Monday, May 29, 2006
Mallya drops plan for Taittinger
May 29, 2006 18:31 IST
Vijay Mallya's United Breweries has dropped plans to acquire French champagne group Taittinger.
According to industry sources, Starwood, which acquired control of Taittinger last year and had put it up for sale, asked UB Group to hike its offer price by 15-20 per cent. UB Group, sources said, found the new demand unjustified, and decided to drop the plan.
According to agency reports, French bank Credit Agricole and members of the Taittinger family are in advanced talks for buying back the family's champagne brand from Starwood Capital.
The UB group had offered nearly $752 million for Taittinger.
Vijay Mallya's United Breweries has dropped plans to acquire French champagne group Taittinger.
According to industry sources, Starwood, which acquired control of Taittinger last year and had put it up for sale, asked UB Group to hike its offer price by 15-20 per cent. UB Group, sources said, found the new demand unjustified, and decided to drop the plan.
According to agency reports, French bank Credit Agricole and members of the Taittinger family are in advanced talks for buying back the family's champagne brand from Starwood Capital.
The UB group had offered nearly $752 million for Taittinger.
Ronaldinho ready to rule
Ronaldinho burst on to the international scene in a 1999 Copa America game against Venezuela when he scored a goal reminiscent of Pele's 1958 famous World Cup final effort.
Two minutes after coming on as a substitute for his second international appearance, the 19-year-old Ronaldinho flicked the ball over a defender, swept past another and fired the ball into the goal between goalkeeper Renny Vega and the near post.
It was clear that Brazil had unearthed another gem.
Seven years on, Ronaldinho is widely acclaimed as the world's best. No other player has such a wide range of tricks at his disposal and no other player seems to enjoy himself, as illustrated by Ronaldinho's trademark grin.
Yet there is still an underlying feeling in Brazil that something is missing from Ronaldinho's career.
Despite that spectacular goal in 1999 and his presence in the 2002 World Cup winning team, Ronaldinho has yet to perform at his very best for his country on a consistent basis
Two minutes after coming on as a substitute for his second international appearance, the 19-year-old Ronaldinho flicked the ball over a defender, swept past another and fired the ball into the goal between goalkeeper Renny Vega and the near post.
It was clear that Brazil had unearthed another gem.
Seven years on, Ronaldinho is widely acclaimed as the world's best. No other player has such a wide range of tricks at his disposal and no other player seems to enjoy himself, as illustrated by Ronaldinho's trademark grin.
Yet there is still an underlying feeling in Brazil that something is missing from Ronaldinho's career.
Despite that spectacular goal in 1999 and his presence in the 2002 World Cup winning team, Ronaldinho has yet to perform at his very best for his country on a consistent basis
