Barcelona savours sun-kissed trophy parade

Barcelona's triumphant players paraded the club's fourth European Cup through the warm streets of a festive Catalan capital today before partying with almost 100,000 fans at their Nou Camp stadium.
Yesterday's 3-1 victory over Manchester United, a second Champions League triumph in three years and a fourth continental crown following successes in 1992 and 2006, capped a superb season in which the Spanish giants claimed a third successive Spanish league title and reached the King's Cup final.
They flew back from London today on a plane decorated in the club colours with huge pictures of the players adorning the side and touched down at the city's El Prat airport at around 4 p.m. local time.
Boarding an open-top bus, Barcelona wound their way through the thronged streets with the European Cup and La Liga trophies displayed at the front of the vehicle.
Confetti wafted through the evening air and fans sought every vantage point to catch a glimpse of their heroes, including yesterday's goalscorers Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro.
Supporters clad in the club colours of claret and blue began pouring into the sun-kissed stadium from around 5.30 p.m. and when the players arrived two and a half hours later there were thousands more to welcome them in the streets outside.
With fireworks going off and rock music blaring inside the arena, the players and the coaching staff were announced one by one before coach Pep Guardiola and his assistant Tito Vilanova brought the Champions League trophy on to the pitch.
After short speeches by captain Carles Puyol and Guardiola, Messi stepped up to address the stadium.
"I don't have much to say other than to thank you all for your support during this amazing year," the Argentine World Player of the Year said.

"Hopefully, there will be many more to come. Long live Barca and long live Catalunya!"
The players are due to attend a concert given by Colombian pop diva Shakira, the girlfriend of centre back Gerard Pique, across the city at the Olympic Stadium later today.
Earlier, police detained more than 80 people for public order offences and other infringements while around 130 fans needed medical attention after celebrations of Barcelona's fourth European title turned ugly.
Around 50,000 gathered in the centre of the Catalan capital to mark the victory but most celebrated peacefully, police said.
However, 84 people were later detained for public order offences, throwing stones and other objects, damaging city property and attacking officers, the statement said.
Some 37 police were among the injured, though none were seriously hurt.


Nini/tvnz

AC Milan still interested in Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose – report

The Germany international's contract with his current club ends in the summer and he has yet to make a decision about his future, with the Italian champions reportedly keen

Miroslav Klose, Bayern Munich

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AC Milan are still hopeful of securing the services of Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose on a free transfer in the summer, Il Corriere dello Sport reports.

The Italian champions first showed an interest in signing the Germany international back in April, but have not made a move for Klose yet. However, the Italian champions are closely monitoring the situation of the prolific hitman and could offer him a contract if he fails to agree a new deal with Bayern.

The 32-year-old Klose’s contract with his current club ends in the summer and negotiations over a new deal have not yet come to fruition.

Bayern have reportedly tabled a one-year deal with reduced wages and the automatic option of a one-year renewal if the striker makes 20 appearances for the club next season.

Klose though is understood to be unhappy with these terms and wants a two-year contract with no clauses inserted.


NIni/Goal

We will not sign Marek Hamsik from Napoli – AC Milan's Silvio Berlusconi

The club supremo rules out an approach for the highly-rated Slovakian international this summer during a speech in the city of Naples

Silvio Berlusconi - Milan

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has ruled out a move for Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik in the summer.
The 23-year-old has been linked with the Italian champions in recent weeks and he himself admitted that he will think about joining them if an offer were to be made.
"If an offer arrived then I would have to talk to Napoli first,” said Hamsik. “I would like to try playing for a club that regularly challenges for the Scudetto and Champions League."
On Thursday Milan president Adriano Galliani gave another hint about landing Hamsik when he identified him as one of the left-sided midfielders they are interested in.
However, club patron Berlusconi has now said that they will not approach Napoli for the highly-rated player.
During a speech in Naples to promote one of the candidates for the mayor elections to be held on Sunday, the Italian prime minister stated: "We will not buy Hamsik. Milan don't touch the symbol-players of other teams.”
Hamsik had a productive 2010-11 campaign for Napoli, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 37 Serie A appearances, and helping Walter Mazzarri’s side to automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League.


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