Euro 2012 stadiums pass first test hosting international games

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By David Gold

November 13 – A new stadium built in Wrocław for the 2012 European Championships has played host to its first international game, as Poland lost 2-0 to Italy, whilst the renovated Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Ukraine, which will host the final of the tournament, saw the hosts draw 3-3 with Germany in the first match played there since work was completed.

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Brazilian Romario pushes Sepp Blatter for release of FIFA documents

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By David Gold

November 11 – Following the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, promising he would release files relating to the organisation’s former marketing partner ISL, which are believed to implicate four members of world football’s governing body, the Brazil legend Romario has said he will press for the documents to be given to politicians in the country.

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David Owen: Football and the power of the poppy

David Owen

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Like a high proportion of my fellow Brits, when that moment comes, I shall be standing silently with my head bowed in a gesture of solemn remembrance.

So why does it make me so angry when November rolls around each year and, like snowdrops in January, Premier League football shirts sprout scarlet poppies?

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