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TEL AVIV, Israel -- The president of Israels football association said Wednesday that there was never any doubt the country could host next years European under-21 football championship, even when Palestinian militants were bombarding Israel with rockets during heavy fighting earlier this month. Avi Luzon also expressed full confidence that the tournament, one of the highest-profile international sporting events ever held in Israel, would proceed safely and smoothly. "There was never any fear that the championship wouldnt happen here," Luzon told Israel TV, adding that UEFA officials "didnt even raise it for a moment." Luzon spoke on the sidelines of the draw for next Junes tournament. Israel was drawn to play England, Norway and Italy in its group, while defending champion Spain is top-seeded in a group that includes the Netherlands, Russia and Germany. The draw was conducted by UEFA in Tel Aviv less than two weeks after the coastal city came under rocket fire during eight days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Israel launched a military offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory on Nov. 14 in a bid to halt months of intensifying rocket fire. In eight days of fighting, Israel carried out some 1,500 airstrikes in Gaza, while Hamas and other militant groups launched a similar number of rockets into Israel. The fighting ended with a cease-fire on Nov. 21. A handful of incoming rockets flew as far as Tel Aviv. Although the rockets either landed in open spaces or were shot down by a new rocket-defence system, the sound of air raid sirens caused widespread jitters in the bustling coastal metropolis caused widespread jitters. Sporting events in southern Israel were cancelled, and in one instance, sirens disrupted a match in the Tel Aviv area, sending spectators rushing to the exits for cover. Security concerns also led football officials to postpone a Europa League match between Israels Hapoel Kiryat Shmona and Spanish club Athletic Bilbao. The match was being made up in the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Wednesday. Luzon said the only time UEFA officials had raised any security concerns with him was after a bus bombing in Tel Aviv wounded 27 people last week. He said UEFA President Michel Platini immediately stepped in and offered to join Israeli and Spanish football officials at Wednesday nights match. "I think that is the best show of faith," he said. Football coaches attending Wednesday evenings draw expressed confidence in Israels ability to protect players and fans in the tournament. "We have no concerns and we have complete trust in our Israeli friends," said Italian coach Devis Mangia. Norways coach, Per Joar Hansen, said his team was well aware of the "big problems" in Israel. "Of course the situation here isnt good. But we arent worried," he said. "We arent interested in politics, we just want to play. And were confident well be able to do that safely." In Israel, Spain will head a stellar group that includes the winners of the past four editions of a tournament which traditionally builds the reputation of star prospects. Juan Mata was named best player at the 2011 finals in Denmark, weeks before Chelsea agreed to pay a reported C30 million (then $43 million) to sign the Spain winger from Valencia. Germanys winning team in 2009 featured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and playmaker Mesut Oezil who one year later helped the senior team reach the World Cup semifinals. Previous tournament stars include Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech (2002), Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo (2000) and Portugal playmaker Luis Figo (1994). Israel has hosted numerous World Cup qualifiers, Davis Cup matches and European basketball playoff games. Israeli coach Guy Luzon, a former player and nephew of the football association president, also insisted there would be no security concerns at the UEFA tournament. "Israel is one the safest places in the world. I dont think this will be an issue for our players and fans. We have some of the best security in the world," he said. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . -- After four years of futility, the Jacksonville Jaguars are heading in a different direction. Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . Getting recruiting calls from All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, along with DeAndre Jordan, convinced him it was a good move. "When players of that calibre want you on their team you really have to sit down and look at that," Crawford said Thursday by phone from Seattle. http://pavansukhdev.org/wholesalejerseys.html . Buck Pierce, New Mexico State (8th CFL/3rd Winnipeg) How can you not pull for a guy like this? A true warrior, that has no regard for his body and leaves it all on the field everytime he plays.TORONTO – The BlackBerry belonging to Leafs General Manager Brian Burke rang every 30 seconds or so on Sunday afternoon as he marched in Torontos Pride parade. In most cases though the price-tag didnt fit and as a result the Leafs stayed relatively quiet on July 1st, signing just one player during the annual kick-off to free agency. "I think the first time I gave this rant was probably in 98, maybe 99," Burke said with a smirk early Sunday evening. "I believe our group makes more mistakes on July 1st than we do all the rest of the year combined. I think we hand out contracts with unrealistic values and unrealistic term and I think these are things when youre in a hard-cap system that bite you right in the butt at some point. "Im not surprised we werent able to do more. We could have; we had cap-space, we had the money, ownership has authorized us to spend. I just dont think it was a prudent way to spend money." 29-year-old Kingston, Ontario native Jay McClement emerged as the Leafs initial dip into the thinning pool of unrestricted free agents. The six-foot, 205 pound centre was inked to a two-year deal for a reasonable $3 million after spending the past two seasons in Colorado with the Avalanche.  A second round pick of the Blues in 2001, McClement had a big fan in head coach Randy Carlyle, who offered significant input to the management team on potential free agent signings.  "Randy was pretty excited about this," Burke said of McClement. Slated to line up as the clubs third-line centre – pushing David Steckel down to the fourth rung – McClement adds much-needed size and penalty-killing complement  – he led the Avalanche in shorthanded ice-time last season – to the Leafs bottom six.  The annual offseason renovation period leaves the club with considerable upgrades still to fill – they have slightly less than $13 million in cap space according to Cap Geek with two significant restricted free agents in Cody Franson and Nik Kulemin to sign – namely up front in the first-line centre spot and in goal, if possible. The trade market is sure to be the most desirable avenue for these transactions though with a thin free agent pool again the norm this summer.  "We need to get bigger," Burke explained of his clubs needs. "Were still looking to solve or upgrade the goaltending situation. Were still looking to add at centre or upgrade at centre if we can...I felt all along wed have to address thesee things through trade and thats how were going to have to do them.dddddddddddd" Burke said the Leafs may have to look internally for options down the middle if the right trade fails to surface, while expressing careful interest in the services of future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur. "My belief is that New Jersey intends to re-sign him and thats his first choice and Ill be surprised if it doesnt go down that way," Burke said of the longtime Devil. "Were certainly in the hunt there to see what the price-tag is anyway." The internal side of the ledger saw the Leafs lock up three players, 24-year-old Matt Frattin being the most notable among them (Jussi Rynnas and Ryan Hamilton the others). Frattin was signed for two years at $1.7 million, poised to join the Leafs in a full-time capacity next fall. The budding winger totaled eight goals and 15 points in 56 games as a rookie last season, adding 10 goals in 13 playoff games with the Marlies. His year ended prematurely though because of a knee injury that may sideline him for the beginning of the regular season. "We think this is a guy whos going to step right in and play right away for us and has top-six potential as a forward," Burke said of Frattin, who had surgery late in the spring. "Hes a big body guy who uses his weight well; like in the playoffs he looked a lot like Dustin Brown to use an example. We think hes a big part of the future here." Injuries (in addition to the readiness of Frattin among others) spelled an end to Colby Armstrongs career in Toronto just prior to free agency, the Leafs buying out the oft-injured wingers contract on Saturday. "If it wasnt for bad luck he wouldve had no luck as a Leaf," Burke noted of Armstrong, who played in only 79 games over two seasons as a Leaf, missing time with a string of unfortunate injuries. "He just couldnt stay healthy and I think the injuries and the recovery period from them broke him down as a player. He wasnt able to get there at the end."  With the McClement signing, Frattins ascendance and Van Riemsdyks addition to the organization last week, the Leafs have a glut of forwards on their roster, opening further the possibility of a trade as the renovations continue. Upgrades at centre and in goal remain the most likely this avenue though the blueline could stand to add further stability. "Were not done yet," Burke ultimately concluded. "This is a starting point." ' ' '