Latest news with #Euro2008
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
21 superstars who worship at the 'Cathedral' of football – Celtic atmosphere ranked and rated by Messi and VIPs
The Hoops' home is regarded by a gallery of the finest players of this generation as the best in the world Tales of the legendary atmosphere at Celtic Park on a Champions League night have been reverberated around the world, with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among the mega names who have wowed at the old ground down the years. And the latest gushing appraisal has come from former Lyon and France hero Gregory Coupet, who has described the sheer crescendo of noise upon walking out at Parkhead as a 'cathedral effect'. The seven-time Ligue 1 winner was between the posts when Lyon made the trip to Glasgow for a Champions League group stage tie in September 2003. The stopper kept out a penalty from Alan Thompson but was beaten by goals from Liam Miller and Chris Sutton in either half as Martin O'Neill's Celtic ran out 2-0 winners. Coupet played in many of the world's top stadiums during his 27-year-long playing career, winning 34 caps for France, including three outings at Euro 2008. But the Frenchman is in no doubt that his visit to Celtic Park that night was the most magical experience he ever had on a football pitch. He recently told L'Equipe: "I put Celtic above all because there is a cathedral effect, magnificent chants, no animosity. It's magical." The former stopper has joined a long list of illustrious names who have marvelled about the atmosphere in the East End and Record Sport has delved into the archives to recall the ultimate recognition for one of European football's most iconic grounds. Celtic's iconic atmosphere in quotes Xavi "The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtic's stadium for our visit was the most impressive I've ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was the best." 'When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn't matter how many big games you have played in. "Walking out into that atmosphere is always intense. I don't think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played." Paolo Maldini "Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it." Lionel Messi "I've been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic. The atmosphere their fans create make it a very special European night of football." Nemanja Vidic 'Every game I have played in Turkey stands out for passion created by the fans – but the best has been at Celtic Park." Oliver Kahn "The atmosphere here tonight was unbelievable and it's an honour to play in such an arena." Cesc Fabregas 'Celtic has great commitment and those supporters behind them gives them a chance against anyone. We knew what we were coming into and what we would be up against. For me it is always special to play in that fantastic stadium and to experience that atmosphere. We were privileged to be there.' Gianluigi Buffon "Playing in the Champions League allows you to experience the most exciting venues in Europe. And when you are young, you take it for granted because many other experiences lie in front of you. But the older you become, you understand that there are things that you may not experience again." Steven Gerrard "The incredible thing was the people, for an opposition player it is quite incredible, I have not seen a better atmosphere from the grounds I have visited." Owen Hargreaves "When we played at Celtic Park for Bayern in the Champions League it was unbelievable and I think all our players said the same thing afterwards. The atmosphere was just totally unique. I've played in lots of big games and stadiums but I've never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes." Santiago Canizares "The Celtic fans are amazing in the way they get behind their team." Gerard Pique "The atmosphere at Celtic Park is the best in Europe." Karl-Heinz Ruminegge "That was a football experience of pure culture. Throughout the night we felt goosebumps. It was an atmosphere that felt a bit like the old days. It was a terrific night." "I was being asked several times which (away) stadium is my favourite. And there is a new number one, I can tell you, Celtic Park. It has been just crazy! We came out, and the atmosphere was good. The Champions League anthem started, and I thought the stadium was going to collapse. Unbelievable, I had never experienced anything like that." Frank De Boer "It's up there with Madrid and Camp Nou. They are an example how to run a club." Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'Then when I got out on the pitch and the match began, I tried to communicate with my team but I heard nothing. The audience had such a mood. I did not hear what my teammates said if they called me because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It's probably the best I have seen on the pitch.' Cristiano Ronaldo "The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there." Andres Iniesta "The Celtic fans are very special and the club and players can be very proud of them. They are the best I have ever heard." Wayne Rooney 'It is inspiring and intimidating. It's a stadium with a particular atmosphere you want to experience as a player.' Eidur Gudjohnson "When I signed for Bolton they presented me to the crowd before the Jimmy Phillips testimonial. The Celtic fans made an impression on me because there were more of them than Bolton supporters at that game. Celtic are popular for testimonials because everyone knows they will fill the stadium - and I've always had great admiration of them. Their fans have a reputation as one of the best and that's on merit because of the great atmosphere they create." Samuel Eto'o "This place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, there is nowhere like it in football, and I can see how the people love to play here and speak so highly of it."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Video: Pepe Reina announces retirement decision at 42 years old
Como goalkeeper Pepe Reina, formerly of Napoli, Milan, Lazio, Liverpool and Barcelona, has announced that he will be retiring from professional football at the age of 42 this summer in order to explore new opportunities as a coach: 'The time has come'. Reina, who has made 12 appearances across all competitions for newly-promoted Como in 2024-25, 11 in Serie A, will be calling it a day at the end of the current campaign. Advertisement The veteran stopper will turn 43 at the end of August, but felt that he still had 'more to offer' in the 2024-25 campaign. He admitted that there was a nervous moment last summer after leaving Villarreal as a free agent, as he 'couldn't find a project' that 'excited' him, but in the end, he joined Como in Serie A, coached by his former international colleague Cesc Fabregas. COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Pepe Reina of Como 1907 ahead of the Serie A match between Como and Bologna at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on September 14, 2024 in Como, Italy. (Photo by) Both Fabregas and Reina were part of the Spain national team squads that won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 in back-to-back-to-back major international competitions. Reina has also turned out for a selection of high-profile clubs across Europe throughout his career, beginning in the youth ranks at Barcelona, before joining Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Milan, Aston Villa and most recently Como. Advertisement The Spaniard has made 953 competitive appearances across all competitions at club level, plus 35 caps for the Spain national team. His final game in club football will be in a potential Serie A title decider between Como and second-placed Inter on Friday night. Video: Reina announces retirement plans 'Se acaba una carrera muy bonita'.@PReina25 cuelga los guantes 👋🧤. — Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) May 19, 2025 'A beautiful career is ending, a complete life,' Reina revealed in an interview with Movistar. 'I feel very lucky for what I've experienced, it's been a lot of years. I didn't expect it, but I think the time has come and I want to end it here. MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: Pepe Reina of Como 1907 looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) 'There was a moment where I had a hard time last summer because I couldn't find a project that excited me. I had more to offer and this year has been the one that has made me see that I'm done now, in the sense that I no longer have much to offer from this position. Advertisement 'I am very lucky, it has been a privilege.' Reina has also recently disclosed that he plans to begin a career as a coach from next season onwards. He has not yet revealed which club he intends to join, but has hinted that he will be a youth-team coach initially, rather than in a first team, due to his current lack of coaching licenses.
The Courier
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
JIM SPENCE: Dundee FC should build new stadium at Caird Park if Camperdown plans fall through
Dundee FC should look at Caird Park for the site of their proposed new stadium. Cairdy v Campy has only one winner in my view. A lot of work has gone into the planning for the Camperdown site but, with the council closing the golf course at Cairdy, a much better solution to the long-running saga of the Dark Blues' new ground may just have opened up. Caird Park is a much more central location for most fans and it was already previously earmarked for a joint stadium when Scotland was bidding for Euro 2008. City rivals Dundee and United agreed to put rivalries aside and build a 30,000-seater stadium there costing £30 million as part of Scotland's bid to host the tournament. The Courier reported at the time that one of the main hurdles was the legally-binding conditions which made it clear the land was to be used only as a public park and for recreational purposes for 'all time coming'. But if there were potential ways around that roadblock, then there may be detours available now too. The golfers at Caird Park also objected but that's no longer an issue with the course closed by the short-sightedness of the council. Road and access issues would obviously have to be overcome, just as they would at Camperdown, but those cannot be insurmountable. As my fellow columnist Steve Finan pointed out, the council appears clueless as to any future use for the park so why not take the opportunity to make the most of it for a modern age and bring a new stadium into a central location? With Dundee City Council retreating from providing any golf facilities in the city, they appear to have limited interest in providing sports facilities. Why not accept that private provision or perhaps a partnership with Dundee FC may be a solution here? It would make far more sense to utilise Caird Park as a sporting hub (The Regional Performance Centre and the Mark Stewart Velodrome already occupy part of the park) than leaving it to become an overgrown wasteland for car thieves and joyriders. With a hotel, crematorium and housing in the plans anyway for the Camperdown site, it would still provide an economic lift for the city. An obvious, and sensible, proposal – just like the 2008 plans – would be for both city clubs to share any new ground but that ship has long since sailed. The parochial thinking and small-mindedness which bedevils Scotland means that's a non-starter, despite the obvious common sense of such a project. However, there's more than sufficient room to incorporate new training facilities, which could also be used by the public. Dundee and the council have already agreed to such a proposal at Riverside but Caird Park would be a better base than the west end of the city. Cairdy would also solve the parking problems attached to the Camperdown project, with a huge amount of space available to facilitate cars and coaches. As a city we've too often lacked ambition. The site at Camperdown is a small footprint to squeeze all the elements of the new Dundee stadium into, but Caird Park could accommodate them with room to spare. It may be that Camperdown is too far advanced to renege on it now. If there is still time, though, Caird Park is a far better solution for a new stadium.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Match of the Day pundit just disappeared from TV as he reveals new life
Former Match of the Day pundit Gavin Peacock has opened up on his new life after quitting television to start a very different career. The ex-footballer enjoyed a successful 17-year playing career, representing the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and QPR before moving into broadcasting following his retirement from the game. He quickly became one of the most recognisable TV pundits in the 2000s, regularly appearing on Football Focus and Final Score as well as Match of the Day. Peacock also commentated on the BBC's coverage of major tournaments including the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 - but when the latter came to an end, he decided to hang up his microphone for good and embark on a completely different career thousands of miles away. READ MORE: World Snooker Championship final referee quits Crucible officiating as she sends classy message READ MORE: Cardiff City hire ex-Man City and Rangers chief as Dalman reveals manager plan Since he was 18 years old, the former attacking midfielder has been a Christian, having started attending church in his earlier teenage years. While he was wound up by opponents who labelled him a 'Bible basher' on the field, he has always spokenly proudly about his faith and even presented an episode of Songs of Praise for the BBC. Towards the end of his career, Peacock - who also played for Bournemouth, Charlton and Gillingham - also began preaching in his local church. However, following Euro 2008, he took a major step and relocated to Canada with his family to undertake a three-year Masters course in divinity in Calgary, with the intention of becoming a minister. Peacock admitted in a later interview that the transition had been "the hardest few years" of his life, but he enjoyed now being unknown for his footballing exploits, with those in Canada knowing him only as a preacher rather than a sportsman or a pundit. "I became a Christian at 18 when I was at QPR," he told MailOnline as he recalled his journey into faith. "I was living the dream as a footballer with some money in my pocket and a bit of adulation from fans. But, because football was my God, I questioned why I felt good if I played well and low if I'd done badly. 'We weren't practising Christians at home but one night my Mum said she was going to the local church and I went to keep her company.'Afterwards, I went to a youth meeting. I pulled up in my Ford XR3i and had the mullet to match. "I walked in thinking I was part of the in-crowd but these other young people had something I didn't," he added. "When they spoke about Jesus Christ and prayed, there was a joy and reality I didn't have. 'I was saved then and everything fell into place. My biggest issue was no longer being adored by the crowd but to be in the right relationship with God. It helped my career. The fears and anxieties dissipated. My happiness was no longer completely dependent on football." After becoming a pastor in 2012, Peacock served as associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary, where he lived with his wife of over 35 years, Amanda, and their two children, Jake and Ava. However, he returned to England with Amanda earlier this year, having agreed to take up a one-year appointment as pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent. Jake and Ava, meanwhile, are now grown-up and have stayed put in Canada, with the former now a sports star in his own right, in the martial art of Muay Thai. "Calgary is a cowboy town. They call it the Texas of Canada," said Peacock as he explained how he adjusted to life in North America. "'When I first met the senior pastor, he walked in with a Stetson and an equally big belt and boots. It's also an oil town but one where I can see the Rocky Mountains from my window. 'The winters are brutally cold. Snow starts at the end of November and stays until March. Our first home was in a little mountain town called Canmore. "I'm a boy from suburbia who went from Match of the Day to driving into Calgary to study Hebrew and Greek, driving miles without seeing another car." While his punditry days now seem far behind him, Peacock - who is now invited to conferences around the world and has hosted faith and football evenings across the country - believes his time on television has aided him in his new career. "My producer on MOTD2 Mark Demuth taught me to think about my first line and a line to come out of VT," he explained. "It's a good way to construct a sermon, a good introduction and conclusion so people are left with the main point."
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Match of the Day star speaks out on new life after vanishing from BBC TV career
Gavin Peacock was a regular on the BBC's football coverage in the 2000s, but he decided to quit television after Euro 2008 to embark on an entirely new career Former Match of the Day analyst Gavin Peacock has opened up on his drastic career change after leaving the world of television. The former footballer had a successful 17-year stint on the pitch, playing for clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle and QPR before transitioning into broadcasting post-retirement. He quickly became a familiar face on TV in the 2000s, regularly appearing on Football Focus, Final Score, and Match of the Day. Peacock also appeared on the BBC's coverage of major tournaments like the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008. However, when the latter concluded, he chose to retire his microphone permanently and pursue an entirely different career thousands of miles away. The ex-attacking midfielder has been a devout Christian since he was 18 years old, having started attending church in his early teens. Despite being taunted by rivals who dubbed him a 'Bible basher' on the pitch, he has always openly expressed pride in his faith, even hosting an episode of Songs of Praise for the BBC. Towards the twilight of his career, Peacock, who also had spells at Bournemouth, Charlton and Gillingham, began delivering sermons at his local church. However, following Euro 2008, he made a significant move and relocated to Canada with his family to undertake a three-year Masters course in divinity in Calgary, with the goal to become a minister. In a subsequent interview, Peacock confessed that the shift had been "the hardest few years" of his life, reports Wales Online. However, he relished being recognised for his preaching rather than his footballing prowess in Canada. "I became a Christian at 18 when I was at QPR," he told MailOnline, reflecting on his spiritual journey. "I was living the dream as a footballer with some money in my pocket and a bit of adulation from fans. But, because football was my God, I questioned why I felt good if I played well and low if I'd done badly. "We weren't practising Christians at home but one night my Mum said she was going to the local church and I went to keep her company. Afterwards, I went to a youth meeting. I pulled up in my Ford XR3i and had the mullet to match. "I walked in thinking I was part of the in-crowd, but these other young people had something I didn't," he added. "When they spoke about Jesus Christ and prayed, there was a joy and reality I didn't have. I was saved then and everything fell into place." Peacock explained how he no longer felt the pressures of performing on the pitch because his main concern was his relationship with God. As a result, any fears or anxieties with regards to football fell away. Since being ordained in 2012, he has served as associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary. He lived there with his wife of over 35 years, Amanda, and their two children, Jake and Ava. However, earlier this year, he and Amanda made the move back to England, with Peacock taking on a one-year role as pastor of Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent. Their children are now adults and have chosen to remain in Canada, with Jake making a name for himself in the world of Muay Thai. Describing his experience in Canada, Peacock said: "Calgary is a cowboy town. They call it the Texas of Canada. When I first met the senior pastor, he walked in with a Stetson and an equally big belt and boots. It's also an oil town but one where I can see the Rocky Mountains from my window. "The winters are brutally cold. Snow starts at the end of November and stays until March. Our first home was in a little mountain town called Canmore. "I'm a boy from suburbia who went from Match of the Day to driving into Calgary to study Hebrew and Greek, driving miles without seeing another car." Nowadays, Peacock speaks at conferences worldwide about his religion, and has hosted faith and football evenings across the country. While his days as a pundit may seem like a distant memory for some, the ex-TV star believes his career in broadcasting has been helpful in his new vocation. "My producer on MOTD2, Mark Demuth, taught me to think about my first line and a line to come out of VT," he added. "It's a good way to construct a sermon, a good introduction and conclusion so people are left with the main point." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
