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Rodney Sneijder

Martin Jol has signed a two year deal with HS Hamburg. The former Spurs manager will earn a lousy 2 Mio Euros per season making him the biggest paid coach in Hamburg ever (Huub Stevens earned 1.2 Mio euros). Zelkjo Petrovic – former PSV and Valencia player and ex-RKC coach – will join him as his assistant, as will Martin’s brother Cock.

U17 Oranje lost the semi finals match against Spain, 2-1. The Spanish side scored a beauty of a winner in extra time. After normal 90 minutes, the scorre was 1-1, with the Dutch goal a header by Rodney Sneijder (Wes’ little bro’). Spain will meet France in the finals, who beat hosts Turkey after spot kicks.
Signs of things to come? Spain – France doesn’t seem to be a bad finals and if Oranje makes it till the semis I wouldn’t be too depressed.

Swedish team manager Lagerback called upon 36 years old Henke Larsson to create magic at the EC. The former Feyenoord, Celtic and Barca star hadn’t been part of the Swedish squad since the last WC. Rasmus Lindgren (Ajac) and Marcus Berg (FC Groningen) will not be needed.

Barcelona has allowed Lionel Messi to go to the Olympics with the Argentiinian squad in August. The young Barca star dreams of playing in Bejing, after his country won gold last time around. Although it will disrupt Barca’s prep on their important “season after this season”, the club management feels it can’t deny Messi this opportunity.

Arsene Wenger stated that Robin van Persie is world class, on the Arsenal website. The French coach declared that he has 100% faith in Robin and dismissed his injury prone season as an “unlucky string of coincidences”. Wenger: “He’s just had some bad luck. I wouldn’t call Robin injury-prone or over-sensitive. He is top top class, when he is fit he is among the best in the world. I have only one wish for next season and that is that he will stay fit.”

Jan Reker is cleaning house at PSV. Both Stan Valckx (manager football affairs) and super-scout Piet de Visser have been sacked after their criticism on the PSV manager. Goalie Gomes, who started the publicity onslaught, will be given a second chance. It remains to be seen however, whether the Brazilian spiderman wants that chance.