THE BEST SOCCER PLAYERS

The Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri yesterday announced on his website that he has signed a four-year contract with Arsenal although his agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, later said, "It is premature to announce this. Discussions are continuing between the two clubs and the player." Arsenal have yet to confirm the deal. Samir Nasri was born 26 June 1987 in Marseille, is a French attacking midfielder currently playing for Marseille. He play for Marseille since at 9 yeras old. He has been involved in the French national set up for a long time, progressing through the Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s and 21s. He won his promotion to the full national squad this year, to which he has been called up three times. Nasri scored his first senior international goal in his third appearance for the senior team in a 1-0 win for France against Georgia on June 6, 2007 in a EURO 2008 qualifier. He received his first cap for France on March 28, 2007 against Austria, in a home friendly match at the age of 1

Turkey captain Emre Belozoglu is still unfit and will not play in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany, coach Fatih Terim said. The midfielder suffered a hamstring tear following the opening group defeat by Portugal and had been rated 50/50 to recover in time for the Basel match. 'With Emre, it's impossible for him to play,' the coach said on Tuesday, adding that midfielder Tumer Metin, who has a groin strain, may be able to play for the last 30 minutes. Emre Belözoğlu was born at 7 September 1980 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is currently a midfielder for English Premier League club Newcastle United. He is one of the most accomplished Turkish players of all time, being instrumental in Galatasaray's unbeaten run to a historic UEFA Cup victory in 2000, and UEFA Super Cup victory the same year. He is also a member of the Turkey national team, which he helped to a third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup. In 2004, Emre was selected to the FIFA 100 by Pelé as one

Germany captain Michael Ballack is refusing to under-estimate Turkey's 'never-say-die' attitude ahead of the Euro 2008 semi-finals. Turkey are arguably the surprise package in the last four of the European Championship after sneaking through Group A with a last-gasp victory over Czech Republic and stunning Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals. And, after incorrectly tipping world champions Italy, France, Portugal and Croatia ahead of the tournament, Ballack is wary that Germany could become the latest surprise elimination. Turkey have been decimated by injuries and suspensions to leave manager Fatih Terim struggling for options ahead of the meeting in Basel on Wednesday, but Ballack still expects a stern test. "I admit I was utterly wrong with my predictions," said Ballack. Mental strength "But the only important thing is that we have a major chance to go through to the final. "We know Turkey are missing a lot of players through injury and suspens

Colin Kazim-Richards is hopeful Turkey can upset Germany on their way to Euro 2008 glory. Kazim-Richards and his team-mates are preparing for Wednesday's semi-final against Germany as Turkey look to cause another shock in Austria and Switzerland. Turkey, who have been badly hit by injuries and suspension, sneaked through Group A with a last-gasp victory over Czech Republic and then stunned Croatia in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out. Colin Kazim-Richards, also known as Colin Kâzım or Kâzım Kâzım in Turkey, (born 26 August 1986 in Leytonstone, London) is an English-born footballer who plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkcell Super League and internationally for Turkey having qualified for Turkish nationality from his mother who is of Turkish Cypriot descent. His father is of Antiguan descent. He is now looking forward to stunning pre-tournament favourites Germany. Dream "It's amazing," Kazim-Richards said in The Times. "I'm not only Turkish, I'm English as we

Germany striker Lukas Podolski is putting transfer talk on hold until the conclusion of Euro 2008. The Bayern Munich striker reported looking to leave Bayern Munich after admitting his fear that the club do not rate him. Podolski is currently enjoying a fine European Championships with Germany, having netted three goals along the country's route to the semi-finals. But at the Allianz Arena the 23-year-old has admitted he is frustrated at playing a bit-part role. Podolski has struggled to force his way into the starting XI at the Allianz Arena and has had to settle for often being back-up to Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni. Bayern have also been linked with a summer move for his international team-mate Mario Gomez, leaving Podolski to conclude that he is surplus to requirements. A number of European clubs, including Stuttgart, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham, are reportedly monitoring the forward's situation. However, Podolski is focused on helping Germany progress to the Eu

Cesc Fabregas has spoken of his joy at sending Spain into the semi-finals of Euro 2008, while confirming that he will remain at Arsenal. Fabregas, on as a substitute, netted from the penalty spot as Spain claimed a shoot-out victory over world champions Italy on Sunday evening. And the 21-year-old schemer is sure Luis Aragones' men have what it takes to advance past Russia on Thursday and go on to claim European Championship glory. On his penalty, Fabregas told Sky Sports News , "It was a great feeling. It was probably the most important goal I have scored." Arsenal likeness "As a footballer you never know if you are going to feel like this again. The team has worked really hard to get here. It reminds me a little bit of Arsenal: the unity of the team, the togetherness, the quality of our game and the great players. I think we can do something special. The semi-final is going to be difficult because Russia are a great team. They are very competitive and young. We w

Hamit Altıntop is looking further forward than a semi-final reunion with a number of his FC Bayern Munchen team-mates after helping Turkey defeat Croatia in an epic last-eight tie in Vienna. "If we believe in ourselves we can win the tournament," said the Carlsberg Man of the Match award winner. The midfielder covered more ground than any other player – 14.21kms – and came into his own in an unfamiliar role as Turkey's playmaker following the 76th-minute substitution of Mehmet Topal for Semih Şentürk. Semih went on to rifle in a last-second equaliser after Ivan Klasnić had scored 29 minutes into extra time for the Croatians, prompting a shoot-out which the side in red won 3-1. Hamit, who drilled in Turkey's third penalty, said: "We played well as a team and reaching the semi-final is the important thing. It's vital to be cold-blooded in shoot-outs – you mustn't show nerves in football. If we carry on this way, and believe in ourselves, we can win the tour

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas is keeping his feet firmly on the ground after proving Spain's saviour in their UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final shoot-out victory against Italy. The Carlsberg Man of the Match saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale to help his side into a semi-final against Russia, but later admitted fearing Spain would suffer a seventh last-eight exit in this competition. "It's true we had a few inner doubts about getting past the quarter-finals again," the 27-year-old said. "There was a lot of pressure on us to do it but I think we deserved it, even though it was a very hard match. We held out until penalties and, in the end, everything turned out well for us and we're through." The Real Madrid CF player knows that two more wins are required if Spain are to clinch their first major title since the European crown of 1964 – and that Thursday's semi-final opponents Russia will present a sterner challenge than in their opening

On the eve of the UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final between the sides in Vienna, Spain defender Carles Puyol paid fulsome tribute to the winning mentality of Italian footballers as he acknowledged that one of the biggest tests of his career lies ahead. Excluding Olympic Games, Spain have never beaten the Azzurri in a competitive fixture yet, with David Villa's goal earning them a 1-0 friendly victory at the end of March and their form in the group stage – taking maximum points as Italy struggled to progress – the momentum would seem to be with La Furia Roja this time round. As a close friend of former FC Barcelona and Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini, and a long-standing admirer of Paolo Maldini, Puyol does not expect it to be that simple, explaining: "I admire the Italian footballing mentality. Every Italian player always plays to his absolute maximum and I love that in sport." Albertini, now vice-president of the Italian Football Federation, spent a year alongside Puyol a

Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso has said he is "fascinated" by Italian football as his Liverpool future remains in doubt with Juve leading the pack to sign him. The playmaker is currently playing a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2008 campaign preparing to face Italy and with the Serie A side chasing his signature, Alonso could be also facing several future Juventus team-mates during the quarter-final tie. But the 26-year-old is giving nothing away, remaining calm about his club commitments and fully focused on Spain's progression into the final four. "I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain," the �16million-rated midfielder said. "We'll see what will happen with Juve. It's difficult to say. Fascinated "I've spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian football. "However, it's too soon to talk