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TUESDAY 31 |
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Owen treble earns England victory
Michael Owen's hat-trick helped England round off their
American tour with a hard-fought win against Colombia.
Owen steered home from close range after 35 minutes, then
took advantage of a pass from debutant Peter Crouch to add a
second nine minutes later.
Goalkeeper David James gifted Mario Yepes a headed goal on
the stroke of half-time before Owen steered home David
Beckham's cross after 58 minutes.
Aldo Ramirez scored a second for Colombia late on, but
England held on.
It was personal triumph for Owen, who equalled the 30 goals
scored by Sir Tom Finney, Alan Shearer and Nat Lofthouse
with his first goal and surpassed them with his second.
Only Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker and 49-goal record holder
Sir Bobby Charlton stand in front of the Real Madrid foward
now.
(BBC Sport Online)
Cisse on target for France
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse marked his return to
International football with a goal in France's 2-1 victory
over Hungary tonight.
Cisse opened the scoring after nine minutes. The Anfield man
was replaced on
74 minutes.
(Walk On LFC)
Hamburg hold out Hamann hope
Ambitious Hamburg have confirmed they want to pair
Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann with new signing Rafael van der
Vaart in a midfield partnership next season.
However, the Bundesliga side fear losing out on Hamann after
admitting their offer to the 31-year-old would probably be
bettered by a Barclays Premiership club.
Sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer confirmed after
completing the deal to bring Ajax's Holland international
van der Vaart to northern Germany that Hamann was high on
Hamburg's list of targets.
"We haven't yet finished our activities in the transfer
market," he told www.hsv.de.
"I reckon that we will sign another one or two players. Our
squad last season was
quite small.
"I have spoken to Hamann, and I can imagine him playing for
us."
(Sporting Life)
Blow for Hamann
Dietmar Hamann's return to international duty has been
thwarted by injury.
The 31-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been forced to
withdraw from Germany's Confederations Cup squad after
suffering a fatigue fracture to his right foot.
The news comes as a blow to the former Bayern Munich star
who had been called up to play his first internationals
since the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal after an impressive
end to the season at Anfield.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who had been looking for
Hamann to play a leading role in his side's Confederations
Cup campaign, has nominated Kaiserslautern midfielder Marco
Engelhardt to replace him.
At least the break will enable Hamann to further ponder his
future with the signs pointing towards the experienced star
extending his contract with the UEFA
Champions League winners.
(Sky Sports)
Former target finally moves on
Former Liverpool target Rafael van der Vaart has finally
left Ajax but not for Barcelona, Real Madrid or Liverpool
but for the mighty Hamburg SV.
The 22-year-old Dutch international has shocked many in the
game by opting to sign for the German outfit especially when
he was tipped for stardom at one of Europe's finest clubs.
Former boss Gerard Houllier made several attempts to land
him all of which failed.
A move to Hamburg looked nailed on following weeks of
speculation but the transfer has now been officially
confirmed by Ajax.
(Kop Talk)
West Brom set to make Liverpool loan swoop
Bryan Robson will explore the possibility of signing
goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on a season-long loan
(Fans FC)
Carlsberg renew sponsorship with reds
Carlsberg Breweries has renewed its partnership with
Liverpool FC as Official Club Sponsor for a further two
years extending its contract to the end of the 2006/07
season.
The agreement was finalised prior to Liverpool's amazing
result in the Champions League Final last Wednesday night.
Carlsberg has been the Main Club Sponsor of Liverpool since
1992, the longest club partnership in The Premiership.
Rick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool FC, said: "The
partnership has been enormously successful over the last 13
years and we're delighted we've been able to extend it into
what we hope will be a new era for the club. We have enjoyed
an excellent relationship with Carlsberg and look forward to
continuing that in the future."
Gareth Roberts, Carlsberg UK Sponsorship Controller added:
"The Carlsberg and Liverpool relationship is one of the
longest and most successful in football. Carlsberg is
delighted to be able to continue this partnership for a
further two years and would like to add our congratulations
to the club for the outstanding result in the Champions
League."
(LFC Official Website)
Charlton and Birmingham battle for Smicer
Charlton and Birmingham are leading the chase for European
Cup hero Vladimir Smicer following his triumphant Anfield
exit.
The Czech international is currently back in Prague after
bringing the curtain down on his Reds career in
extraordinary style.
(Liverpool Echo)
Roque in wonderland
Spanish youngster Miguel Roque has spoken about his move to
Liverpool Football Club.
The European champions offered the 16-year-old Lleida star a
trial and were impressed enough to offer him a contract,
beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to his signature.
"When my representative told me I thought it was a joke,"
admitted Roque.
"When they tell you scouts from Barca or Madrid have come
it's more normal and within reason, but when it's Liverpool,
it's hard to imagine.
"It's a great opportunity for me. Everyone who likes
football dreams about something like this and I can't let
the chance pass.
"When I told them (my team-mates) they did not believe me,
they thought I was having a joke and I had to tell them four
or five times before they took me seriously.
"The experience (at Anfield) was good because the first-team
players there are close to reserves and there is constant
contact between them," he continued.
(LFC Online)
Bolton vow to keep Stelios
Bolton insist Stelios Giannakopoulos is going nowhere
despite reported interest from Liverpool.
The Greek international revealed earlier this week that he
was aware of interest from Liverpool in his services and
that he was flattered by the link.
Stelios enjoyed a fine season with Bolton last term playing
an instrumental role in their qualification for next
season's Uefa Cup.
The winger has just one year to run on his contract at The
Reebok and Trotters chairman Phil Gartside insists he is not
for sale.
"We are not prepared to let him go," Gartside told the
club's official website.
"He as one year left on his contract and is a vital member
of our first-team squad. He's not for sale."
(Sky Sports)
Houllier considers Baros
One of Gerard Houllier's first actions as manager of Lyon
could be to make a swoop on his former club Liverpool.
The man understood to be top of Houllier's list of targets
is unsettled striker Milan Baros.
(Sky Sports)
Reds offered Milito hope
Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza have opened the door to a move
from Liverpool for highly-rated centre-back Gabriel Milito.
The Argentine international is recognised as one of the best
stoppers in the Spanish game and has been a huge success
since joining Zaragoza two seasons ago.
Zaragoza do not want to part with the tough-tackling South
American, but admit that financial problems will force them
to do business if a sizeable offer is forthcoming.
Director of sport Miguel Pardeza explained that the club had
not received any official bids but was expecting to make
summer sales.
"We have not received a proposition from Liverpool for
Milito, but the club is open to offers," he told
skysports.com.
"Unfortunately the club needs to sell some players in the
summer to ensure its survival.
"But we won't rush into any quick deals. Zaragoza have some
very good players and interested clubs will pay what we
believe is a fair price."
(Sky Sports) |
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MONDAY 30 |
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Reds decision near
Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson has confirmed that
a decision on Liverpool's participation in next season's
UEFA Champions League is likely to be made before
June 17.
The Reds are not guaranteed entry into next season's
competition despite beating Milan in last week's final,
having finished outside of the top four in The Premiership.
There have been widespread calls for Liverpool to be handed
a place in Europe's flagship tournament and Uefa's executive
committee are set to discuss the matter at a meeting on June
17.
Dialogue is set to take place before the meeting on June 17,
with Olsson suggesting a decision on Liverpool's fate could
be made before the committee sit to ratify any
rule change.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool decision this week says Hamann
German midfielder Dietmar Hamann attends a press conference
in February 2004. Hamann admits a decision on his Liverpool
future could take place this week and he is leaning towards
extending his contract with the European champions.
Liverpool's Champions League hero Dietmar Hamann admits a
decision on his Anfield future could take place this week
and he is leaning towards extending his contract with the
European champions.
German international Hamann, 31, is out of contract and has
so far failed to reach an agreement with Liverpool who have
a policy of not offering lengthy contracts to players over
30.
"There are a lot of clubs interested and a decision could be
made this week," Hamann informed Kicker magazine on Monday.
"I would like to stay because Liverpool is one of the best
clubs in Europe."
(World Soccer News)
Kewell undergoes groin operation
Harry Kewell has had an operation on his
persistent groin injury.
The Liverpool winger struggled with the problem for most of
last season and lasted just 23 minutes of last week's
Champions League final victory.
He told the club's official website: "It's not going to be a
great summer with the rehabilitation but it's been like that
for the last six months."
The 26-year-old Australian praised Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez for giving him the chance to play against AC Milan
in the final.
"Rafael Benitez showed a lot of faith in me by picking me
from the start because he had other options," said Kewell.
"I stretched for a ball and my groin snapped. I couldn't do
anything about it.
"But if you'd said to me six months ago that I was going to
pull my groin in the European Cup final and I would end up
with a winner's medal I'd have taken that.
"Maybe it's one of the worst things to have happened to me
but it's still been the perfect end to the season."
(BBC Sport Online)
Bayern rebuke flirty Hargreaves
Bayern Munich have warned Owen Hargreaves to stop flirting
with other clubs after the midfielder's public declaration
that he would consider a move to Liverpool
However, despite the England midfielder being linked with a
switch to the Premiership, Bayern insist there has been no
offer from Liverpool, or any other club for that matter.
The 24-year-old's conduct has angered both Bayern chairman
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and managing director Uli Hoeness.
"I don't like to see Owen flirting all the time with a move
to England," said Rummenigge. "We don't know anything about
the reported offer from Liverpool."
"If some players don't play on Saturday they want to leave
straight away, but if they are back in the team, they want
to extend their contract for five years," fumed Hoeness.
"They better have to settle to the circumstances here."
(ITV Football)
Houllier backs Liverpool campaign
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has backed the
growing campaign for the Reds to be allowed to defend their
Champions League title - especially as they could face his
new team Lyon next season.
Houllier was on Subday appointed coach of French champions
Lyon and he has stepped into the debate which is so far
proving difficult for UEFA to resolve.
"I was really so pleased that Liverpool won the Champions
League for the fans, the players and the club," said
Houllier, who guided the Anfield club to victory in the UEFA
Cup, FA Cup, Carling Cup, European Super Cup and the Charity
Shield in 2001.
"I'd be gutted if they are not in the Champions League next
season. Common sense should prevail and the winners of the
Champions League should be the first ones to defend it."
(Sporting Life)
Stelios admits Reds interest
Bolton ace Stelios Giannakopoulos has admitted he is
flattered to be linked with a move to Liverpool.
Reports have suggested that Liverpool are keen on bringing
the Greek international to Anfield for next season.
The winger, who has just one year to run on his contract at
Bolton, enjoyed a fine season last term helping Bolton win a
place in Europe after finishing sixth in The Premiership.
Giannakopoulos revealed he is aware of interest from
Liverpool in his services and is waiting to see what
develops.
"All I know is that Liverpool have shown interest in me,"
Giannakopoulos said.
"I don't want to say anything more.
"Right now I have a contract with Bolton.
"It's an honour for me and for Bolton the interest of
Liverpool. We will see."
(Sky Sports)
Cruyff: Liverpool are unique
Football legend Johan Cruyff believes Liverpool Football
Club is unique in more ways than one.
Stunned at the club's Champions League final performance
against AC Milan, the Dutchman also says Rafael Benitez is
quite simply one of the best.
Cruyff said: "There's not one club in Europe with an anthem
like You'll Never Walk Alone.
"There's not one club in the world so united with their
fans. I sat there watching the Liverpool fans and they sent
shivers down my spine.
"A mass of 40,000 people became one force behind their team.
That's something not many teams have. For that I admire
Liverpool more than anything.
"Benitez is now in a new echelon of top coaches in Europe.
Only the best coaches in the world can inspire comebacks
like that.
"With this victory Liverpool now have a coach touched by the
glory of the great Liverpool teams of the past."
(Kop Talk) |
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SUNDAY 29 |
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Houllier handed Lyon post
Gerard Houllier has been appointed the new coach of Ligue 1
champions Lyon.
Houllier, the former Liverpool and France coach, replaces
Paul Le Guen who quit the job after leading the club to
their fourth consecutive title and their third under his
command.
(TEAMtalk)
Johnson exit talk hots up
Andy Johnson is set to leave Crystal Palace this summer with
Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester City all
chasing his signature.
The striker is reportedly keen to leave Selhurst Park to
enhance his chances of forcing his way into Sven-Goran
Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad.
Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle are all thought to be
considering bids in the region of £6m for the player, while
new Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is reportedly willing
to offer Jon Macken as part of a deal.
(TEAMtalk)
Carra so excited he fainted
Jamie Carragher said he was so excited and overjoyed at the
end of the Champions League win over AC Milan that he
reckons he suffered a bit of a blackout.
Carragher said it is difficult to describe his emotions at
the final whistle and he just got so carried away as the
realisation that he was a European champion was beginning
to sink in.
Carragher said: "At the end I just took off towards our
fans. I couldn't believe it. There were probably 40,000
Liverpool supporters in the stadium and yet the exact place
I ran to was where all my family and friends were
celebrating. It was unbelievable because I honestly hadn't a
clue where they were in the stadium.
"I went so mad that I must have had a bit of a blackout. I
just crashed to the floor somewhere and I can't remember a
single thing that was going on around me for a few moments.
What I do remember as I was lying on the floor was starting
to cramp up again!"
(LFC Official Website)
Traore reveals Rafa's secret half-time
team talk
Djimi Traore has spoken about Rafael Benitez's half-time
team talk, that heled Liverpool turn around their 3-0
deficit in the Champions League Final.
"When we got into the dressing room we just said 'It's
over,' but the manager found the right words and gave us
back our confidence," said the French defender.
"The first thing Rafa said was 'Don't let your heads drop.
All the players who will get on the pitch after half-time
have to keep their heads held high. We are Liverpool, you
are playing for Liverpool. Do not forget that. You have to
hold your heads high for the supporters. You have to do it
for them. You cannot call yourselves Liverpool players if
you have your heads down. If we create a few chances we have
the possibility of getting back into this. Believe you can
do it and we will. Give yourselves the chance to be heroes'.
"We changed things tactically at half-time then Stevie's
goal gave us a new lease of life and we carried on from
there."
(LFC Online)
Sir Bobby: Give Rafa an Oscar now
Sir Bobby Robson has called for Rafael Benitez to be given
an oscar for the best supporting role he has ever seen in
football and says Liverpool must be in the Champions League
next season.
The former Newcastle United and England manager is an
admirer of Benitez and Liverpool and says he was absolutely
delighted the Reds won the Champions League.
Robson said: "Managers have to be like actors at times and
Rafa Benitez deserves an Oscar for his half-time performance
in the dressing room during the Champions League Final.
"His half-time performance when all was lost in Istanbul was
the most astonishing of the whole amazing night.
"If hed gone in and vented his true feelings at being 3-0
down, his players would have lost any self belief they had
left. Instead Rafa earned his annual salary in those 15
minutes with his players behind closed doors. After getting
the runaround from AC Milan, they needed hope, guidance and
confidence and Rafa provided it.
"Liverpool have to be allowed into the Champions League next
season. Their heroes like Gerrard and Jamie Carragher
deserve nothing less. Most of all Rafa deserves it."
(LFC Official Website)
Diego is an adopted scouser
Football legend Diego Maradona was so enthralled with the
passion of the Liverpool fans and the incredible comeback in
Istanbul that he has now become an adopted scouser and is a
Liverpool fan.
Maradona, one of the greatest players the world has ever
seen, says Liverpool were a credit to football and gave a
perfect example of what the game is all about.
Maradona was in Istanbul working for Argentine TV and said:
"The English club proved that miracles really do exist. I've
now made Liverpool my English team. They showed that
football is the most beautiful sport of all.
"You knew they could defend but the team showed they could
play too and wrote a page in the history books. The match
will last forever.
"The Liverpool supporters didn't let me go to sleep the
night before, there were 10 of them to every three Milan
supporters. They showed their unconditional support at
half-time when they were losing 3-0 and still they didn't
stop singing."
(LFC Official Website)
Hamann to stay
Dietmar Hamann is set to stay with Liverpool after helping
them win the European Cup.
Hamann's current contract is all set to expire and the
German was set for a free transfer to Bolton. However, in
the light of his wonderful performance on Wednesday night,
Hamann is set to be offered a new contract with Liverpool.
Liverpool were prepared to offer Hamann a new contract back
in January but he hesitated on signing it and as a
consequence it was withdrawn. Now that one year deal is back
on the table and Didi will remain a Red.
(LFC Online)
Lord Mayor pays homage to Reds
New Lord Mayor of Liverpool Alan Dean might be a Blue at
heart but he was singing the praises of Liverpool after
their Champions League win over AC Milan and described it as
the best comeback ever seen.
Councillor Dean is an Everton fan but he was signed in as
Mayor of the city on the night Liverpool won a fifth
European Cup.
Dean said: "It was a superb performance and it's got to be
the comeback ever in football terms.
"Whatever Rafael Benitez said to them at half-time and I did
ask him but he wouldn't tell me, the Chairman said you don't
want to know what was said.
"The save Jerzy Dudek made, I mean never mind just the
celebrations in Liverpool, he deserves the freedom of Poland
for what he did.
"I would love to see Liverpool and Everton in the Champions
League next season, it would be wonderful for this city and
the supporters."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: I am staying
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez claims Real Madrid will not be
able to tempt him away from Anfield.
The bigwigs at Real have been impressed with Benitez's
efforts with Liverpool this term and it is believed that the
way he masterminded their stunning UEFA Champions League win
over Milan on Wednesday has prompted them to consider making
a bid to bring the Spaniard back to his native land.
Benitez has strong ties to Madrid, with many of his family
residing in the Spanish capital, but he claims there is no
way he will be persuaded to head out of Anfield this summer.
"Of course, I was born there, I have a lot of friends there,
I know people in the club, and my family is in Madrid," said
Benitez. "But I am really happy here. My only idea is to
prepare the team for the next season.
"I'm proud of my situation and really happy at Liverpool.
I've a clear idea about my future, and that is to win next
season another trophy, or trophies."
(Sky Sports)
Cole: I'm insanely jealous!
Jealous Joe Cole was so envious of Liverpool reaching the
Champions League final that he refused to watch their
sensational clash with AC Milan.
Instead, the Chelsea star quit the England team hotel here
in the USA to go shopping in downtown Chicago.
And now the Merseysiders have gloriously lifted the trophy
he admits he is even MORE gutted.
Midfielder Cole confessed: "If I'm going to be honest, I'm
just insanely jealous and I want to do it myself next year.
"Obviously I'm happy for Stevie Gerrard and Jamie Carragher
winning the trophy — but the truth is I'm really jealous."
That jealousy even extended to blanking out all of the
build-up to last week's final — even the TV trailers!
Cole explained: "I couldn't even watch the adverts for the
game on TV leading up to the final.
"I went rushing for the remote control every time I saw an
advert coming on — it was
that bad."
(News of the World)
Johansson boosts Liverpool hopes
Uefa president Lennart Johansson has given Liverpool's hopes
of defending their Champions League title a boost.
The Swede said that football's European ruling body must
make a decision as a "matter of a real urgency".
"The winner should have a chance to defend the title,"
Johansson told the Sunday Times.
"We must sit down to see if there is a way to make it
happen. If there is a rule that harms the tournament, we
have to discuss changing the rule."
(BBC Sport Online)
Heysel football disaster marked
The Belgian city of Brussels is to mark the anniversary of
the 1985 Heysel stadium disaster for the first time.
Thirty-nine people were killed when fans rioted before the
European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus.
Brussels will hold a commemoration for the fans, most of
whom were Italian and died when a wall collapsed at the
stadium in the city.
A monument will be unveiled outside the ground on Sunday and
39 lights set into the ground.
On the new structure built over the collapsed wall a grey
plaque with 39 cuts into its surface reads "In memoriam
29/05/85".
Liverpool Football Club marked the tragedy when the team met
Juventus in April, on its way to winning the Champions
League, with a pre-game ceremony at Anfield.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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SATURDAY 28 |
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Cisse completes dream return
Djibril Cisse says it was a dream come true to play in
Liverpool's UEFA Champions League final after fearing for
his career earlier in the season.
Cisse's entire football career was hanging in the balance
after suffering a horrific broken leg at Blackburn back in
October.
Liverpool's medical staff even revealed that he could have
lost his leg in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
"I was out for six months but I've come back to help
Liverpool win the Champions League. It's amazing and I can't
believe my dream came true," Cisse told the club's website.
"The way it has ended it has been a great season.
"It is great to see the people and I have never seen
anything like this. This is a special club with special
fans.
"This is one of the best days of my life. Just to get on in
the match was brilliant for me and to score a goal in the
penalty shoot-out was extra special.
"I was nervous before taking the kick as I knew how
important it was to the club and also to our wonderful
fans."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Wright-Phillips linked with Reds
Sean Wright-Phillips is the latest player to linked with a
move to European Cup holders Liverpool.
Manchester City will want around £15m for Wright-Phillips
but Rafael Benitez will be given serious funds this summer
as the Reds chase the title so a deal is possible.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard's thanks
Skipper Steven Gerrard has expressed a heartfelt thanks from
his Liverpool team-mates to the million fans who lined the
streets in a victory parade for the Champions League winners
on Thursday.
Gerrard said: "The welcome home topped off the greatest
night of my life. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who
turned out. Those supporters are the best."
(Daily Mirror)
Oasis party for Liverpool
One of the biggest bands in the world Oasis celebrated
Liverpool's Champions League victory in fine style by
walking out to their gig in London with the anthem 'You'll
Never Walk Alone' on Wednesday night.
Oasis played the Coronet theatre in London on Wednesday
night but they didn't come on stage until Liverpool had
beaten AC Milan. Instead of having a support band brothers
Noel and Liam Gallagher got a big screen up on stage for
fans to watch the match.
There was an amazing atmosphere in the Coronet with fans
cheering Liverpool and the band saluted the Reds achievement
by scrapping their normal introduction song and instead came
on to Liverpool's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone', bathed
in red light.
Then for the first song of the set Oasis singer Liam
Gallagher saluted Liverpool and dedicated 'Stop Crying Your
Heart Out' to the AC Milan fans!
Speaking before the gig Noel Gallagher told NME.com: "The
gig was sold out and I said, 'Instead of getting a support
band, why don't we get a big screen and stick it in the
middle of the stage so everyone can watch the game. Then
we'll play after the game and get a late curfew'. They all
went for it, so we hired a big cinema thing."
(LFC Official Website)
Baros reveals Valencia interest
Milan Baros has confirmed that Valencia are trying to tempt
him away from Liverpool.
There have also been suggestions that Fiorentina, whose
interest would probably wane should they be relegated to
Serie B this weekend, and a number of Premiership clubs are
keen on the player who finished as top scorer at Euro 2004.
Baros told Czech newspaper Sport: "There is an offer from
Valencia, some other clubs are also interested and there is
also a possibility that I will stay in Liverpool.
"To tell the truth, I would be glad to go to Valencia, but
equally glad to stay in Liverpool. So we will see."
Baros made way for Djibril Cisse late in the second half as
Liverpool went on to prevail on penalties against Milan.
Despite missing out on the chance to participate in the
penalty shoot-out, Baros was fully involved in the
post-match celebrations.
He relished the open-top bus ride through Liverpool with the
trophy, adding: "I have never experienced anything like this
and I will never experience it again.
"It was something fantastic."
(Sporting Life)
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Thor Zakariassen
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