British Soccer Fans Ready to Invade Russia

Late-night shootout in Moscow caps long day for British clubs, army of fans

(NEWSER) - Manchester United beat Chelsea in a sudden-death shootout to win tonight's European Champions League Final in Moscow, with goalie Edwin van der Sar saving a shot from Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka to seal the all-British encounter, the BBC reports. "The first penalty shoot-out I've ever won in a big game," exhaled Man U boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "I think there was a bit of fate about it." More»

First title for Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties

(AP) - You can't keep Didier Drogba down. The charismatic striker was at the heart of Chelsea's unlikely comeback victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich last night, scoring the tying goal in the 88th minute and the winner on the final penalty kick of the 4-3 shootout. With two minutes to go and Chelsea down 1-0 to the German team in its home stadium, Drogba soared high from a corner to head home the equalizer and force 30 minutes of extra time, which ended 1-1. More»

New England cruises past winless Tampa Bay, 35-7

(AP) - Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes and had more than 300 yards as the Patriots (5-2) beat the winless (0-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 35-7, today at Wembley Stadium in the NFL's third regular-season game at the iconic London venue. The game drew a sellout crowd of 84,254. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said last week he envisions multiple regular-season games in Britain in coming years and the possibility of London having its own franchise. More»

Man stabbed, cops beaten as Scottish fans—'baying wolves'—riot

(NEWSER) - Fans of a Scottish soccer team rampaged in Manchester, England, last night, attacking the police and civilians after their team lost in the final of a European championship match played there. One fan of the winning Russian team was stabbed, the Times of London reports; police noted 52 assaults, and more than a dozen officers were treated for injuries. More»

(NEWSER) - In Rome, a squad of determined Italian riot police prevailed over 11 Manchester United fans, sending them to the hospital. Over 5,000 Man U supporters crowded the stands at Rome's Stadio Olimpico; their team fell to Roma, 2-1, as they themselves lost by a greater margin to the disciplined onslaught of club- and shield-wielding police. More»