"We wanted to win, but could never have predicted a result like this against a team with Spain's dimension. The way we played had a lot of positives. The win does not bring points, but it does earn us prestige."

-- Portugal coach Paulo Bento after his team beat world champion Spain, 4-0, in a friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday. (Reuters)


"Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regards to SG's injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history. Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful."

-- What Darren Burgess, Liverpool's head of fitness and conditioning, posted on Twitter after Steven Gerrard hobbled off the field with a hamstring injury with five minutes left in England's 2-1 loss to France at Wembley. Liverpool thought it had an agreement with England boss Fabio Capello that Gerrard would play no more than an hour in the game. (The Guardian)