi Alonso
23- Rafael van der Vaart
24- Esteban Granero
25- Antonio Adan (inscribed in the Champions League)
Gunners set to appeal Eduardo's "diving" ban
Posted On at at 10:36 AM by KOBERTAngry Arsenal look set to launch an appeal against UEFA's decision to hand striker Eduardo a two-match European ban for diving to win a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier.
Celtic's players confronted Eduardo after he won a penalty last Wednesday.
Eduardo did not appeal for a foul on the night, and UEFA have failed to rule on countless controversial incidents under their jurisdiction, with the Gunners themselves aggrieved following what was a dubious yet vital penalty awarded to Liverpool's Ryan Babel in the Champions League quarter-final two seasons ago.
The Premier League club now have three days to lodge an appeal against the suspension which, if upheld, would rule Eduardo out of the Champions League group matches away at Standard Liege on September 16 and the home match with Olympiacos on September 29.
"The club is disappointed with UEFA's decision to suspend Eduardo for two Champions League matches starting with Standard Liege on September 16," a statement from Arsenal read.
"We have been informed that we will receive a 'reasoned decision' from UEFA by Thursday of this week. Once we receive UEFA's rationale, we will make a decision on the next steps."
The statement continued: "We have been deeply frustrated by the perfunctory and apparently arbitrary process that UEFA has followed in this instance. We believe it is imperative that UEFA's explanation for its decision provides clear and comprehensive standards that will be consistently enforced. It is also critical that UEFA provides specific details of the processes it plans to adopt in reviewing all games under its jurisdiction."
2009 Formula One Race Schedule
Posted On Thursday, August 27, 2009 at at 9:40 PM by KOBERT| 2009 Schedule | ||||
| DATE | RACE | TV | RESULTS/TICKETS | |
| Tue, Mar. 31 2:00 AM ET | Foster's Australian Grand Prix Albert Park | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Apr. 5 8:00 AM ET | Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang International Circuit | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Apr. 19 3:00 AM ET | Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Apr. 26 8:00 AM ET | Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, May 10 8:00 AM ET | Grand Prix Of Spain Circuit De Catalunya | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, May 24 8:00 AM ET | Grand Prix Of Monaco Circuit De Monaco | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Jun. 7 8:00 AM ET | Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Racing Circuit | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Jun. 21 8:00 AM ET | Foster's British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Jul. 12 8:00 AM ET | Grosser Mobil 1 Grand Prix Of Germany Nurburgring | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Jul. 26 8:00 AM ET | Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Aug. 23 8:00 AM ET | Grand Prix Of Europe Valencia | Qualifying Speeds Starting Grid Race Results | ||
| Sun, Aug. 30 8:00 AM ET | Belgian Grand Prix Circuit Of Spa Francorchamps | Tickets Travel | ||
| Sun, Sep. 13 8:00 AM ET | Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza | Tickets Travel | ||
| Sun, Sep. 27 8:00 AM ET | Singapore Grand Prix Singapore Street Circuit | Tickets Travel | ||
| Sun, Oct. 4 1:00 AM ET | Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course | Tickets Travel | ||
| Sun, Oct. 18 Noon ET | Grand Prix Of Brazil Autodromo Carlos Pace | Tickets Travel | ||
| Sun, Nov. 1 6:00 AM ET | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit | Tickets Travel | ||
New Setting, Same Old Result
Posted On at at 9:37 PM by KOBERTTiger Woods helped out friend Notah Begay III by appearing at his event. Then he proceeded to clean up
VERONA, N.Y. -- Though just one round of golf in the middle of nowhere, upstate New York, the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge was a PGA Tour season in microcosm. If each hole was its own tournament -- and under the skins format this isn't much of a stretch -- the result was Tiger Woods winning the most, the most money, and was right there even in the ones he didn't win. Everybody else fired at flags, suffered streaks good and bad, and simply hoped to get lucky and steal one now and again.
In this shrunken world "everybody else" was well represented by Camilo Villegas, Mike Weir, and host NB3 (as the man who's made four cuts all year is occasionally known). Enjoying the rare casualness afforded by the format, each one raked away his share of lengthy par putts, even par chips. But every single number on Tiger's scorecard was stroke-play legit. On a day where the purpose was to have a few laughs and raise money for the noble cause of helping Native American youth, the man who has been atop the world ranking for the better part of 12 years refused to take even a single "oh, just mark me down for a four" moment. In winning nine skins for $230,000 and the handmade potted trophy, Tiger hit 17 greens in regulation, missed one fairway, and made eight birdies against one bogey to shoot 65. Granted the fairways of Turning Stone Resort's Atunyote course were as ample as its casino's buffets, Tiger was pretty much on the center stripe of each one.
At 7,482 yards, it was a robotic display of ball-striking. Had the tournament directors decided to make it Tiger versus the best ball of the trio in the interest of heightened drama, the match would've ended all square.
In addition to the fact Tiger had his A-game, the event was one of the best chances to witness Woods in action for another reason: the event's attendance was capped at 3,000. (The event raised money by a different tactic, selling only high-end resort ticket packages for $330 and up.) Three thousand might sound like a lot for a foursome, but in actuality, this spread so that the gallery was rarely deeper than three or four people at any given spot. Plus, any self-possessed fan that waited just one hole ahead was guaranteed a primo glimpse. Even better, though not necessarily for the players' concentration, was a miscommunication regarding which types of passes were allowed inside the ropes. By the 15th hole, over a hundred fans and mixed media were moving like a herd just paces behind the players. At the 16th tee, there came an announcement for the unwanted to step out, but by then it was too late for security to really materialize an effort.
The only negative to draw against Tiger would be that the day represented in microcosm, specifically, the 2009 PGA Tour season -- in that he slipped in the "majors." These proved to be the 14th hole (six skins worth $180,000 taken by Camilo) and the grand finale 18th hole (one skin worth $70,000 taken by NB3). Camilo's bundle actually propelled him temporarily into the lead, and it was at this precise moment the event's atmosphere switched from friendly to heated, like a game of ping-pong between brothers. Tiger's expression soured, and he rattled off three consecutive birdies on the ensuing holes, worth $50,000 each, to reclaim top position.
In footnote, Weirsy, as affectionately addressed by Tiger throughout the day, got shut out. Though the Canadian played fairly steadily, his 25-footers for birdie just weren't dropping.
The event raised $750,000 for Notah's foundation, the mission of which is to reduce the incidence of obesity in Native American youth. Matt Ramirez, the teenage youth chairman of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, who was invited from California to serve as a standard-bearer for the day, said, "Diabetes is killing a lot of us. The purpose is to create more athletic programs, soccer, golf, whatever, so that kids can be active."
That there existed a higher purpose to the day than just golf was echoed in Tiger's victory speech. "I'm so proud of Notah as a friend," said Tiger of his former Stanford teammate. "We understand that he's trying to create awareness about diabetes, obesity, and we look forward to coming back next year."
What Tiger would not elaborate on, however, was the upcoming FedEx Cup. Could a $10 million fall bonus ease the pain of losing the final round lead at the PGA Championship? Would it make the long wait until next year's Masters that much easier? In cosmic retrospection, did he feel he had played Yin to Y.E.'s Yang? These questions, and other ones like them, remained unanswered as Tiger was whisked away a mere shoe-change's time after the round.
So at the conclusion of this not-quite-a-real victory, the adorably makeshift interview tent, replete with stage, microphones, cameras and rows of white folding chairs, was mostly for naught. There was no winner around to be interviewed. Maybe we'll catch him at The Barclays.
Fergie: Man United face tough trips in Europe
Posted On at at 9:31 PM by KOBERTSir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United face a stern test in this season's Champions League after a tough-looking draw in the group stage.
Ferguson thinks United will have to be at their best.
United were drawn in Group B with the prospect of long-distance trips to Besiktas in Turkey and CSKA Moscow as well as strong opponents in German champions Wolfsburg.
Ferguson is not a fan of long away trips in Europe, and he told the club's official website: ''These are difficult ties especially the trips to Russia and Turkey. CSKA have developed strongly in the last few years and games in Turkey are always difficult.
''We also know the quality that we're up against with Wolfsburg, with what they achieved in the Bundesliga last season.''
Avoiding such tiring trips was top of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez's wishlist, and he was grateful that at least was granted.
''The important thing as always is that the travelling isn't too bad, we don't have too far to go for any of the games,'' said the Liverpool manager. ''Lyon might not have won the league last season but before that they won it many years in a row, so we know they have lots of good players who can play good football,'' he told the club's official website.
''Fiorentina are an historic club and if Debreceni have won their league then we know it means it's because they're a good side.''
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis insisted the Gunners would not be complacent but that - having been written off by many people this summer - they were targeting the final in Madrid in May.
Gazidis said: ''A lot of people might say we are the favourites to win this group but we have not played any of these teams before and they are all champions of their respective leagues.
''Our ambition is to become the first London club to win the Champions League. We have believed in ourselves through this close season even though we have been written off and a lot of pressure has been placed on us. One of things we have this year is real focus game-to-game and I think if we can maintain that we can achieve great things.''
Meanwhile, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was happy to have avoided the continental big guns.
He said: ''As a group there's not much travel and generally we have to be happy with the draw. There will plenty of glamour ties once you get through this group, but we have to get through this stage first.
''I'm sure Carlo Ancelotti will be happy - he's had a great start to the season, he's very happy with squad and we have great strength in depth so winning that final still beckons.''
Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said their position as second seeds had given the Scottish champions a great boost.
''That was a great accolade and a lot of other clubs were looking up to us and being a bit envious,'' he said. ''There is obvious quality in the group - Sevilla were UEFA Cup winners twice in the last four years, and we have played Stuttgart twice before so we know they are strong.
''We showed when we got to the UEFA Cup final last year ago what can be achieved in Europe when you put your mind to it and we will certainly aim to do that.''
Controversial Eduardo penalty
Posted On Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at at 7:56 PM by KOBERT
The cost of failure, both financial and in sporting terms, would have been immeasurable on the Gunners, who have consistently competed among the elite clubs of European football for more than a decade.
However, manager Arsene Wenger knows maintaining such a level will prove the biggest challenge ahead this season for his young Arsenal side, which tonight coped admirably without injured captain Cesc Fabregas and took the lead in the first half when Croatia striker Eduardo converted from the spot after he had gone down somewhat lightly under a sliding challenge by Celtic keeper Artur Boruc.
Emmanuel Eboue made sure there would be no comeback for Tony Mowbray's side with a neat finish after 53 minutes before substitute Andrey Arshavin slotted in a third to complete a 5-1 aggregate win.
Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati volleyed home a superb consolation goal in stoppage time.
For now, at least, the likes of Manchester City must sit and watch as Arsenal will take their place in the pot for Thursday`s group stage draw in the millionaire's playground of Monaco, with expectations once again set high the Gunners can go one better than the semi-final appearance last season.
Celtic, meanwhile, may be giants in Scottish football, but dropping into the Europa League will prove little consolation for the missed revenue and big-match experience.
Arsenal had the luxury of a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Glasgow, and so Wenger decided to start with Robin van Persie and Arshavin on the bench.
However, the front two of Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner still provided plenty of movement, combining to set up a chance for the Brazil-born Croat after nine minutes.
Eduardo was unable to stab the ball home at the far post after Boruc had palmed away Bendtner's close-range flick.
Celtic boss Tony Mowbray named an unchanged XI from the side which defeated St Johnstone 5-2 last time out, and knew his men would have to take the game to Arsenal if they were to stand any chance of progress.
The Bhoys looked to make the most of the counter-attack, but too often delivery was poor following good build-up.
The much-maligned Eboue had been pressed into a more advanced midfield role tonight, and almost opened the scoring with a shot on the turn from the edge of the Celtic area.
After 29 minutes, Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Eduardo went down following what looked minimal contact at best by Boruc after he skipped into the left side of the box.
It was, though, enough to convince Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez, which was all that mattered - and Eduardo was certainly not worried by chants of "cheat'' from the massed ranks of green behind the goal.
The Croatia striker, set to face England in next month's crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley, stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way - and all but kill off the tie.
Celtic were clearly aggrieved, and for a spell lost composure.
It was not the Scots' lucky night, as Scott McDonald saw his far post tap-in ruled out by an offside flag with four minutes left of the first half.
In stoppage time, Boruc was at full stretch to push Eduardo's curling 20-yard effort around the post.
The Croatian - who on another night could easily have netted a hat-trick by now - was on the end of a quick break and some neat footwork found himself space on the edge of the area, only to scuff a shot wide.
After 53 minutes, Eboue showed Eduardo how it was done, drilling a low shot past Boruc following more neat build-up from a clever flick by Bendtner and Abou Diaby's centre.
Arshavin was introduced for the final 20 minutes, along with teenager Jack Wilshere, the latest off the production line at London Colney.
The Russian netted his first Champions League goal for Arsenal after a neat turn and finish after collecting Wilshere's pass after 74 minutes.
Donati salvaged some wounded pride in stoppage time with a stunning volley in off the post from Andreas Hinkel's right-wing cross.
Next up for Arsenal is the small matter of a trip to Manchester United. There Wenger's youngsters will face another stern test of character - which so far this season have all been answered.
FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA)
Posted On at at 10:01 AM by KOBERT
President: Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland)
General Secretary: Urs Linsi (Switzerland)
Address: FIFA, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box
8044 Zurich, Switzerland
Telephone: 41-(0)43-222 7777
Telefax: 41-(0)43-222 7878
Internet: www.FIFA.com
This Month Best Super Star In Sport Update 2u
Posted On at at 9:55 AM by KOBERTValentino Rossi
| Valentino Rossi | |
|---|---|
 Valentino Rossi | |
| Nationality |  Italian |
| Date of birth | February 16, 1979 |
| Place of birth | Urbino, Italy |
| Website | fanclubvalentinorossi.com |
| MotoGP Record | |
| Current team | Fiat Yamaha Team |
| Bike number | 46 |
| Championships | 8 125cc - 1997 250cc - 1999 500cc - 2001 MotoGP - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 |
| Race starts | 221 |
| Wins | 102 |
| Podium finishes | 160 |
| Pole positions | 56 |
| Fastest laps | 80 |
| Points | 3932 |
| 2009 championship position | 1st (212 pts) |
Valentino Rossi, (born February 16, 1979 in Urbino),[1] is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is the most successful motorcycle racer of all time, with 8 Grand Prix World Championships to his name. According to Sports Illustrated, Rossi is one of the highest earning sports personalities in the world, having earned an estimated $34 million in 2007.[2]
Following his father, Graziano Rossi, Rossi started racing in Grand Prix in 1996 for Aprilia in the 125cc category and won his first World Championship the following year. From there, he moved up to the 250cc category with Aprilia and won the 250cc World Championship in 1999. He won the 500cc World Championship with Honda in 2001, the MotoGP World Championships (also with Honda) in 2002 and 2003, and continued his streak of back-to-back championships by winning the 2004 and 2005 titles after leaving Honda to join Yamaha, before regaining the title in 2008.
GROUP FOR MALAYSIAN CUP 2009
Posted On at at 9:49 AM by KOBERT Perlis GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D GROUP E
GROUP A
PLUS FC
Pahang
Melaka
Terengganu
Negri Sembilan
Johor
Sarawak
Johor FC
Perak
MyTeam
Kuala Lumpur
Selangor
Kuala Muda NAZA
PDRM
Sabah
Kedah
Kelantan
Pulau Pinang
ATM
