Daily News Channel
As any of the millions of young people who have roamed the Continent with a pack on their back and Eurail pass in hand can attest, there is something quintessentially European about traveling by train. Or was.
Rick Steves, perhaps America’s most accomplished European tourist, was looking for a cheap but charming steak place in the ancient Tuscan town of Montepulciano last month. Following a local lead, he ducked into an osteria he’d never noticed before: a vaulted medieval cellar jammed with locals sitting at a common table. A man worked an open fire at the back of the room.
If you just look at the balance sheets of Europe’s top football clubs, it’s no surprise that Barcelona and Manchester United are in the Champions League final. Let’s start first with United. In that past decade, The English Premier League has exploded in terms of world wide popularity and revenue
Roger Federer has exclusively told CNN he feels he could beat reigning champion Rafael Nadal at this year’s French Open in Paris, because despite winning the last four tournaments the Spaniard is "only human." The world number two is hoping this year will prove to be a turning point after suffering three consecutive final defeats to Nadal at Roland Garros. “He’s won four straight times here in Paris which shows how tough he is, but if you play him the right way there will be chances, he is only human and we wait for that moment when he is not at his best; hopefully that will be this year,” the Swiss said. The 27-year-old certainly started the right way if he is to mount a succesful challenge, beating Alberto Martin 6-4 6-3 6-2 in under two hours to advance to the second round, setting up a clash with either Jose Acasuso or Santiago Ventura.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola paid the price for fielding a team of reserves as his Primera Liga champions suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Osasuna on Saturday night. With one eye firmly on Wednesday’s Champions League final, Walter Pandiani’s goal proved enough for relegation-threatened Osasuna to pick up a crucial three points — although they remain in the relegation zone with just one match remaining
World tennis number two Roger Federer has given his fans some hope that this year could be the year he finally conquers all at Roland Garros. The 27-year-old from Switzerland has won 13 Grand Slam titles, but never the clay court-contested French Open. Federer’s nemesis, Rafael Nadal, has already claimed the Australian Open in a strong start to 2009, and his preparations towards a fifth consecutive French Open title seemed to be all in order until the Swiss player struck at the Madrid Open this week
Cristiano Ronaldo moved to end speculation about his Manchester United future by dropping a clear hint that he intends to stay at Old Trafford. The World Player of the Year has been consistently linked with a switch to Real Madrid and looked set for a move to the Bernabeu last summer before pledging his future to United where he is contracted until 2012. With Florentino Perez pledging to build a new superteam as part of his campaign to be elected Real Madrid club president, inevitably talk has turned to a new bid to sign the Portuguese star.
Samuel Eto’o missed a penalty as Barcelona’s title celebrations fell flat on Sunday when they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca 24 hours after becoming Spanish champions. Real Madrid’s 3-2 reversal against Villarreal on Saturday night handed the Catalan side the Primera Liga crown for the first time since 2006 — and expectations were high of a showcase of Barca’s attacking skills.
Second seed Roger Federer won his first title of 2009 after stunning world number one and clay-court king Rafael Nadal in straight sets in front of his own fans in the final of the Madrid Masters on Sunday. Swiss ace Federer, who had won 57 career titles but was without a tournament victory since winning on home soil in Basle last October, took the honors 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 26 minutes. The win also ended a remarkable run of success on clay for world number one Nadal, who was unable to repeat his heroics from Saturday’s epic semifinal against Novak Djokovic when he fought back from the brink to win a gruelling battle 3-6 7-6 7-6 in four hours and three minutes, saving three match points along the way.
Inter Milan claimed their fourth successive Scudetto on Saturday night without kicking a ball, after AC Milan were beaten 2-1 by Udinese. The Rossoneri began the day seven points behind the Serie A leaders and needed at least a draw to keep alive their slims hopes of taking the trophy from their city rivals. But Udinese proved too strong at their Stadio Friuli and defeat means Carlo Ancelotti’s men can no longer catch Inter at the top of the table