2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season
The 2006–07 season was Manchester City Football Club's fifth consecutive season playing in the FA Premier League, the top division of English football, and its tenth season since the Premier League was first created with Manchester City as one of its original 22 founding member clubs. Overall, it was the team's 115th season playing in a division of English football, most of which have been spent in the top flight.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
The 2006–07 season proved tough for club which skirmished with relegation from the Premier League and ended up finishing in 14th position. The club were again eliminated from the League Cup by a League One team, this time by Chesterfield early on in the season. Ben Thatcher's elbow challenge on Pedro Mendes whilst playing Portsmouth shocked many – a challenge which prompted City to take unprecedented action and banned Thatcher for six matches by the club and a six weeks fine. Pearce called the challenge "indefensible" and the Football Association banned Thatcher for a further eight matches. The side also scored just ten goals at home in the league, and none after New Years Day in 2007, a record low in top-flight English football.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Season review
In December 2006, the club issued a statement regarding a possible takeover, and on 21 June, the Manchester City board accepted an £81.6 million offer for the club from Thaksin Shinawatra. One of his first moves was to schedule a press conference to announce former-England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson as his new manager – Eriksson's first job since leaving international duty.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
For this season, the shirt sponsor for all of the club's kits continued to be the previous season's sponsor, Thomas Cook, while the team kits were produced by the previous season's supplier, Reebok.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Historical league performance
Prior to this season, the history of Manchester City's performance in the English football league hierarchy since the creation of the Premier League in 1992 is summarised by the following timeline chart – which commences with the last season (1991–92) of the old Football League First Division (from which the Premier League was formed).


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Friendly games
This season not all of the team's friendly games were played during the preparatory run-in to the official start of the new league campaign, with a couple of friendly games taking place during the course of the active season.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Friendly games
The first of these games was perhaps just a "belated pre-season friendly" that was played with the season still only nine days old, while the other one against Blackpool in February was more of a mutually arranged scrimmage behind closed doors, with one of its intended purposes being to provide a "friendly competitive" tryout for the 28-year-old Belgian international striker, Émile Mpenza, who at the time the Manchester club was considering signing.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Friendly games
This impromptu scrimmage served as a key part of Mpenza's brief trial with City and saw him perform well enough, with his scoring of the second goal in the 3–0 win, that he was subsequently signed by City two days later (his unattached free agent status permitting him to be signed outside of the January transfer window). The extemporaneous Valentine's Day friendly also gave some City players in need of match fitness, such as Didi Hamann and Stephen Jordan, a chance to get a full 90 minutes of play under their belts.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Results summary
Last updated: 13 May 2007 (end of season). Source: Premier League results 2006–07


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Points breakdown
Points against "Big Four" teams: 4 Points against promoted teams: 6


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Biggest & smallest
Biggest home wins: 3–1 vs. Fulham, 18 November 2006 000000000000000002–0 vs. West Ham United, 23 September 2006 Biggest home defeat: 0–3 vs. Blackburn Rovers, 20 January 2007 Biggest away wins: 1–3 vs. Aston Villa, 29 November 2006  & vs. Fulham, 9 April 2007 0000000000000000 0–2 vs. Middlesbrough, 17 March 2007 Biggest away defeat: 4–0 vs. Wigan Athletic, 21 October 2006 Biggest home attendance: 47,244 vs. Manchester United, 5 May 2007 Smallest home attendance: 35,776 vs. Fulham, 18 November 2006 Biggest away attendance: 75,858 vs. Manchester United, 9 December 2006 Smallest away attendance: 16,235 vs. Wigan Athletic, 21 October 2006


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Manchester City F.C. season, Goal scorers, FA Cup
Information current as of 13 May 2007 (end of season)


2006–07 Manchester Phoenix season, Roster
2 – Hecl •6 – Basiuk •10 – Vychodil •22 – Radmall •64 – Mangos •


2006–07 Manchester Phoenix season, Roster
9 – Hand •12 – Gomez •15 – Molin •16 – Watson •16 – Clouthier •18 – Battaglia •18 – Pařez •21 – Rich •29 – Walker •37 – Campbell •39 – Miller •49 – Timmons •


2006–07 Manchester Phoenix season, Player stats, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Total Points; PIM = Penalty Minutes


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2006–07 season was Manchester United's 15th season in the Premier League, and their 32nd consecutive season in the top division of English football. United enjoyed a much more successful season than the previous three seasons, winning the Premier League by a six-point margin over Chelsea. They also reached the final of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, losing to Chelsea and Milan respectively. However, for all their success in the major competitions, the club was unable to defend the League Cup title they had won in 2005–06, losing to Southend United in the Fourth Round.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season
Manchester United were not only dominant on a team level in 2006–07, but also on an individual level, with eight United players earning spots in the PFA Team of the Year, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo picking up no less than eight individual awards for his performances over the season and Sir Alex Ferguson winning the Premier League's Manager of the Season award.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2006–07 season also marked the 50th anniversary of the Busby Babes' first foray into European competition. The event was marked by a charity football match, organised in collaboration with UEFA, who were commemorating 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome, against a team of the best players from Europe's top clubs.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United began their pre-season in July 2006 with the Vodacom Challenge in South Africa, their first time in the country for 13 years. The tournament involved matches against South Africa's top two teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, followed by a further match against the winner of a play-off between the two host sides. The Red Devils started well, beating Orlando Pirates 4–0 in their first game, but almost came unstuck against Kaizer Chiefs, requiring an 83rd-minute goal from Dong Fangzhuo to secure the 1–0 win. Kaizer Chiefs then beat Orlando Pirates in the play-off, and managed to hold a relatively sub-par United side to a 0–0 draw before beating them 4–3 on penalties.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The team then took their pre-season back to Britain, beating Celtic 3–0 at Parkhead. This was followed by a 2–1 defeat to Preston North End, but the team bounced back to defeat Macclesfield Town 2–1 two days later.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The start of August saw United take part in the Amsterdam Tournament, involving Ajax, Inter Milan and Porto. The Reds played two games in Amsterdam, beating both Porto and Ajax, but the tournament will be remembered mostly for the sendings-off of both Paul Scholes – for a clumsy, mistimed challenge in the match against Porto – and Wayne Rooney – who inadvertently caught Porto defender Pepe in the face with his hand as he jumped uncontested for a high ball. In accordance with FIFA disciplinary procedure, the red cards resulted in the pair missing the first three games of the season.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Back to Britain again, and a fixture against Oxford United was next up, which United won comfortably 4–1. Finally, United returned home to Old Trafford on 12 August for their only home friendly of the 2006–07 pre-season. The visitors were Sevilla, who helped mark the official opening of Old Trafford's new North-West and North-East quadrants with a 3–0 win to United in front of a half-capacity crowd.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United played one more friendly during the 2006–07 season, the UEFA Celebration Match on 13 March. The match marked the 50th anniversary of the Busby Babes' first foray into European competition and 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome, the treaty that laid the foundations for what became known as the European Union. The Red Devils took on a European XI, coached by the 2006 World Cup-winning manager Marcelo Lippi.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
The original squad selected by Lippi was hit by last minute injuries and withdrawals by some big names like Ronaldinho and David Beckham, forcing replacements to be drawn from Premier League teams like Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth at short notice. Henrik Larsson was named captain for the Europe XI, the day after his loan spell at Old Trafford came to an end. United started the game very brightly, finding themselves 4–1 up at half-time, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wes Brown. However, no further goals came for the home side as the visitors scored two consolation goals, leaving United as 4–3 winners.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
After an impressive pre-season, losing only two out of the ten games played, United began the Premier League season in earnest. Coming up against a Fulham side that had caused them so many problems in the past, United ran riot, scoring four goals inside the first twenty minutes at Old Trafford and eventually triumphing 5–1. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals between them against Fulham, but the partnership was broken up for the next game against Charlton by Rooney's suspension, picked up in the friendly against Porto.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Nevertheless, United ran out 3–0 winners over the team that would end the season in 19th place, with goals coming from Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who scored his first Premiership goal since April 2003. August was rounded off with a 2–1 win away to Watford, the winner scored by Ryan Giggs, who was celebrating his 600th start for United.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The team carried this rich vein of form into September, narrowly beating Tottenham 1–0 to make it four wins out of four. United's best start to a Premiership campaign came to an end, however, with the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford. The Red Devils survived an early scare when new goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak saved a penalty he had given away when he brought down Emmanuel Adebayor, but Adebayor made amends for Gilberto's missed spot-kick by scoring the winning goal four minutes from time, and knocking United from the Premiership top spot for the first time in the season.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
This minor slump in form continued against Reading the following weekend, United requiring a 73rd-minute equaliser from Cristiano Ronaldo to salvage a 1–1 draw. However, the Reds were not to be deterred and went on to win all four of their matches in October, starting with a 2–0 victory at home to Newcastle, both goals coming from Ole Solskjær. Wins against Wigan and arch-rivals Liverpool followed, and the month culminated with a 4–0 drubbing of Bolton Wanderers, Wayne Rooney scoring a hat-trick.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The winning streak went on for another three matches, against Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sheffield United, taking the total to seven wins in a row before the visit of reigning champions Chelsea to the Theatre of Dreams. United got off to a flying start with two goalscoring chances coming early on, before Saha scored the opening goal in the 29th minute. The French striker picked up a defence-splitting pass from Wayne Rooney, before taking the ball onto his left foot and passing it around Ricardo Carvalho and beyond Carlo Cudicini's reach into the bottom-left corner of the net. The only other goal of the game fell to Ricardo Carvalho, securing a point for Chelsea and maintaining the Blues' three-point deficit behind United at the top of the table.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Following the Chelsea draw, United won another three games on the bounce, including a 3–1 victory in the Manchester derby, extending the Reds' unbeaten run to 12 games and their lead at the top of the table to 8 points. However, a 75th-minute Nigel Reo-Coker goal for West Ham United brought about only United's second defeat of the season, and allowed Chelsea to close the gap at the top to two points. Nevertheless, the Red Devils recovered, bouncing back from that defeat and beating Aston Villa 3–0 away from home. The match had many highlights, not least of which were Cristiano Ronaldo's dazzling form and a 25-yard volleyed goal from Paul Scholes, which was voted as the BBC's goal of the month for December 2006.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Ronaldo's contribution did not stop with his two goals against Villa, as he scored two more braces in his next two league games against Wigan and Reading. In fact, the Portuguese youngster won five out of the six Man of the Match awards for December, and he was named the Player of the Month for December.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
The club's form was not immediately transferred into the new year as the Reds failed to beat Newcastle on New Year's Day, and then lost to Arsenal three weeks later. Fortunately, these two results were punctuated by emphatic wins over Aston Villa (3–1) and Watford (4–0). January 2007 also saw the arrival of Celtic and Sweden legend Henrik Larsson at Old Trafford. The striker was brought in to bolster United's thin strike force, of which the only fit members at the time were Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, whose increasing age and long-term knee injury caused him to be restricted to substitute appearances at the most.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
February began with a trip to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham. The match began slowly, with United having to wait until just before half-time for their first goal, a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Nemanja Vidić scored the second just after the break, before Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs rounded off United's second four-goal haul in the space of a week. Unfortunately, the match ended badly for Edwin van der Sar, as he broke his nose bravely going into a challenge with Robbie Keane. United had already used all three of their substitutions, and were forced to put John O'Shea in goal. The Irish defender committed himself well to the task, and managed to keep a clean sheet, including one desperate save in a one-on-one with Robbie Keane.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
After a 2–0 victory over Charlton, an away match at Fulham followed at the end of the month. Brian McBride put the Cottagers 1–0 up after 17 minutes, but Ryan Giggs managed to keep the Reds in the game with an equaliser just before the half-hour mark. Going into the last five minutes, the match looked like it was going to finish as a draw, and with Chelsea not playing that weekend, United couldn't afford to allow them any ground.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Then, with two minutes to go, Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball near the halfway line and burst past the challenges of Moritz Volz and Clint Dempsey, before cutting into the area and smashing the ball along the ground into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The result put United nine points clear of Chelsea with ten games left in the season.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United then travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool in their next game. Despite losing Wayne Rooney through injury and having Paul Scholes sent off for a late clash with Xabi Alonso, John O'Shea gave United a winner in injury time after Pepe Reina had fumbled Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick. Edwin van der Sar had previously saved brilliantly from Peter Crouch. Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated the winner in his own unique fashion on the touchline, and it was easy to see why after his side had somehow fashioned a crucial three points.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Following the win at Anfield, United hosted Bolton Wanderers in their next game. United lost injured Gary Neville early on, but Park Ji-sung slid home from close-range after 14 minutes. The brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo ran through before setting up Rooney to chip in the second and then Park bundled home a third before the break. Rooney struck home again through a crashing volley. Gary Speed pulled a goal back with an 87th-minute penalty, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal for Bolton.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United ended March with another 4–1 home win, this time against Blackburn Rovers. Nemanja Vidić was forced off with a broken collarbone, and the visitors found themselves a goal up a minute later, when Matt Derbyshire slotted home. Paul Scholes equalised when he fired in after 61 minutes, and a side-footed goal from Michael Carrick gave United the lead. Park pounced to add a third and an Ole Gunnar Solskjær drive completed United's comeback.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United opened April with a 2–1 loss to Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Matt Taylor gave Pompey the lead after Edwin van der Sar could only parry Benjani's shot. United pushed forward but David James denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs before Rio Ferdinand put Taylor's pass into his own net to put Pompey 2-0 up. John O'Shea replied with a goal from close range, but James denied United a last-gasp equaliser after saving from Alan Smith.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United opened a six-point advantage over rivals Chelsea with a comfortable home win against Sheffield United. Michael Carrick gave United the lead after four minutes, lifting Cristiano Ronaldo's pass over the advancing Paddy Kenny. Wayne Rooney doubled United's lead with an emphatic finish after 50 minutes. Michael Tonge came closest for the Blades, hitting the bar with a curling 20-yard drive two minutes from time.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United dropped two points in the title race with Chelsea with 1–1 draw at home with Middlesbrough. United took an early lead when Kieran Richardson slotted home after Wayne Rooney had collected Paul Scholes' pass and rounded Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer. However, in stoppage time in the first half, Boro got a deserved equaliser, as Mark Viduka's diving header beat Edwin van der Sar. United struggled to break Boro down after the break and were indebted to Van der Sar's save to thwart Viduka.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United finished April with a 4–2 win over Everton at Goodison Park, moving five points clear in the title race. Everton took the lead on 12 minutes when Alan Stubbs' free-kick was deflected in off Michael Carrick. On 50 minutes, Manuel Fernandes smashed into the top corner to double their lead but John O'Shea halved it when he swept in after Iain Turner's error. An own goal from United old boy Phil Neville levelled the scores before Wayne Rooney put United ahead and Chris Eagles sealed the win. The result meant United moved two points further away from Chelsea, who were held by Bolton 2-2, with three games to play.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
Manchester United moved to within touching distance of the Premiership title after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty gave them victory at Manchester City in United's first match in May. Ronaldo scored in the 34th minute after he was fouled by Michael Ball, who had earlier stamped viciously on him. City wasted their best chance when goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saved Darius Vassell's penalty 11 minutes from time after Wes Brown fouled Ball. The following day, Chelsea's failure to beat Arsenal handed the title to United for the first time since 2003. It was also United's 9th Premiership title, and their 16th overall.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United played out a 0–0 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 9 May. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea counterpart José Mourinho both fielded weakened sides, resting their senior players for the FA Cup Final (which Chelsea eventually won 1–0). Chelsea looked more likely winners in what was mostly a low-key encounter. United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was erratic, but made several saves and Kieran Lee also cleared off the line from Ben Sahar in the closing minutes.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Premier League
United finished their FA Premier League campaign with a 1–0 loss to West Ham United, who retained their Premier League status with a close range goal at half time from Carlos Tevez. Manchester United wasted a string of chances as West Ham fought fiercely for their top-flight status at the expense of Sheffield United, who lost to Wigan. West Ham stood firm to pull-off an amazing relegation escape and spoil Sir Alex Ferguson's title party.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
Manchester United opened their FA Cup campaign against Aston Villa. Henrik Larsson opened the scoring ten minutes into the second half with a fine volley, his first goal in a Manchester United shirt. Ryan Giggs almost doubled United's lead when his free-kick hit the crossbar, before Villa substitute Milan Baroš equalised, when he slid a low shot in the corner. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjær gave United a last-minute winner, when an error from Gábor Király allowed Solskjær to score with a tame shot.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United booked a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2–1 victory over Portsmouth. United were denied a goal when a header from Nemanja Vidić crossed the line before being cleared by Pedro Mendes. Portsmouth were under the cosh for most of the game but hung on until Wayne Rooney came off the bench on the hour mark. Rooney tapped in a cross from Ryan Giggs to break the 0–0 deadlock, before doubling United's lead with an audacious chip over the head of David James. Nwankwo Kanu grabbed a consolation in the 87th minute when a shot from Mendes deflected off the Nigerian and Tomasz Kuszczak.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
In the fifth round, United met Reading, who were managed by former Red Steve Coppell. The match was played on 17 February. Michael Carrick unleashed a shot from outside the edge of the box that rocketed past Adam Federici into the net to give United a first-half lead. Cristiano Ronaldo had three shots on goal in the opening minutes of the second half, but all of them went wide. Brynjar Gunnarsson scored against the run of play in the 67th minute to equalise for Reading, when he powered a header past Tomasz Kuszczak. Coppell's side managed to hold United to a draw and salvage a replay.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
The replay against Reading was played on 27 February. Three goals in the first six minutes gave United a 3–2 victory. Gabriel Heinze opened the scoring after two minutes, when his 25-yard shot squeezed under Adam Federici's body. Louis Saha rifled in an angled volley to make it 2–0, before Ole Gunnar Solskjær slotted home a third. Reading pulled one back through Dave Kitson's header before Leroy Lita's late strike ensured a thrilling finish.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United met Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The game was played on 10 March. Wayne Rooney put United ahead after 23 minutes with a low drive, but Lee Cattermole volleyed Boro level on the half-time point. George Boateng headed in Middlesbrough's second a minute after half-time, but then handled Rio Ferdinand's header in the 66th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo converted the subsequent penalty to hand United a replay.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
The replay against Middlesbrough was played on 19 March. The game was at a 0–0 stalemate until the 76th minute, when Cristiano Ronaldo once again converted from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded when the winger was chopped down by behind from Jonathan Woodgate. The impressive Mark Schwarzer had twice thwarted Wayne Rooney when the striker had been put clean through with Boro on the back foot throughout. Boro substitute James Morrison was sent-off in injury time for a reckless lunge on Ronaldo. United won the game 1–0 to send them through to the last four.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United booked a ticket in the FA Cup Final with a 4–1 win over Watford. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring when he fired home an excellent 20-yard drive after just six minutes, but Watford equalised through Hameur Bouazza's overhead kick in the 26th minute. United restored their lead two minutes later when Cristiano Ronaldo bundled in Rooney's cross, and Rooney wrapped up the win with a close finish after 66 minutes. Substitute Kieran Richardson chipped in a fourth to secure United's place in the final.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United lost the FA Cup Final, the first FA Cup Final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium, 1–0 to Chelsea. The game was goal-less after 90 minutes, and looked set to be going towards penalties until Didier Drogba poked home a late winner in the 116th minute. Receiving Mikel John Obi's pass, Drogba clipped the ball to Frank Lampard before spinning into the box. The England midfielder delivered the perfect volleyed return to Drogba who nipped ahead of Edwin van der Sar before poking home. Chelsea tried to halt a United comeback, which was virtually impossible, for which Chelsea received three yellow cards. United could not find a goal to pull back, thus meaning that Chelsea were the first FA Cup winners at the new Wembley.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
As one of the eight FA Premier League teams involved in European competition in the 2006–07 season, Manchester United entered the League Cup in the third round. United were also the defending champions of the League Cup. The draw took place on 23 September, and United were given an away tie with Football League One side Crewe Alexandra. The match was played on 25 October, and United won 2–1 after extra time.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
United went ahead through Ole Gunnar Solskjær's 26th-minute strike, but the hosts grabbed an equaliser, when Luke Varney beat Tomasz Kuszczak in the 73rd minute to send the game to extra time. Substitute Kieran Lee struck a winner two minutes before the end, when he slid home Alan Smith's through ball.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 25 October, and United were given an away tie with Football League Championship side Southend United. The match was played on 7 November. However, Southend pulled off an upset win by winning 1–0 and dumping the holders out of the League Cup. The struggling Championship side booked their place in the Fifth Round thanks to a 30-yard free-kick from Freddy Eastwood in the 27th minute. United tried to respond, but Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by two saves from Darryl Flahavan. David Jones' drive then crashed against the post before John O'Shea saw Flahavan tip over his cross-shot. Southend clung on for a shock win.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
The draw for the group stage of the Champions League took place on 24 August 2006. As one of the eight top ranked teams in Europe, Manchester United would avoid being drawn against defending champions Barcelona. They would also avoid facing Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Milan, the other English teams (Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea (who were in Pot 2, but would still avoid facing United due to the 'country protection rule')), and others. However, they could still be drawn against FC Bayern Munich, PSV, Celtic and others. Eventually, United were drawn against Celtic, Benfica and Copenhagen.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United opened their 2006–07 UEFA Champions League campaign with an entertaining 3–2 victory over Celtic on 13 September. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave Celtic the lead with a low shot after 21 minutes. However, United equalised with a Louis Saha penalty, awarded when Celtic keeper Artur Boruc fouled Ryan Giggs, and United took the lead when Saha swept home both his and United's second goal. A free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura pulled Celtic level, but an awful mistake from Thomas Gravesen just seconds into the second half allowed Ole Gunnar Solskjær to score a third goal for United.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United then travelled to face Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on 26 September. Despite being outplayed during the first half, while Nuno Gomes just off target, United – who were wearing their white change kit – took the lead through Louis Saha, who struck with a rising angled drive on the hour mark, giving United their first away win in the UEFA Champions League for almost three years. United took control after the goal, and forced Benfica keeper Quim into several fine saves in the dying stages.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
For the first of their two matches with Copenhagen, United hosted the Danish champions at Old Trafford on 17 October. United won 3–0. Paul Scholes fire United ahead from 25 yards six minutes before the break, and John O'Shea doubled United's lead seconds after the break, when he bundled home Cristiano Ronaldo's corner. Poor goalkeeping from Jesper Christiansen allowed a tame shot from substitute Kieran Richardson to slide in eight minutes from time.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
The return leg against FC Copenhagen was played on 1 November. A weakened United side lost 1–0. Former Aston Villa striker Marcus Allbäck poked home the winner after 73 minutes to leave United with more work needed to reach the knockout phase. And Sir Alex Ferguson's side had only themselves to blame for a lacklustre approach and a host of missed chances. John O'Shea and Wayne Rooney both wasted easy opportunities to score.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
A second successive 1–0 loss, this time to Celtic, pushed United down to second place in Group F and qualified the Scottish champions for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase. Shunsuke Nakamura scored the only goal with nine minutes to go, when he curled a sweet 30-yard strike into the top corner of the net. United striker Louis Saha was guilty of a terrible miss when he appeared to assume he was offside. Things got worse for Saha when Celtic keeper Artur Boruc saved the Frenchman's last-minute penalty.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United qualified for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase as winners of Group F with a 3–1 victory over Benfica. Benfica took the lead midway through the first half when Nélson drilled in a 25-yard stunner. Nemanja Vidić drew United level with a fine header in stoppage time at the end of the first half, and Ryan Giggs put United ahead with another header, before Louis Saha finished off the scoring from 12 yards.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
The draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League was made on 15 December 2006 in Nyon, Switzerland. Manchester United, as group winners, could have faced teams such as Barcelona and Internazionale, but were eventually paired with Lille, whom they met in the group stage of last season's UEFA Champions League.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
The first leg was played on 20 February 2007. United won 1–0, thanks to a controversial Ryan Giggs goal in the 83rd minute. Giggs curled in a quick free kick in the 83rd minute while the Lille players were still assembling their defensive wall. Lille players, furious that an earlier header by Peter Odemwingie had been ruled out, walked off the pitch as the last 16 first leg clash boiled over. They eventually returned, and United clung on for a crucial victory.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
United propelled into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League thanks to a Henrik Larsson goal in the return game against Lille, played on 7 March. The Swedish forward was playing his final game at Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt. In the first half, United had two good chances, but Wayne Rooney's shot was blocked and John O'Shea hit the bar. Lille grew in confidence but failed to capitalise as Jean Makoun wasted a header from six yards and Peter Odemwingie's header rattled the post. Larsson sealed victory in the 72nd minute when he headed home Cristiano Ronaldo's cross from the left.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
The draw for the final stages, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, was held on Friday, 9 March 2007 in Athens, Greece. United were paired with Roma. The first leg took place on 4 April, and the second leg took place on 10 April. United and Roma were put on the same side of the draw with Milan and Bayern Munich, meaning that United will play either of the teams if they beat Roma.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
In the first leg of the quarter-final with Roma, Paul Scholes was sent off in the 33rd minute, after fouls on Christian Wilhelmsson and Francesco Totti. Rodrigo Taddei gave Roma the lead with a deflected shot in the 44th minute. Wayne Rooney equalised coolly with his first UEFA Champions League goal since 2004, but Mirko Vučinić slid in Roma's second after 66 minutes for a slender lead.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
However, the 2–1 loss to Roma was made redundant with a 7–1 thrashing of Roma in the second leg of the quarter-final. Michael Carrick curled in United's opener and Alan Smith fired home before Wayne Rooney added their third of the night, finishing off a superb move. Cristiano Ronaldo smashed home the fourth goal into the bottom corner and slid home a Ryan Giggs cross before Carrick fired home the sixth. Roma grabbed a consolation goal through Daniele De Rossi before Patrice Evra's low shot finished the scoring.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
Meanwhile, a 2–2 draw at the San Siro and a 2–0 win at the Allianz Arena confirmed Milan's status as United's semi-final opponents. Manchester United's semi-final first leg, played on 24 April, was at home to Milan, and the game ended 3–2 to United. Cristiano Ronaldo gave United the lead with a fifth-minute header, but Kaká drew Milan level with an angled drive after 21 minutes, and gave Milan the lead from close range before the break. Wayne Rooney then turned in Paul Schole's cool pass on the hour to equalise, and won the game for United in the last minute, when he lashed a glorious 20-yard finish past Dida.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase
The return leg against Milan was played on 2 May at the San Siro. Despite winning the first leg, United lost 3–0. Milan were ahead on away goals in the 11th minute, when Clarence Seedorf headed down for Kaká to drill into the corner. Seedorf capitalised on confusion in the United defence to fire in a second after half an hour. And substitute Alberto Gilardino broke away to wrap up an easy win as United were eliminated from the Champions League.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
United's first departure of the 2006–07 season was French forward David Bellion, who departed for Nice for an undisclosed fee on 1 July. A fortnight later, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake signed for Plymouth Argyle for £200,000. A fortnight after the departure of Ebanks-Blake, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy left for Real Madrid. On 10 August, defender Paul McShane and goalkeeper Luke Steele both departed for West Bromwich Albion. At the end of August, Liam Miller signed for Sunderland.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
United's only permanent arrival in the whole of the 2006–07 season was Michael Carrick, who signed from Tottenham Hotspur on 31 July for £13 million, although Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak joined from West Bromwich Albion on an initial season-long loan, while Swedish striker Henrik Larsson came in on a 10-week loan from Helsingborg in January 2007.


2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
During the winter transfer window, David Jones and Tim Howard left United after both had served four years at the club.


2006–07 Mansfield Town F.C. season
During the 2006–07 English football season, Mansfield Town Football Club competed in Football League Two where they finished in 17th position with 54 points.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team represented Marist College during the 2006–07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Red Foxes, led by third year head coach Matt Brady, played their home games at the McCann Center and were members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The team captains were seniors Jared Jordan and Will Whittington. They finished the season 25–9 overall, 14–4 in MAAC play to finish in first place, winning the MAAC regular season championship. They advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament where they lost to Siena.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team
As a regular season conference champion who failed to win their conference tournament, they received an automatic bid to the 2007 National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Oklahoma State in the first round before falling to NC State in the second round. The season was also highlighted by wins over Big Ten Conference opponent Minnesota and Old Dominion, who had defeated eighth-ranked Georgetown two games prior.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Preview
Marist entered the season having finished in third place in the MAAC the previous season. The team returned first team All-MAAC selection Jordan, and third team All-MAAC selection Whittington. Jordan led the NCAA in total assists with 247, and assists per game with 8.5, while Whittington was a prolific 3-point shooter. James Smith, a versatile 7' center, also returned for Marist. With the returning talent, Marist was the unanimous choice to win the conference title. Jordan was selected as the preseason MAAC player of the year, while Whittington was tabbed as a preseason All-MAAC first team selection.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Schedule
The team had a fast start to the season, getting off to a 14–4 mark, and 6–1 in conference play. They would lose three of their next four games, but finished the season on an eight-game winning streak. This enabled Marist to qualify for just their fourth post season appearance (2 NCAA and 1 NIT).


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Schedule
Marist's first highlight of the season was a win over Big Ten member Minnesota in the inaugural Old Spice Classic on November 23. Despite playing SEC foe Arkansas close in the semifinals, the Razorbacks proved too tough down the stretch. Marist concluded the Old Spice Classic by defeating Western Michigan in the third place game. Jordan was named to the All-Tournament Team and selected as the MVP of the tournament. The team continued their highlights, defeating Old Dominion at home on November 29, 84–71. Old Dominion had defeated No. 8 ranked Georgetown just 10 days prior to this matchup. The final score was exactly the same as the previous season, although the Monarchs won that contest. Both teams ended the night with identical 5–2 records as well.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Schedule
On February 24, Marist played their final MAAC game at home against their rival, the Siena Saints. Entering the contest, Marist was 13–4 in MAAC play, while Siena was 12–5. Niagara, who would play against Rider on Sunday afternoon, was also 12–5. There was a potential for a three-way tie for first place should Marist lose the game. The team would need a win to capture the outright MAAC regular season championship for the first time in school history.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Schedule
In a nationally televised game on ESPN2, and in front of a sellout crowd of 3,200, Marist defeated Siena 98–88 in overtime. Both games that the two teams played during the season had been overtime wins for Marist. They ended the regular season slate 23–7 overall, and 14–4 in the MAAC, and clinched the No. 1 seed in the MAAC Tournament, while also setting the school mark for victories in a season (23).


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Schedule
As the No. 1 seed in the MAAC Tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut, they defeated No. 8 seed Canisius 87–63 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, they were matched up again with Siena, for the third time in the season. This time, Siena defeated Marist 86–78, and Siena moved on to the championship game. Because they finished the season as the No. 1 seed, and failed to win their conference tournament, they were an automatic selection to the NIT. In the first round, they were matched up to play at Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Senior guard Will Whittington led Marist with 31 points, as Marist scored the upset, 67–64. It was the first postseason win in school history. Despite Whittington leading the Red Foxes with 18 points, Marist lost to NC State in the second round, 62–69 to end the season.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes men's basketball team, Awards & milestones, MAAC Conference honors
The following players/coaches earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference postseason recognition:


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes women's basketball team
The 2006–07 Marist Red Foxes women's basketball team represented Marist College during the 2006–07 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Red Foxes, led by fifth year head coach Brian Giorgis, played their home games at the McCann Center and were members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. They finished the season 29–6 overall, 17–1 in MAAC play to finish in first place to win the MAAC regular season title.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes women's basketball team
In the MAAC Women's Basketball Tournament, they defeated No. 8 seed Manhattan in the quarterfinals, No. 5 seed Siena in the semifinals, and No. 2 seed Iona in the championship game to win the tournament, and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Tournament. As a No. 13 seed, they upset No. 4 seed and eighth-ranked Ohio State 67–63 in the First Round, upset No. 5 seed and 17th ranked Middle Tennessee State 73–59 in the Second Round before falling to No. 1 seed, and 3rd ranked Tennessee, 46–65 in the Sweet Sixteen.


2006–07 Marist Red Foxes women's basketball team, Preview
Since Brian Giorgis took over the head coaching position at Marist four years prior, the Red Foxes compiled a record of 78–41 overall, and 52–20 in MAAC play. In those four seasons, Marist has won the MAAC regular season crown three times, and been to the NCAA Tournament twice. The team returned first team All-MAAC selection Meg Dahlman, third team All-MAAC selection, and MAAC defensive player of the year, Alisa Kresge, and MAAC All-Rookie team selection Julianne Vianni. Despite this, Iona was the preseason favorite to win it all, while Marist was picked second.


2006–07 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team represented Marquette University in the 2006–07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Eagles, led by 8th-year head coach Tom Crean, played their home games at the Bradley Center as members of the Big East Conference. They lost to Michigan State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.


2006–07 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represented the University of Maryland in the 2006–07 college basketball season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The team was led by 18th-year head coach Gary Williams. Maryland finished with a 25–9 record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they were defeated by Butler.


2006–07 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team, Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.


2006–07 Meistriliiga (ice hockey) season
The 2006-07 Meistriliiga season was the 17th season of the Meistriliiga, the top level of ice hockey in Estonia. Five teams participated in the league, and HK Stars Tallinn won the championship.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season
The Melbourne Victory A-League 2006–07 season was their most successful A-League season. They defeated Adelaide United 6–0 in their first Grand Final, winning the Championship, Premiership and qualifying for the AFC Champions League 2008.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Season summary
Melbourne began the 2006–07 Hyundai A-League season hoping to vastly improve on their 7th place in the inaugural season. Coach Ernie Merrick had made a number of off-season signings to bolster the squad with skill and experience including 3 Brazilians Alessandro, Claudinho, Fred along with Scottish Premier League player Grant Brebner. After a hugely successful Round 2 fixture against Sydney FC at the Telstra Dome (now the Etihad Stadium) in front of a crowd of 39,730, Melbourne Victory announced that they would move all but one match from Olympic Park to Telstra Dome.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Season summary
Melbourne became the first team to complete the A-League double in the history of the competition; clinching the premiership against the New Zealand Knights 4–0 at Olympic Park with 4 rounds of the A-League season remaining, then beating Adelaide United 6–0 in the Grand Final at a sold out Telstra Dome to take the championship. Melbourne also qualified for the 2008 AFC Champions League as A-League Champions.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Players, First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Matches, Pre-season friendlies
Melbourne started their 2006-07 pre-season with a number of practise matches against Victorian Premier League clubs. These included a laboured 1–0 win over Richmond SC, a 2–2 draw against Bulleen Zebras, a 4–0 victory against Green Gully, a 7–0 victory of Kingston City FC and 3-0 victories over Altona Magic and Oakleigh Cannons.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Matches, Pre-season friendlies
Victory also won the QNI North Queensland Trophy by beating leading Chinese Super League team Changchun Yatai 6–1 in the final. Michael Ferrante scored twice early on and then-trialist Grant Brebner added a spectacular thirty-yard free-kick to make it 3–0 at half-time, while Danny Allsopp scored three times in the second half to seal the win. The competition featured fellow A-League side Central Coast Mariners (Victory won 4-2 on penalties), the Young Socceroos (Victory lost 5-6 on penalties), and Changchun Yatai (Victory won 3–1 in the first meeting).


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Matches, Pre-season friendlies
Melbourne kicked off their A-League Pre-Season Cup campaign with a disappointing 1–0 loss to Adelaide United at Launceston's Aurora Stadium in front of 6,834 spectators. The second match saw them play out a 1–1 draw away to Perth Glory, with Daniel Allsopp scoring Melbourne's only goal. Back at Olympic Park for the final group match, they were soundly beaten 3-1 by the Central Coast Mariners, ending the club's hopes of progressing to the next round of the competition. A "bonus round" match finished off the group stage, with the Melbourne defeating Newcastle Jets 3–2.


2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season, Matches, Pre-season friendlies
In the first match of a rather meaningless playoff section involving the lower placed teams of the group stage, Victory defeated the Queensland Roar 4-2 on penalties, having been locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes of play. The match was held at Epping Stadium in the outer north of Melbourne. The final match of the pre-season cup saw the Victory defeat Perth Glory 1–0 at Olympic Park in front of 2,215 loyal fans, and finish the competition in 5th place.


2006–07 Memphis Grizzlies season
The 2006-07 Memphis Grizzlies season was the team's 12th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 49-33 output from the previous season. However, they came up 27 games shy, finishing 22-60, and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The Grizzlies had the worst team defensive rating in the NBA.


2006–07 Memphis Grizzlies season
Mike Fratello was fired in December after a 6-24 start. He was later replaced by Tony Barone.


2006–07 Memphis Grizzlies season
Team captain Pau Gasol missed the first half of the season after suffering a foot injury during the Olympics.


2006–07 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2006–07 college basketball season, the 86th season of Tiger basketball. The Tigers were coached by seventh-year head coach John Calipari, and they played their home games at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.


2006–07 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals
The 2006–07 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals took place in Varberg, Sweden from 3 to 7 January 2007. Allmänna Idrottsklubben Innebandyförening, better known simply as AIK, won the EuroFloorball Cup after narrowly defeating Warberg IC 6–5.


2006–07 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals
The tournament was known as the 2006–07 Men's European Cup, but due to name implications, is now known as the 2006–07 Men's EuroFloorball Cup.


2006–07 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey season
The 2006–07 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey team represented Mercyhurst College in the 2006–07 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season. The Lakers were coached by Michael Sisti and went 11-0-1 in their conference. Mercyhurst had the second-best scoring defense in Division I in 2006-2007. It would be the rookie season of Meghan Agosta. She was the first freshman ever to be in the Final 3 for the Patty Kazmaier Award. No other freshman had made it that far in voting.


2006–07 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey season, Regular season
The Lakers made local, regional and national headlines (features in the USA Today and New York Times). In late November, the Lakers were ranked #1 and stayed there for 11 consecutive weeks. In addition, the Lakers accumulated a 24-game unbeaten streak to finish the season (twenty two wins and two losses).


2006–07 Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey season, Postseason
Mercyhurst hosted its first-ever Division I NCAA playoff game on March 9, 2007, and, for the third straight year, lost in the quarterfinals, this time to Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in overtime. Once again, the Lakers never trailed until the final horn.


2006–07 Mestis season
The 2006–07 Mestis season was the seventh season of the Mestis, the second level of ice hockey in Finland. 12 teams participated in the league, and Hokki won the championship.


2006–07 Mestis season, Mestis Qualification
The bottom four themes and the losers from the quarter finals faced each other in the relegation playouts. Each stage consisted of best-of-5 series with the loser moving to the next round. The two losers from relegation round 2 faced the best 2 teams from Suomi-sarja.


2006–07 Mexican Segunda División season
The 2006–07 Segunda División de México season was split in two tournaments Apertura and Clausura. Segunda División was the third-tier football league of Mexico. The season was played between 26 August 2006 and 26 May 2007.


2006–07 Mexican Segunda División season, Promotion Final
The Promotion Final is a series of matches played by the champions of the tournaments Apertura and Clausura, the game is played to determine the winning team of the promotion to Liga de Ascenso. The first leg was played on 24 May 2007, and the second leg was played on 27 May 2007.


2006–07 Miami Heat season
The 2006–07 Miami Heat season was the 19th season of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Heat, for the first time in franchise history, entered the season as the defending NBA champions, having defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals in six games. On January 3, 2007, head coach Pat Riley took a leave of absence citing hip and knee problems and was replaced by Ron Rothstein. Despite injuries to several players, including Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, the Heat repeated as Southeast division champions.


2006–07 Miami Heat season
With a record of 44–38, it was clear that the Heat was not the same team of years past. The Heat ended the season with a four-game playoff loss in a sweep to the Chicago Bulls in the first round and the Heat became the first defending NBA champions since the Philadelphia Warriors back in 1957 to be swept in the first round. Following the season, Gary Payton retired.


2006–07 Miami Heat season, Offseason, 2006 NBA draft
The Miami Heat had no selections in the 2006 NBA draft after the following trades:


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 2006–07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Tom Izzo who was in his 12th year. The team played their home games at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. MSU finished the season 23–12, 8–8 in  Big Ten play to finish in a tie for seventh place. The Spartans received their tenth consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament where they lost in the Second Round to North Carolina.


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Previous season
The Spartans finished the 2005–06 season 22–12,  8–8 in Big Ten play to finish in sixth place. Michigan State received an at-large bid as a No. 6 seed to the NCAA Tournament, their ninth straight trip to the Tournament, and lost in the First Round.


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Previous season
The Spartans lost seniors Paul Davis (17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game), Maurice Ager (19.3 points per game) and junior Shannon Brown (17.2 points per game) to the NBA Draft following the season.


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Season summary
MSU was led by junior Drew Neitzel (18.1 points and 4.3 assist per game) and freshman Raymar Morgan (11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game).


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Season summary, Non-conference
MSU started the season well with wins over Brown, Youngstown State, and The Citidel in East Lansing. The Spartans then participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic held at Madison Square Garden where they edged out No. 19 Texas in the semifinals on a Drew Neitzel last second basket. In the championship game, the Spartans lost on a controversial no-call of a shot clock violation which allowed Maryland to maintain their lead and hold off the Spartans 62–59. Wins over Vermont and Oakland at Breslin Center led to a loss at Boston College in the ACC–Big Ten Challenge. MSU closed the non-conference schedule strong, winning their last seven games. However, the Spartans finished the non-conference slate 1–2 in their only trips outside the state of Michigan in the non-conference schedule. MSU finished the non-conference schedule with a record of 13–2, but was not ranked in the polls.


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Season summary, Big Ten play
Following back-to-back losses to open the Big Ten season the prior year, the Spartans again suffered back-to-losses to open the season, this time on the road to Iowa and Indiana. The remaining Big Ten season was a roller coaster with a four-game winning streak immediately followed by a four-game losing streak and losses to Ohio State (ranked No. 4 and No. 5). A win against No. 1 Wisconsin highlighted the Big Ten season and likely assured the Spartans a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans finished 8–8 in conference, finishing in a tie for seventh place. MSU lost to Wisconsin after beating Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament.


2006–07 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Season summary, NCAA Tournament
Helped by the win over No. 1 Wisconsin, the Spartans received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th consecutive year, receiving a No. 9 seed, their lowest seed since 2002. A victory over Marquette, coached by former Izzo assistant Tom Crean, in the First Round of the Tournament was followed by a loss to No. 3 North Carolina in the Second Round.


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The 2006-07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan in intercollegiate college basketball during the 2006-07 season. The team played its home games in the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was a member of the Big Ten Conference. Under the direction of head coach Tommy Amaker, the team finished tied for seventh in the Big Ten Conference. The team earned an eighth seed and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. The team earned an invitation to the 2007 National Invitation Tournament.


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The team was unranked for all eighteen weeks of Associated Press Top Twenty-Five Poll, and it also ended the season unranked in the final USA Today/CNN Poll. The team had a 1–5 record against ranked opponents, with its lone victory coming against #24 Indiana 58–55 on February 17, 2007 at Crisler Arena.


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
Lester Abram served as team captains, and Dion Harris earned team MVP honors. The team's leading scorers were Harris (469 points), Courtney Sims (401 points) and Abram (319 points). The leading rebounders were Sims (218), Brent Petway (205) and Ekpe Udoh (139).


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
Harris won the Big Ten Conference free throw percentage statistical championship with an 87.3% average in conference games.


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
In the 2007 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center from March 8–11, Michigan was seeded eighth. In the first round, they defeated number 9 Minnesota 49–40 before losing to number 1 Ohio State 72–62 in the second round.


2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
On March 13, 2007,  Michigan defeated six seeded Utah State 68–58 at Crisler Arena in the first round of the 2006 National Invitation Tournament. Then Michigan lost to two seeded Florida State 87–66 at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Florida in the second round.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season
During the 2006–07 season, Middlesbrough participated in the Premier League.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Team kit and sponsors
Middlesbrough's kits were once again produced by Errea, and sponsored by 888.com for the third season running. The club retained the white band of the previous two seasons.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Search for a new manager
On 4 May 2006, Steve McClaren was chosen to take over as the manager of the England national team after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Managers linked to take over as new Boro boss included Terry Venables, Martin O'Neill, Tony Mowbray and Alan Curbishley, with Steve Gibson expecting whoever took over to achieve a Champions League place in the near future. Venables  declined the job offer citing an unwillingness to return to full-time management. Venables subsequently joined McClaren as England's assistant coach.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Search for a new manager
Gibson then looked within his own club and decided to name club captain Gareth Southgate as manager. Southgate signed a five-year contract and decided to finish his playing career, at the age of 35, to focus entirely on his new job. His appointment was controversial as he did not possess the coaching qualifications required to manage a Premier League football club. However, at a Premier League meeting on 22 November 2006, Southgate was granted a dispensation to continue in his role until the end of the season, during which time it was announced that he will study for the Uefa Pro A Licence.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Transfers, Summer transfer window
Several players, including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Doriva left the club at the end of the previous season, and Franck Queudrue was sold to Fulham for £3 million. Argentinian left-back Julio Arca was signed from local rivals Sunderland for a fee of £1.75m, and young Frenchman Herold Goulon was signed from Olympique Lyonnais on a three-year deal.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Transfers, Summer transfer window
Southgate signed two international defenders to strengthen up his backline following the second game of the season. England international Jonathan Woodgate joined his home-town team on loan from Real Madrid, while Chelsea's German international centreback Robert Huth signed for a fee of £6 million. Charlton Athletic's Jamaican international striker Jason Euell was signed on the final day of the transfer window.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Transfers, January transfer window
Lee Dong-Gook arrived from Pohang Steelers in the January transfer window, while Ray Parlour, Ugo Ehiogu and Massimo Maccarone all left the club for free.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Transfers, Summary, Out
For departures of players out of contract at the end of 2005–06 see 2005–06 Middlesbrough F.C. season.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Squad, Senior squad, Appearances and goals
Appearance and goalscoring records for all the players who were in the Middlesbrough F.C. first team squad during the 2006-07 season.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Squad, Senior squad, Discipline
Disciplinary records for 2006-07 league and cup matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Premier League
Southgate's managerial reign started with a 3–2 defeat at newly promoted Reading, but was followed up by a 2–1 win home victory over reigning Premier League champions Chelsea. Boro were brought crashing down to Earth straight afterwards though with a 4–0 home defeat to Portsmouth.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Premier League
Overall, Middlesbrough's form in 2006–07 was indifferent. Promising results such as the surprising home victory over Chelsea were coupled with the team losing away from home to all three newly promoted Premiership sides. It took until mid-January for Boro to register their first away win of the season, at struggling Charlton Athletic, their first away win since April of the year before. They comprehensively beat Bolton Wanderers 5–1 at home in January, their biggest victory of the season.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Premier League
Middlesbrough ultimately finished 12th in the table with 46 points, winning twelve, drawing ten and losing sixteen matches - slightly better than last season, but their dismal form in the early and late part of the season prevented them from attaining an even higher position and at one time put them in danger of being relegated. The fact that they were 8 points away from a UEFA Cup spot and 8 points away from getting relegated neatly summed up their season.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Premier League, Results
Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to .


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Premier League, League progress
This chart shows the league position of Middlesbrough F.C. over the course of the season. The green area represents the UEFA Champions League positions (positions 1 to 4), the yellow area represents what turned out to be the UEFA Cup positions (positions 5 to 7) and the red area represents the relegation places (positions 18 to 20). The lowest position in the league that Middlesbrough reached during the course of the season was 18th, prior to the home game versus Charlton Athletic on 23 December 2006 (an early kick-off result had knocked them down from 17th), and their highest placing was 9th, after the second game.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, League Cup
Boro suffered an embarrassing home defeat in the League Cup to Football League Two side Notts County in the second round, losing 0–1 with a weakened team - albeit one featuring debutant Robert Huth.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, League Cup, Results
Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to .


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, FA Cup
Middlesbrough's FA Cup run was significantly longer than their League Cup run - partly due to them being taken to a replay in every round they played. They drew 1–1 at Hull in the FA Cup, with the replay resulting in an exciting 4–3 win. A 2–2 draw with Bristol City followed, setting up another replay. It was a nerve-wrecking 2–2 draw, with Boro winning 5–4 on penalties, presenting them with a tie at the Riverside with former player Tony Mowbray's West Brom.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, FA Cup
That game also ended 2–2, and the replay resulted in a Middlesbrough victory via penalties, after a 1–1 draw in normal time. Middlesbrough were eventually knocked out by champions-elect and eventual FA Cup runners-up Manchester United at Old Trafford in the quarter finals. The 2–2 result at the Riverside set up another replay, as Middlesbrough came from behind to lead 2–1, before George Boateng conceded a penalty for handball. Cristiano Ronaldo struck from the spot to force a replay, won by Manchester United 1–0 and ending Boro's run.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, FA Cup
Due to every possible match going to a replay, Middlesbrough actually played more FA Cup games than Liverpool had in the competition the previous season, when they emerged as winners.


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, FA Cup, Results
Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to .


2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season, Off the pitch, Staff changes
First team coach Steve Round left the club on 15 December 2006 following a "difference in philosophy and ideas" with Gareth Southgate, and was replaced by Colin Cooper. Chief European Scout Don Mackay left the team at the end of the year moving to Leicester City as part of their new management team.


2006–07 Midland Football Alliance
The 2006–07 Midland Football Alliance season was the 13th in the history of Midland Football Alliance, a football competition in England.


2006–07 Midland Football Alliance, Clubs
The league featured 19 clubs from the previous season, along with three new clubs:


2006–07 Midland Football Combination
The 2006–07 Midland Football Combination season was the 70th in the history of Midland Football Combination, a football competition in England.


2006–07 Midland Football Combination, Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 18 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with three new clubs:


2006–07 Millwall F.C. season
During the 2006–07 English football season, Millwall competed in Football League One.


2006–07 Millwall F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Millwall F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Millwall F.C. season, Players, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Milton Keynes Dons F.C. season
The 2006–2007 season was Milton Keynes Dons' third season in their existence as a professional association football club. This season was their first season competing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, following their relegation from League One at the conclusion of the 2005–06 season.


2006–07 Milton Keynes Dons F.C. season
As well as competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup, League Cup and League Trophy.


2006–07 Milton Keynes Dons F.C. season
The season covers the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007.


2006–07 Milwaukee Bucks season
The 2006-07 Milwaukee Bucks season was the team's 39th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 40-42 output from the previous season. However, they came twelve wins shy of tying it, finishing 28-54.


2006–07 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey season
Led by head coach Shannon Miller, the team had 128 goals for, and 68 goals against. The Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 24 wins, 11 losses and 4 ties. Their WCHA Conference record was 19 wins, 6 losses and 3 ties. In the NCAA Championship game, the Bulldogs were defeated by WCHA rival Wisconsin Badgers.


2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team represented the University of Minnesota in the college basketball season of 2006–2007. The team's head coach, Dan Monson, began his eighth season with the Gophers only to resign after a 2 win, 5 loss start. Assistant coach Jim Molinari took over for the remainder of the season on an interim basis. The Golden Gophers played their home games at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota and are members of the Big Ten Conference.


2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team, Season
Coming off of a short NIT run at the end of the previous season, the Gophers, with no seniors on the roster, began 2006 in a slump. After losing 4 straight games, the final 3 at the inaugural Old Spice Classic in Orlando to take last place, the Gophers were beaten badly at home by Clemson on November 29. Head coach Dan Monson announced the next day that he would resign from his coaching duties, stating, "It's time for somebody else to make the next step and that's to have more success on the court than I had." Assistant coach Jim Molinari was appointed as interim head coach, but the Gophers could never quite get their season started, finishing with a disappointing 9 wins and 22 losses.


2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team, Rankings
The 2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball team was not ranked during the season.


2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey season
The 2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey team were a women's ice hockey team from Minnesota, in the 2006-07 season.


2006–07 Minnesota Timberwolves season
The 2006-07 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the team's 18th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 33-49 output from the previous season. However, they came one win shy of tying it, finishing 32-50.


2006–07 Minnesota Timberwolves season
It was Kevin Garnett's final season of his first stint with the Timberwolves as he was traded to the Boston Celtics following the season. He would eventually win a championship with the Celtics in 2008. Garnett returned to Minnesota midway in the 2014-15 season for his second stint. Also following the season, tragedy struck as Eddie Griffin died in an automobile accident on August 17, 2007.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season
This 2006–07 Minnesota Wild season began on October 5, 2006. It was the Wild's seventh season in the National Hockey League (NHL).


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Regular season
Excluding seven shootout goals allowed, the Wild finished the regular season with just 184 goals allowed, the fewest in the NHL.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Regular season, Season standings
Here is how the Wild did in the standings in 2006–07.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime/shootout loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PIM = Penalties in minutes; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Schedule and results
Here is the Wild's 2006–07 schedule with game by game results.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Playoffs
The Minnesota Wild ended the 2006–07 regular season as the Western Conference's seventh seed.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Transactions
The Wild were involved in the following transactions during the 2006–07 season.


2006–07 Minnesota Wild season, Transactions, Draft picks
Minnesota's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Wild had the ninth overall pick in the draft. They also had the Edmonton Oilers first round pick, 17th overall, which they used to trade for Pavol Demitra from the Los Angeles Kings on draft day.


2006–07 Mississippi State Bulldogs basketball team
The 2006–07 Mississippi State basketball team represented Mississippi State University in the 2006–07 college basketball season. Under head coach Rick Stansbury, the team played their home games at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi, and was a member of the Southeastern Conference.


2006–07 Mississippi State Bulldogs basketball team, Previous season
The Bulldogs finished the season 15–15, 5–11 in SEC play. They did not play in a postseason tournament after having made the NCAA Tournament the previous four seasons.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team
The 2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Missouri in the 2006-07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The season marked the first year of Mike Anderson's tenure.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Pre-Season
Missouri returned just two starters from the 2005-06 team, which finished 11th in the Big 12 and 12-16 overall. Guard Jimmy McKinney and center Kevin Young graduated, and leading scorer Thomas Gardner left school for the professional ranks. The coaching turmoil involving Quin Snyder had defined the previous season; the Tigers controversially fired the head coach in February in the middle of a losing streak. Athletic director Mike Alden chose Mike Anderson from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, hiring him on March 26, 2006.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Pre-Season
Anderson promised to bring "The Fastest Forty Minutes of Basketball" to Columbia, a style of play modeled after Nolan Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell." However, Anderson's moniker did not become popular until a few seasons had passed.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Pre-Season
Anderson inherited seven players from Snyder's tenure. Junior Marshall Brown appeared to be a rising star after averaging almost double figures in scoring as a sophomore. Point guard Jason Horton, center Kalen Grimes and swingman Glen Dandridge—all of whom arrived in Columbia as a highly touted group of recruits—rounded out the junior class. Sophomore Leo Lyons returned as well, along with sophomore Matt Lawrence, who played sparingly as a freshman. The only senior on the squad was Marcus Watkins, son of assistant coach Melvin Watkins.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Pre-Season
Anderson's first recruiting class featured three junior college players in point guard Stefhon Hannah, forward Vaidatos Volkus and forward Darryl Butterfield. Hannah figured to star for Missouri right away; Anderson had plucked him away from Kansas State and Bob Huggins, who also heavily recruited him. Volkus was signed by Snyder's staff and retained by Anderson, and Butterfield was an obscure recruit from Mineral Area College. Anderson also brought in two freshmen: Keon Lawrence and J.T. Tiller. Lawrence was also a Snyder signee but stayed on because the school kept Watkins on staff. Tiller had committed to Anderson at UAB and followed him to MU.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Pre-Season
With the program in turmoil and the loss of so many productive players from the previous team, the media picked Missouri to finish eighth in the Big 12.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Non-Conference
Missouri did not have much difficulty in Mike Anderson's first three games as head coach, defeating North Carolina A&T, Army and Stetson to capture the John Thompson Foundation Classic title. The Tigers, who did not play a road game until December, began 9-0, facing mostly inferior opponents. However, MU did actually defeat two eventual NCAA Tournament squads during this stretch. On November 19, the Tigers overcome a modest five-point deficit in the second half to defeat Davidson, a team that wound up with a 13-seed in March.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Non-Conference
Freshman Stephen Curry, a future First-Team All-American and NBA Draft pick in 2009,  played for the Wildcats and scored 16 points. A few weeks later on November 30, Missouri routed the University of Arkansas 86-64 in a nationally televised game. The Razorbacks—the program that employed Anderson for 17 seasons as an assistant and later hired him as head coach in 2011—turned the ball over 24 times, giving Anderson's frenetic style of play a signature win for the first time in Columbia. Due to one of the more significant snowfalls in mid-Missouri history, only 5,428 fans attended the game. The athletic department allowed the fans to fill the lower bowl, though, to compensate for a storm that forced MU to cancel classes the next day.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Non-Conference
Missouri's undefeated start ended when it played its first true road game in West Lafayette, Indiana. A Carl Landry-led Purdue team broke away in the second half to win 79-62. Less than two weeks later, Missouri dropped its second game of the season, a 73-70 loss to rival Illinois in the Braggin' Rights series. The loss marked the seventh straight loss in the series for the Tigers. In a back-and-forth game, Illinois held on for the victory after junior guard Stefhon Hannah fumbled the ball on the final possession and failed to get off a potential game-tying three-pointer.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Non-Conference
The Tigers won their final two games of non-conference play, which included an 83-75 home win over Mississippi State. Ben Hansbrough, who later transferred to Notre Dame and earned Big East Player of the Year honors in 2011, scored eight points in that game for the Bulldogs.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
The momentum of MU's surprising 11-2 start faded immediately, as the Tigers began Big 12 play with four straight losses. In Anderson's Big 12 debut, Iowa State overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to win on a last-second tip-in by Wesley Johnson. Keeping with the trend of undiscovered stars, Johnson is yet another Missouri opponent during the 2006-07 season that eventually reached stardom—Johnson transferred to Syracuse and won Big East Player of the Year honors in 2010 and was drafted fourth in the 2010 NBA Draft.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
Four days later, a heavily favored Texas Longhorns team dominated Missouri in Austin, thanks to 34 points from Kevin Durant. Then, in the midst of another ice storm, Missouri dropped a home game to Kansas State. The Tigers nearly recovered from a 16-point hole in the second half, and trailed by just five points with less than a minute to play. However, with a chance to throw down a monstrous dunk in the open court, junior forward Marshall Brown missed the jam and killed any hope of a comeback. Two days after that loss, Missouri faced the rival Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence in an ESPN "Big Monday" game on Martin Luther King Day. The underdog Tigers battled the 6th-ranked Jayhawks wire-to-wire, but sophomore Matt Lawrence's tying three-point attempt as time expired did not even catch the rim.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
Anderson won his first Big 12 game in Boulder, Colo., as the Tigers dominated the Buffaloes in a 14-point victory. MU returned home to defeat Bob Knight's Texas Tech team to draw to 2-4 in conference play, but it lost three of its next four games to fall to 3-7.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
The Tigers worked their way back into post-season contention, though, with a three-game winning streak. First, Missouri edged Baylor by seven points on Valentine's Day. Three days later, Anderson won his first game against a ranked opponent by beating 18th-ranked Oklahoma State 75-64 at Gallagher-Iba Arena, a traditionally difficult Big 12 venue. Freshman guard Keon Lawrence led the team with 18 points, and even little-used reserve Glen Dandridge made a three-pointer and scored five points in four minutes of action.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
The next week, Lawrence—no relation to Matt Lawrence—continued his strong play and came up with one of the season's most exciting plays in a win over the Oklahoma Sooners. Lawrence made the game-winning basket with a turnaround jumper with less than a minute to play, despite not making a field goal in the first half.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
At 6-7, the Tigers had finally worked their way into the NCAA Tournament at-large conversation. Although experts said it was a pipe dream, Missouri appeared to have a very slim chance if it could win the remainder of its games and finish above .500 in the Big 12. Any talk of the NCAA Tournament ended after MU dropped an overtime game to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, though, a game dominated by Australian center Aleks Maric, who scored 31 points.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
Maric, who proved to be an extremely difficult match-up for the smaller Tigers during his career, made five free throws to seal the game in the final minute of overtime. Freshman J.T. Tiller missed a game-winning attempt at the end of regulation in that game, and the Tigers missed three shots from behind the arc with a chance to tie the game in OT.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Conference play
Missouri finished the conference season with a home win over Colorado on senior night, which honored lone senior Marcus Watkins, the son of assistant coach Melvin Watkins. The Tigers battled Texas A&M to a tie at half-time in the Big 12 finale, but the Sweet 16-bound Aggies blew the game open in the second half for a comfortable win. That left MU with a 7-9 record and a sixth-place finish in the Big 12.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Big 12 Tournament
Missouri drew 11th-seeded Baylor in the first round of the 2007 Big 12 Tournament, a game televised by ESPN2. The Bears entered the game with a 14-15 record but featured a young, talented backcourt—the same players who took the program to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance just one year later. Baylor's talent was obvious on the court that night, and Scott Drew's team shocked Missouri with a 14-point win. The loss was considered embarrassing at the time for Anderson's program, which appeared to take a step back after a promising regular season. Anderson's vaunted pressing style did not fare well against Baylor, as it shot 63 percent from the field and burned Missouri's full-court pressure for 40 minutes.


2006–07 Missouri Tigers men's basketball team, Big 12 Tournament
Upon elimination from the Big 12 Tournament, the Tigers clearly did not have the credentials for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. However, with a 6th-place finish in a power conference and an 18-12 overall record, the Tigers appeared headed to at least the NIT. On March 12, 2007, though, the NIT did not select Missouri to participate, ending Anderson's first season as head coach.


2006–07 Moldovan "A" Division
The 2006–07 Moldovan "A" Division season is the 16th since its establishment. A total of 14 teams are contesting the league:


2006–07 Moldovan "B" Division
The 2006–07 Moldovan "B" Division (Romanian: Divizia B) was the 16th season of Moldovan football's third-tier league. There are 23 teams in the competition, in two groups, 11 in the North and 12 in the South.


2006–07 Moldovan National Division
The 2006–07 Moldovan National Division (Romanian: Divizia Națională) was the 16th season of top-tier football in Moldova.


2006–07 Moldovan National Division, Overview
FC Sheriff Tiraspol won their seventh consecutive championship, with the league having expanded to include ten teams for the first time since the 1999–2000 season.


2006–07 Moldovan National Division, League standings
NB: no relegation as top level extended to 12 clubs


2006–07 Montenegrin Cup
The 2006–07 Montenegrin Cup was the first season of the Montenegrin knockout football tournament since Montenegro achieved independence. The competition featured 30 teams. It started on October 3, 2006 and ended on May 30, 2007. The winner of the competition was FK Rudar Pljevlja.


2006–07 Montenegrin Cup, First round
Last Republic Cup's finalists Crvena Stijena and Kom received a bye to the Second Round. The remaining 14 matches were played on October 3 and 4, 2006.


2006–07 Montenegrin Cup, Second round
The first legs were played on October 18 and the second legs were played on October 31 and November 1, 2006.


2006–07 Montenegrin Cup, Quarterfinals
The first legs were played on November 15 and second on November 29, 2006.


2006–07 Montenegrin Cup, Semifinals
The first legs were played on April 25 and second on May 16, 2007.


2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League
The 2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League was first season of the Montenegrin First League of Men's Handball, Montenegro's premier handball league.


2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League, Participants
First season of Montenegrin Handball League was established two months after the Montenegrin independence. As the National Handball Federation of Montenegro proposed, First league in its first season has eight participants. Among them were two clubs which played in 2005/06 First League of Serbia and Montenegro (Lovćen and Berane) and six teams which previously (at the season 2005/06) participated in the second level (Pljevlja, Mornar, Sutjeska, Mojkovac, Boka and Cepelin).


2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League, Participants
Following the propositions of the new competition, league had two parts. During the first, there was 14 weeks, and after that, First League was split into two parts. Four best clubs participated in the TOP4 league for champion, and the last four played in relegation league.


2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League, First part
During the first part of the season, all members played 14 games. Four best placed teams - Lovćen, Berane, Sutjeska and Mornar continued season in the TOP4 league for champion. Other teams were playing league for relegation.


2006–07 Montenegrin First Handball League, TOP4 / relegation league
At the final phase, RK Lovćen Cetinje won the first champions trophy in the independent Montenegro. In the TOP4 League, Lovćen won all six matches, including two hardest games against Berane. In the relegation league, RK Boka won the crucial matches against Cepelin, so the club from Cetinje was relegated to the Second league.


2006–07 Montenegrin First League
The 2006–07 Montenegrin First League season was the inaugural season of the league as Montenegro's top-tier football competition. Although the league existed before, it was previously a second-tier league, underneath the Serbo-Montenegrin First League. Upon the independence of Montenegro, and the establishment of a Montenegrin Football Association, the league became disassociated with the Serbo-Montenegrin league and thus was given its present position.


2006–07 Montenegrin First League
The league played its first games of the season on August 12, 2006 and its final matches were played on May 26, 2007. On May 26, after their final match, FK Zeta were confirmed as the league's first ever champions under the new FA, and thus qualified as the country's first ever UEFA Champions League competitor.


2006–07 Montenegrin First League, Teams
In order of their 2005-06 league table position, the inaugural members are:


2006–07 Montenegrin First League, Results
The schedule consists of three rounds. During the first two rounds, each team played each other once home and away for a total of 22 matches. The pairings of the third round will then be set according to the standings after the first two rounds, giving every team a third game against each opponent for a total of 33 games per team.


2006–07 Montenegrin First League, Results, Third round
Key numbers for pairing determination (number marks position after 22 games):


2006–07 Montenegrin First League, Relegation play-offs
The 10th placed team (against the 3rd placed team of the Second League) and the 11th placed team (against the 2nd placed team of the Second League) will both compete in two-legged relegation play-offs after the end of the season.


2006–07 Montenegrin First League, Relegation play-offs
Dečić remained a member of First League, while Bokelj gained promotion to 2007–08 Montenegrin First League. Ibar remained a member of Second League, while Jedinstvo relegated to 2007–08 Montenegrin Second League.


2006–07 Montenegrin Second League
The 2006–07 Montenegrin Second League (Serbian: Druga Crnogorska Liga / Друга црногорска лига) was the first season of the competition as the second top football league in Montenegro. The league played its first games of the season on August 13, 2006 and its final matches were played on May 27, 2007.


2006–07 Montenegrin Second League, League format
Twelve teams participate in this league. The top team directly qualifies for the Montenegrin First League while the second and third teams contest in a two matches playoff against the 11th and 12th team from the First League. The two bottom-placed teams are relegated to the Third League, to be replaced by the two winners of the Third League promotion play-off.


2006–07 Montenegrin Second League, Promotion play-offs
Playoff matches were played on June 2 and 9, 2007.


2006–07 Montenegrin Second League, Promotion play-offs
Dečić remained a member of First League, while Bokelj gained promotion to 2007–08 Montenegrin First League. Ibar remained a member of Second League, while Jedinstvo relegated to 2007–08 Montenegrin Second League.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season
The 2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 98th season, 90th in the National Hockey League. The club finished fourth in the Northeast division and missed qualification for the playoffs by two points after losing the final game of the regular season 6–5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Pre-season
The Canadiens were only minimally active in offseason transactions, with forwards Sergei Samsonov and Mike Johnson and defenceman Janne Niinimaa representing the only additions. Forwards Jan Bulis, Richard Zednik and Mike Ribeiro moved to other teams: Bulis via free agency to Vancouver, Zednik via a trade to Washington and Ribeiro via a trade to Dallas (for Niinimaa).


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season
The club intended to build on a 2005–06 season in which it took the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes to six games in the first round of the playoffs. Behind the leadership of goaltender Cristobal Huet and captain Saku Koivu, the Canadiens poised themselves to join the elite of the Eastern Conference.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season
However, the team failed to keep its momentum for the whole season. Cristobal Huet's injury on February 15, 2007, forced the Canadiens to use backup goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and David Aebischer. Despite Halak's decent performance, the Canadiens could not clinch a playoff spot. They were eliminated on April 8 after a 6–5 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the season's last game.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season
On January 9, 2007, the NHL announced that Sheldon Souray had been voted by the fans to start at defence in the 2007 All-Star Game in Dallas.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season
The Canadiens finished the regular season with the NHL's best power-play percentage, at 22.75% (86 for 378), and tied the Ottawa Senators for most shorthanded goals scored, with 17.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season, Season standings
P –  Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Roster
6 – Niinimaa •8 – Komisarek •25 – Dandenault •26 – Gorges •32 – Streit •44 – Souray •51 – Bouillon •79 – Markov


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Roster
11 – Koivu •14 – Bonk •15 – Samsonov •20 – Johnson •21 – Higgins •22 – Begin •27 – Kovalev •35 – Plekanec •40 – Lapierre •46 – Kostitsyn •47 – Downey •57 – Murray •62 – Milroy •73 – Ryder •84 – Latendresse


2006–07 Montreal Canadiens season, Draft picks
Montreal's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadiens had the 16th overall draft pick, which they traded to the San Jose Sharks for the 20th and 53rd overall picks.


2006–07 Moroccan Throne Cup
The 2006–07 Moroccan Throne Cup was the 51st edition of the Moroccan cup competition, and was won by FAR de Rabat, who beat Rachad Bernoussi in the final.


2006–07 Motherwell F.C. season
The 2006–07 season was Motherwell's 9th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 22nd consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football. It was Maurice Malpas first, and only, season as manager of Motherwell having replaced Terry Butcher who had left to join Sydney FC at the end of the previous season, and himself sacked following the conclusion of the season.


2006–07 Motherwell F.C. season, Squad
Updated 20 December 2010Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006–07 Munster Rugby season
The 2006–07 Munster Rugby season was Munster's sixth season competing in the Celtic League, alongside which they also competed in the Heineken Cup. It was Declan Kidney's second season as head coach, in his second spell at the province.


2006–07 Munster Rugby season, 2006–07 squad
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.


2006–07 Munster Rugby season, 2006–07 Celtic League
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:


2006–07 NBA season
The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The San Antonio Spurs were crowned the champions after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.


2006–07 NBA season, Playoffs
Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.


2006–07 NBA season, Awards, Players of the month
The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month.


2006–07 NBA season, Awards, Rookies of the month
The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month.


2006–07 NBL All-Star Game
The 2006/07 NBL All-Star Game (Australia) was held at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide, South Australia on 25 November 2006. The game was broadcast live on Fox Sports in Australia.


2006–07 NBL All-Star Game
The World All-Stars held off the Aussie All-Stars to win 136-133 with Rashad Tucker of the Melbourne Tigers contributing a near triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. He was subsequently named as the MVP of the All-Star game.


2006–07 NBL All-Star Game, Dunk Competition
The Dunk Competition was won by Carlos Powell of the New Zealand Breakers from Willie Farley of the Adelaide 36ers.


2006–07 NBL season
The 2006–07 NBL season was the 29th season of competition since its establishment in 1979. For the first time, a team was established from outside the Australasian area, with the Singapore Slingers taking over the licence of the Hunter Pirates. A new franchise, the South Dragons, was established in Melbourne, taking the number of teams to twelve.


2006–07 NBL season
The Brisbane Bullets established a new NBL record of 21 straight wins, including 18 in the regular season.


2006–07 NBL season, Pre-Season Blitz
The Blitz, which is the official pre-season tournament of the Philips Championship, was held in Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales from 8–10 September and featured all 12 NBL teams including the Dragons and Slingers, who were on show for the first time.


2006–07 NBL season, Regular Season
The 2006-07 Regular Season will take place over 21 Rounds between 20 September 2006 and 11 February 2007.