The draw for the final stages of the UEFA Women's Champions League is held in Nyon at 13.30CET on Tuesday and streamed live on UEFA.com.Eight teams remain in contention to lift the trophy at Stamford Bridge on 23 May with Olympique Lyonnais in good shape for an unprecedented third consecutive triumph. France, like Sweden, provides two quarter-finalists, and while Arsenal LFC are in this stage for a record 11th time, FC Rossiyanka and ASD Torres CF have never before made it past this round and the sole remaining debutants, VfL Wolfsburg, are many people's tip as Lyon's strongest challengers. UEFA.com profiles the quarter-finalists.Tournament calendarQuarter-finals: 20/21 & 27/28 MarchSemi-finals: 13/14 & 20/21 AprilFinal (Stamford Bridge): 23 MayArsenal LFC (ENG)Best performance: winners
Football Update
‘Always pressure’ for Mancini’s Manchester City
With Manchester City FC's UEFA Champions League campaign on life support, manager Roberto Mancini is feeling the pressure ahead of the Group D visit of Real Madrid CF. Up against "one of the best teams in the world", Mancini wants his side to salvage their pride and spoil the occasion for José Mourinho, who is taking charge of his 100th game in Europe's premier club competition.CityRoberto Mancini, managerMaybe it takes pressure off [that we're outsiders to progress], but when you're obliged to win and you play an important game like this in the Champions League there's always pressure. We don't have much chance to go through but it's important to put in a good performance. It was a difficult group
Thrills aplenty as Brazil are crowned
© Getty ImagesThe FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 came to a thrilling and fitting climax in a dramatic final between the two powerhouses of the sport, with Brazil - already the world's most successful futsal nation - edging out Spain and successfully defending the global crown they won in 2008. The South Americans literally struck in the final minute to win the encounter at Bangkok's Huamark Indoor Stadium 3-2, match-winner Neto scoring the conclusive goal 19 seconds from the end. Brazil thus add a fifth world title to their previous triumphs in 1989, 1992, 1996 and 2008.In the match for third place, Italy claimed the final podium berth with a 3-0 victory over Colombia. There were no goals in the first
Wenger has no regrets over Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Arsene Wenger says he does not regret the decision to ask Zlatan Ibrahimovic to undergo a trial with Arsenal despite missing out on one of the world's finest strikers. PA PhotosZlatan Ibrahimovic scores a stunning overhead kick to seal Sweden's 4-2 victory over England • Blog: Ibra, the Marmite Man• Arsenal v Tottenham preview Wenger welcomed a youthful Ibrahimovic to the Arsenal training ground more than a decade ago, but the forward ultimately ended up moving to Ajax as he told the Gunners boss: "Zlatan doesn't do trials." Ibrahimovic told journalists in France this week that he "then gave me one of his funny Wenger looks". Wenger said at his press conference: "He was here at the training ground many years ago, but he went somewhere else
Barcelona stars praise Celtic atmosphere
Celtic 2-1 Barcelona By Dermot Corrigan, Spain Correspondent Barcelona's Tito Vilanova and Xavi Hernandez were full of praise for the atmosphere inside Celtic Park after the Catalans were defeated 2-1 in Wednesday evening's Champions League Group G clash. PA PhotosCeltic fans provided one of the best atmospheres in Europe • Blog: 125 years of history A capacity 60,000 crowd at Celtic Park cheered the home side throughout, on an occasion packed with meaning and emotion as the Scottish club marked its 125th anniversary. Although both disappointed to have lost the game, despite dominating in terms of chances and possession, the Catalan coach and player were full of praise for atmosphere inside the stadium and the support given by Celtic's supporters to their players. "The stadium was spectacular," Vilanova
Meireles absent for Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Raul Meireles will miss both of his side's UEFA Europa League fixtures against AEL Limassol FC after suffering a thigh injury on international duty.The 29-year-old picked up the problem during Portugal's 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying loss in Russia on Friday and is out for a month. That means Meireles will not travel to Cyprus on 25 October or play in the home return a fortnight later as Fenerbahçe look to maintain their good start in Group C, where they have taken four points from two games.Available against AEL next week will be right-back Gökhan Gönül, who left the Turkey squad on Sunday with a thigh problem but is fit to play against Bursaspor this weekend. Mehmet
Tears and joy as curtain comes down
© Getty ImagesTHE DAY REPLAYED - The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2012 in Azerbaijan came to a fitting end on Saturday with a tense and thrilling final between France and Korea DPR. The sides could not be separated in normal time, but Les Bleuettes finally overcame the determined and skilful Asians on penalties to seal their maiden triumph in this tournament. The Europeans were worthy champions too, as they won four, drew two, and lost none of their six matches. That represents tournament play of the highest order, also reflected in the award of the adidas Golden Ball for the best player to outstanding defender Griedge Mbock Bathy. Earlier in the day, Ghana made history as Mas-Ud Dramani’s side