Dutchman forced to choose between country and future club career

Dutch boss Marco van Basten is perfectly within his rights to field a weakened team against Romania tonight (”It’s not against the rules, it’s a fact of life,” said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard), and eliminating the possibility of meeting France or Italy in the semi-finals would appear to be a wise move. However, former Italy gaffer Cesare Maldini has claimed the Dutchman can forget about coaching in Milan if he rolls over Portugal-stylee tonight:

“Van Basten has a two year contract [with Ajax after the Euros] but I know that after he wants to come to coach in Italy.

“Will it be at Milan? We will see. But for sure he will want to arrive in Italy with a clean slate, and he cannot do this by losing to the Romanians on purpose.”

The word ‘vendetta’ comes from Italian (I know, I was surprised too), so there’s little chance the boot-shaped nation will forgive and forget the coach if he fields a weakened side against Adrian Mutu and co tonight. But will he succumb to Italian pressure? Is he even interested in the AC Milan job? Let us all know your thoughts with a comment below.

[Goal.com]

Director will only start shooting another if Spurs move on to bigger things

Following the success of The Bourne Ultimatum at the Oscars (it deservedly won all three categories in which it was nominated), rumours have been circling this week of a fourth instalment in the Matt Damon franchise.

Bourne director Paul Greengrass has not confirmed the rumour, but the avid Spurs fan told Mark Kermode on Radio Five that he would only make another if his club finish in the top four.

While it’s a little too late this season, film fans (and people who can recite Jason Bourne’s ‘I can run flat out for half a mile before my hand starts shaking’ speech off by heart, such as myself) will be hoping that the Carling Cup win isn’t just another false dawn for the club.

UPDATE: Eagle-eyed Spoiler fan Ashley informs us that Greengrass is in fact a Palace fan, who was mocking radio host Simon Mayo for his Spurs support. Ultimatum is my favourite film ever, but as a Wimbledon fan, I think I just died a little inside.

Spoiler bonus: here’s what Matt Damon has been up to since his last appearance as the forgetful assassin: