The A-League off-season is far too long but there is hope on the horizon with the season launch today. And it looks like it will start with a bang with major derbies in the opening round.

And in a major endorsement of the A-League, Hyundai has signed on for another four years. Despite the non-admission of Gold Coast Galaxy and Northern Thunder this season, things are moving forward with big games to be held on Boxing Day and New Years Eve, squad sizes up to 30-35 players including 10-12 youth players and the salary cap up to $1.9 million.

I just wish August 15 could arrive a little sooner!

Richard Cann
Deputy editor, Australian FourFourTwo

442 News

Forums
Have you checked out the FourFourTwo forums yet? They're now alive and kicking and, put simply, if you're a true fan of football in Australia we want you. Register now!

Four... things you must know about the week in football

Australia News
A-League - Who's In, Who's Out
The A-League off-season signings and rumours continue at pace - make sure you're up to date with all the news of who is going where.

<IMG style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" alt="<IMG style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" alt="<IMG style=&quot;BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px&quot; alt='<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_FourThingsKnow_niMustKnow1_imgImage style=&quot;BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid&quot; src=&quot;http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif&quot; align=left>' src=&quot;http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/utils/imgresizer.aspx?w=73&amp;amp;n=http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/news/aleaguerough.jpg&quot;>" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/utils/imgresizer.aspx?w=73&amp;n=http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/news/73330731.jpg">" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/utils/imgresizer.aspx?w=73&n=http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/news/aleaguerough.jpg">

Australia News
Milligan Heads Home To Face Music
Mark Milligan is in the thick of it yet again, this time failing to turn up for an Olyroo training camp amid speculation he was trialing for Arsenal in the UK. The FFA want answers!

World News
Who Are Europe's Top Dogs?
With Manchester United and Chelsea through to the Champions League Final in Moscow next month, it is the first time we have two English clubs fight it out. So why is the English Premier League so strong?

<IMG style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" alt='<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_FourThingsKnow_niMustKnow3_imgImage style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif" align=left>' src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/utils/imgresizer.aspx?w=73&n=http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/news/79477877.jpg">

Australia News
Rangers, Zenit Make UEFA Cup Final
Nacho Novo and Neil Alexander were the heroes as Rangers booked a place in the UEFA Cup final following an epic semi-final clash against Fiorentina.

Four... things we loved this week

442Tube
New Nike Evolution - Euros TV ad - not being shown in Australia
The bar has been set extremely high for football ads, but check out Nike's new ad for Euro 08 by Madonna's hubbie and "Mr Lock Stock" Guy Ritchie. Superstars, killer moves, humour, twists and turns and fantastic production. Yet another high water mark. Watch Now.

<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_FourThingsLoved_niLoved1_imgImage style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif" align=left>

Australia News
Harry's Coming Home For Roos
Good news! Harry Kewell will be home to take on Ghana on May 23. Here's hoping he's back again in June when Pim's headaches include an expected rush of babies and not surprisingly, an absent Viduka.

Australia News
Matildas Soaked By USA
There's nothing like mucking about in puddles. Check out the pics from the Matildas' wet and wild adventures here. There's more big games on the horizon for our girls. The Matildas will enjoy a World Cup re-match against Canada in the curtain-raiser for the Socceroos game vs Ghana this month.

<IMG style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" alt='<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_FourThingsLoved_niLoved3_imgImage style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif" align=left>' src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/utils/imgresizer.aspx?w=73&n=http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/news/80843835.jpg">

State League
Females can score a goal for the Breast Cancer Foundation
Football NSW and TeleChoice are calling all females to show their true team colours this Mothers Day weekend by attending a TeleChoice Premier League match to help raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_FourThingsLoved_niLoved4_imgImage style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif" align=left>

Two... things that made us laugh

World News
Ronaldo: Deals Not At Risk After Transvestite Row
It was an honest mistake. Sometimes it's difficult to tell, even if there were three of them... If Ronaldo's sponsors do take offence, there's sure to be new ones to take their place - cosmetics companies, fashion houses...

Australia News
FourTwoTwo Battles SBS on the Pitch
What better way to warm up for Euro 2008 than with a good competitive game of five-a-side football? After putting the finishing touches to their co-produced Complete Guide to Euro 2008, FourFourTwo and SBS, hit the futsal court to see who had the skills to match their talk.

<IMG id=NewsletterTemplate1_TwoThingsLaugh_niLaugh2_imgImage style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; WIDTH: 73px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid" src="http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/blank.gif" align=left>

This message was sent to #EmailAddr#
as part of your membership to FourFourTwo.
If you no longer wish to receive special announcements like this one, please unsubscribe.

To receive other FREE Haymarket Media newsletters, click here.

We respect your privacy, should you no longer wish to receive mailings from FourFourTwo Australia, simply click on the link above. Please do not reply to this email. To view our Privacy Policy, go to the Haymarket Media Privacy Policy. Your comments and suggestions about this email and other Haymarket Media products or services can be emailed to support@haymarketmedia.com.au

Haymarket Media