Espanyol appoint former player Valverde as coach

Valverde, who has signed a one-year contract, takes over from Miguel Angel Lotina who left Espanyol at the end of the season after leading the club to victory in the King's Cup and survival in the Primera Liga.

Valverde, who coached Athletic Bilbao between 2003 and 2005, played for the Catalan club from 1986 to 1988.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," the 42-year-old told a news conference. "I'm returning to the club that gave me my first division debut and that means a lot to me."

The club preserved their top flight status in dramatic fashion after an injury-time goal gave them victory over Real Sociedad in the final match of the season.

"I think the people at the club are still recovering from the shock of what happened at the end of the season," said Valverde.

"Our priority will be to ensure we stay in the first division. Relegation would be a catastrophe and it has to be avoided."

Athletic Bilbao Friendly Announced

Bilbao win but Eto'o claims Pichichi

A virtually second-string Barcelona ended their stunning double-winning season in inglorious fashion with a limp 3-1 defeat at mid-table Atletico Bilbao on Saturday.'

Bilbao were much the more determined side, desperate to give their expectant public a winning finale to the season, while Barcelona, who only three days previously had claimed their second Champions League crown, were understandably understated.

They had just finished the most successful season in their history, cantering to the league title weeks ago before a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Arsenal in Wednesday's European showpiece final in Paris.

With nothing to play for, this game was little more than an unwanted distraction for Barca, except, that is, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o. In fact, he was one of the few recognisable first-team starters to take to the field as he had his own agenda to deal with - he needed just one more goal to beat Valencia's David Villa for outright victory in the Spanish golden boot competition.

The speedy forward, who started the Barca turnaround on Wednesday, achieved his aim of winning the Pichichi by opening the scoring after 36 minutes.

The champions of Europe held that lead until almost the hour mark when Andoni Iraola levelled the scores with a clinical finish.

The match seemed to be heading for a highly dissatisfying draw until the last 10 minutes when a quick-fire double settled the affair.

First, Felipe Gurendez smashed home a rebound on 80 minutes and then Barcelona's Presas Oleguer inadvertently turned a cross from Joseba Etxeberria passed his own keeper, Albert Jorquera, just two minutes later.

Eto'o can top league scoring list

The Cameroon forward, who scored in the 2-1 Champions League final win over Arsenal, was deprived of the honor on the final day last season by Villarreal's Diego Forlan.

Eto'o is currently joint-top scorer with Valencia's David Villa, on 25 goals.

He can go clear in the rescheduled final league game of the season.

Cameroon's failure to reach the World Cup leaves Eto'o as one of his team's few regulars available for the match, because Barca's Germany-bound players are joining their national squads.

The match is of little consequence for either team, with Barca already league champions and Bilbao, in 13th spot, safe from relegation and out of the running for Europe.

If Barca win they will finish 15 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid to put the seal on a season where they have been head and shoulders above their rivals.

The league had to ask FIFA's permission to extend the season beyond the agreed May 15 deadline after Barcelona's match with Sevilla was abandoned because of a waterlogged pitch on April 23.

Wales' Basque date suffers delay

Fifa has let the Spanish FA rearrange Athletic Bilbao's home match with Barcelona on Saturday 20 May, double booking their Estadio San Mames home.

So the 40,000 sell-out Wales match will now go ahead at the stadium on Sunday, with the kick-off time confirmed as 1915 BST.

The FA of Wales worked closely with the Basque FA to try to minimise disruption for Welsh supporters.

With nothing riding on the Primera Liga match, the Basque FA had asked for Athletic to play on Friday 19 May to leave the San Mames free for the Saturday as planned.

Although that best-case scenario has not happened, the Sunday compromise is better than the last remaining option of playing the Basque XI v Wales match on the Tuesday.

More than 400 Welsh football fans are thought to have booked their travel arrangements already, so there is some chance that many will be able to make the match on Sunday with minimum fuss.

Wales are scheduled to fly out to Austria on Thursday morning to take on Trinidad & Tobago on 27 May in Graz.

The Spanish FA had originally wanted to rearrange its fixture list so that there would have been a full league programme on 20 May.

Thankfully Fifa at least prevented that outcome, as such a plan would have seen the Basque side stripped of its players.

The likes of Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Alaves - the top clubs in the Basque region - would have been forced to keep their players for La Liga duty.

World football's governing body wanted domestic leagues to finish on 14 May because of this year's World Cup.

But with Barcelona and Seville both involved in European finals, Fifa has allowed the Spanish FA some leeway.

Football - Survival for Bilbao better than title, says Clemente

Next week on TV (5-1/5-7)

By Daniel Kline

WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Both the NBA and the NHL close out the first round of their playoffs. In baseball, you’ve got the Orioles and the Blue Jays, matching up in what has to be one of the biggest questions of the baseball season. One of these teams might hang on to challenge the Yankees and Red Sox, but probably not both, making this early season tilt a little more interesting.

*All times Eastern.

Monday, May 1

NFL Europe, Berlin at Rhein (3 p.m., NFL Network)

Stop arguing about who your team drafted and check in on the sport’s minor league with this mid-afternoon match-up. Though NFL Europe might not get the attention of its big brother, the league offers a good chance to figure out which back-up players might break through come the fall.

Tuesday, May 2

Yankees at Red Sox (7:05 p.m., DirecTV, regional)

Every Yankees versus Red Sox match-up gets covered like a playoff game in Boston and New York, so expect tempers to flare in this tilt. The Sox have had the early season advantage, but that’s nothing new, as the Sox always have a division lead in the Summer – the question is whether they can hold it in the Fall.

Wednesday, May 3

Boxing (9 p.m. ESPN2)

Sharmba Mitchell takes on Jose Luis Cruz in a 10-round welterweight tilt. Cruz plays the role of the fighter on the way up, taking on former two-time champion Mitchell, who wants one more shot at the gold. Mitchell was knocked out in the sixth round in his last fight, but that was against Floyd Mayweather – one of the best in the division – so he’s aiming to prove that was a fluke and knock Cruz off the ladder of contention.

Thursday, May 4

Wachovia Open (4 p.m., USA)

A Tiger-less field should leave this one pretty wide open. Vijay Singh attempts to repeat as champion, a title he took last year in a three-way playoff with Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk.

Friday, May 5

College Volleyball (Midnight, ESPN2)

Catch the men’s semifinal of the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament. This might be your last chance to see some of your favorite players before they turn pro and head out on the lucrative men’s volleyball tour.

Saturday, May 6

Kentucky Derby (6 p.m., NBC)

Horse racing only matters three times a year to the average fan, but the Kentucky captures the best of the sport. Because it’s the first Triple Crown race, every Derby winner stands the chance of being the first horse to bring home racing’s most elusive prize since Affirmed in 1978.

Sunday, May 7

Premier League Soccer (5 p.m., FOXESP)

Two of the big powers in the Premiership face off as Newcastle battles Chelsea in an attempt to cut into Chelsea’s overall lead in the standings. Chelsea did just fall in the FA Cup semifinal, but their big lead in the regular season standings makes clinching the title almost inevitable.

Daniel Kline’s book “50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do” is available in bookstores nationwide. He can be reached at dan@notastep.com.

Loan spell - Football

Del Horno, a 12 million euros ($14.52 million) buy from Athletic Bilbao last June, has been in and out of the first team all season.

His position will be further undermined if England left back Wayne Bridge, getting back to form and fitness with Fulham after a long injury absence, returns after his loan spell at Craven Cottage.

Centre back Ricardo Carvalho, who followed Mourinho from Porto in 2004 could also be on the move after a public falling out at the start of the season and newspaper reports that Spanish clubs were interested in him.

Strike pair Crespo and Drogba have attracted criticism for not scoring enough goals while wingers Duff, Robben and Wright-Phillips have sometimes underachieved this season.

Mourinho, however, is keeping his plans close to his chest. "It is normal you will look for one, two, three players to improve (the squad) and normally there are one, two or three players who are keen to make a move and have a new direction," the Portuguese coach told the club's website.

"It is normal what will happen at Chelsea in the summer."

Talks with 29-year-old Ballack, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the season, have gone well. German media reports say a contract has been agreed.

"I would like him to come. In a very good team he will be a plus," Mourinho said.

"We already have a very good squad and very good midfield players. If he comes it is a big plus, if not we can survive."

Ballack, slotting in beside England stalwart Frank Lampard, might leave little space for some of this season's more fringe midfielders such as long serving Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen or Maniche, whose short contract runs out at the end of the season.

Football: 2006 UEFA CUP Tournament

The UEFA Cup is handed over to the Dutch city of Eindhoven, and in preparation for hosting this season's final, golden memories of 1978 will come flooding back.

It was on 9 May 1978 that local side PSV Eindhoven established themselves as a major force in European football as they beat SC Bastia 3-0 at the Philips stadium - the venue for this season's final - to win the UEFA Cup, following a goalless draw in the first leg in Corsica two weeks earlier.

 By that time, PSV had already broken the cast-iron grip that the big clubs from the west of the Netherlands - Feyenoord and AFC Ajax - held on the Dutch title by winning the Eredivisie in 1974/75 and 1975/76, but in taking the UEFA Cup, they announced their presence to the whole continent.

With the final being contested over two legs in those days, PSV had not enjoyed an easy time in the opening fixture against Bastia. Heavy rainfall turned the first leg into a boring show. But the second leg, however, was much more one-sided, and with the elements no longer blocking their route to goal, PSV shone with Willy van de Kerkhof, Gerrie Deijkers and Willy van der Kuylen finding the target as they secured a famous victory in front of 27,000 fans.

With Feyenoord and Ajax both having won major European competitions in the early 1970s, PSV were the third Dutch club to triumph in UEFA competition, and added to their trophy cabinet by winning the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1987/88 before reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2004/05.

The memories of that first success back in 1978 will be celebrated as 2004/05 UEFA Cup, against all the Sportsbooks odds. Winners of last year’s cup PFC CSKA Moskva hand the trophy to Eindhoven, with goal scorers Van de Kerkhof and Van der Kuylen in attendance. Sadly Deijkers died of heart failure at the age of 56 back in October 2003.

Deijkers' story was an odd one. He had played as a defender in previous seasons but coach Kees Rijvers - who will also be at the handover - decided to hand him a chance to become a striker as PSV were having attacking problems in 1977/78. He went on to score 18 league goals and six in the UEFA Cup that season.

While Deijkers will be missed at the ceremony at the Evoluon building in Eindhoven, plenty of other PSV stars of 1978 will be there to make up the numbers. Among them will be Willy's twin brother René van de Kerkhof, Jan Poortvliet, Adri van Kraay and Kees Krijgh all eager to get their hands on the trophy again.

Football: Valencia beat Athletic Bilbao

SPANISH SOCCER - ATHLETIC FANS PLAN PROTEST

Numerous Athletic Bilbao Football Club supporters clubs are planning a protest against the number of refereeing decisions that have gone against their team in recent weeks and months. Before their team's clash with Valencia on Sunday, fans are to gather at the club's San Mames stadium to vent their anger at "poor officiating".

The latest match to have enraged Bilbao players and fans alike came last weekend at the Vicente Calderon, where attackers Andoni Iraola and Fernando Llorente were both sent tumbling inside the penalty area, only for referee Undiano Mallenco on each occasion to wave play on.

The supporters are keen to make it known they are "well aware and fed up of the glaring refereeing errors that the team is suffering."

With five games of the season remaining, Athletic lie just two points clear of the relegation zone. The fans are hoping the protest will put an end to what they view as unfair officiating at this crucial stage of the campaign.

FOOTBALL -ORBAIZ READY FOR CRUNCH CLASH

Both sides' chances of survival have improved considerably since January when they made coaching bets.

Athletic and Mallorca chose to bring in tried and tested former trainers in soccer players Javier Clemente and Gregorio Manzano, respectively.

However, such is the level of competition at the bottom of the table that one defeat could put either side back in trouble.

Athletic are now unbeaten in five games and last weekend maintained the distance between themselves and strugglers Alaves with a 0-0 draw in Vitoria.

Mallorca, meanwhile, have only lost once since they where humbled 3-0 by Barcelona at the end of January but a high percentage of draws means they are still only one place above the relegation zone.

PRIETO WINNER BOOSTS BILBAO-SOCCER

A Luis Prieto winner against Osasuna gave Athletic Bilbao a major boost in their bid to escape the relegation dogfight and damaged the Pamplona side's bid for an automatic Champions League spot.

The defender headed home after 59 minutes for the only goal of a match which Athletic deservedly won after an impressive second half display.

Late on a scuffle between Bilbao's Ismael Urzaiz and Osasuna's Ludovic Delporte saw both players sent off.

Athletic were at their best in attack with Joseba Etxeberria and Fran Yeste combining well while the Osasuna forwards had little luck against a sturdy backline.

Athletic midfielder Yeste accepted before the match that his side had enjoyed good luck in recent weeks which has helped them move clear of the bottom three and facing an in-form Osasuna side it appeared that they would need it to continue.

The biggest impact that Javier Clemente has had since taking over the reins at Athletic is to strengthen the defence and the home side appeared solid throughout.

Athletic were enjoying the greater play in attacking areas during the first half but Osasuna when they did press forward looked more like scoring as they looked to defend their second place in the Liga against Real Madrid who play on Sunday.

Yeste was the most dangerous player in midfield and he was proving very effective in linking up with Aritz Aduriz and Etxeberria in attack.

Andoni Iraola and Etxeberria both had half-chances from the edge of the area to give Athletic the lead but they failed to make the most of them.

Osasuna have proved themselves to have a strong system this season and the speed which they break from midfield with David Lopez and Raul Garcia supporting the forwards have unsettled stronger sides than Athletic.

Javier Aguirre's team should have gone ahead mid-way through the first half but Pierre Webo failed to make the most of a chance from 10 yards.

Moha El Yaagoubi, a constant threat on the left-wing, swung in a cross which was met by Lopez at the far post and he in turn found Webo in front of goal but he shot weakly at Inaki Lafuente.

On the point of half-time Webo was again wasteful as he shot wide after being set up by a Savo Milosevic header.

Athletic raised the tempo at the start of the second half and Osasuna struggled to cope.

Athletic's danger was coming crosses with first Etxeberria heading wide from a cross by Prieto.

Unai Exposito found Yeste in front of goal and the midfielder should have scored but he headed just past the post. The result was a falied.

A goal appeared on the cards and it arrived on the hour mark from similar play.

A Yeste free-kick was met by Prieto at the far post and he beat Ricardo Lopez from close range.

With Milosevic disappearing after the interval, well marshalled by the Athletic defence, Aguirre decided to replace him with Daniel Romeo with the aim of upsetting the visitor's backline with his pace.

Except from a well-struck shot from distance by Javier Flano, though, it was Athletic who remained in the driving seat.

The game ended in a frantic finale as Osasuna pressed forward and Athletic's play became nervous.

During injury time Delporte and Urzaiz were both dismissed after pushing and shoving broke out following a foul by the Frenchman.

TIKO THE HERO FOR BILBAO

Athletic went into the soccer game second-bottom, two points behind their opponents, but Tiko's winner sent them above Cadiz and up to 16th in the Primera Liga table.

The win sets up what promises to be an intriguing relegation scrap as only three points separate second-bottom Cadiz and 14th-placed Real Sociedad with 11 games remaining.

In the build-up to the game, Athletic midfielder Andoni Iraola had called for his team-mates to be patient as he expected the visitors to play for a draw.

And they proved in this tornament to be wise words as although the hosts spent most of the game with 10 men, they still produced the bulk of the chances and were not rewarded until Tiko's stoppage-time spot-kick.

The soccer player Fernando Amorebieta was the man to make way for Athletic, managing to pick up two yellow cards inside 16 minutes, and those were the only moments of note in a slow start.

But the game picked up after the half-hour mark, with Athletic striker Aritz Aduritz heading wide from Fran Yeste's corner, while Pablo Orbaiz fired a free-kick narrowly wide.

BILBAO LOOK TO BUILD ON WIN

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Unai Exposito has urged his team-mates to put the odds to win Racing Santander with another good display against Villarreal on Sunday.

Athletic managed a vital win last weekend which took them out of the relegation zone although they rode their luck to get the 1-0 result over Racing.

But while the team continued to struggle going forward, the defence remained strong giving soccer player Javier Clemente's side hope they can still pull off the great escape.

"We need a victory badly while at the same time it is the chance to wipe away the record of three points from three home games which is vital," said Exposito, who odds to move to the left wing with Fernando Amorebieta unavailable through suspension.

"We have to win seven more matches, we won in Santander and now we have to start winning at home.

"My versatility does give me more chances to play with the high standard in the team but the most important thing right now is not who plays but that we pick up points.

"We should all be thinking of the team, we are all players of a similar level so we should be trying to just play at our best."