EURO BASKET 2009 & TENNIS DAVIS CUP: GOOD DAY FOR SPAIN , BOTH INTO FINALS

Fokus Latihan Penyelesaian Akhir

BOJONEGORO - Tim Persibo Bojonegoro kemarin (9/11) sore kembali memulai latihan setelah libur rutin selama dua hari. Latihan berlangsung di Stadion Letjen H. Soedirman, Bojonegoro. Hasilnya? "Ada peningkatan fisik pemain yang kini menjadi sekitar 90 persen," kata Pelatih Persibo Sartono Anwar di sela-sela memimpin latihan.

Menurut dia, peningkatan fisik pemain terjadi karena saat ini pihaknya masih terus berupaya meningkatkan kemampuan mereka melalui beberapa program serta menu latihan setiap hari. Dalam latihan tersebut, hanya Aris Tuansyah, pemain belakang, yang tidak hadir karena sakit. Latihan dipimpin oleh Sartono Anwar, didampingi dua asistennya, Bambang Pramuji dan Alan Hafiludin.

Sartono mengungkapkan, shooting serta finishing (penyelesaian akhir) tetap menjadi menu prioritas di waktu tersisa latihan ini. Kemampuan ini akan terus diasah hingga menjelang berlangsungnya kompetisi Divisi Utama musim 2009/2010. ! "Ya, terus akan kita lakukan untuk finishing," terangnya.

Selain dua hal di atas, pria asal Semarang itu berharap para pemain tetap menjaga kondisi fisiknya meski libur. Jangan sampai waktu libur digunakan untuk begadang. Sebab hal itu bisa mengganggu fisik pemain, sehingga saat latihan atau pertandingan mereka menjadi tidak fokus.

Selain para pemain Persibo sendiri, dalam latihan kemarin sore juga ada seorang mantan pemain Gresik United asal Liberia, yakni Erick. Sartono sengaja mengajak pemain itu saat game. "Dia hanya ikut latihan saja, tidak seleksi," imbuhnya. (ade)

WUSA 2001

Although there have been professional and semi-professional women's soccer leagues in Sweden, Germany, Italy, Japan, and a few other countries for some years, the quality of play in those places is equivalent, at best, to American Division I collegiate-level soccer, and most of the players hold down day jobs in order to earn a living.

Lilly Named A Finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year

US Women's National Team captain Kristine Lilly has been named by FIFA as one of three finalists for the Women's World Player of the Year. She joins Brazil's Marta and German midfielder Renate Lingor. The winner will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 18 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Anson Dorrance

A divided federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a judge's decision to dismiss a sexual harassment lawsuit against University of North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance.
In a 2-1 ruling, the court rejected Melissa Jennings' claim that Dorrance's vulgar language and inappropriate comments to players created a sexually hostile educational environment.

Aubry takes over at Arkansas

Erin Aubry played in the Big Ten and most recently coached in the Ohio Valley Conference, but her SEC experience qualified her to succeed Gordon Henderson as Arkansas' new women's soccer coach.

"We need to see what we have first," Aubry said. "We're going to play with a lot of courage. We're going to really press them to have individual courage to take risks, go to goal, come out of the back, but we're also going to make sure that we keep the ball. We're going to use our strengths for sure, play a little bit above the SEC level."

F1 : 2008 - Notes from Spain Grand Prix

Monday, 28 April 2008
The fact that the Finn from the pole position would have easily win the race. Since 2001, each pole man in Barcelona also won the race.

So, it is no surprise at all, even he made a bad start, (Massa led the race after the green light), but superb Kimi made it happen, his cool touch, ! good speed and reliable car brings him a comfort win .

Fernando Alonso? King Juan Carlos, who had always brought luck to Fernando Alonso, was not yesterday talisman and he made his first retirement of the season and also his first failed-to-finish of the 2008 season in the Spanish Grand Prix. In his 6 (six) appearances in Spanish Grand Prix, he made 4 (four) podiums, poor Alonso :(

What surprise me most was Takuma Sato... He made a great effort and he even made 9 (ninth) position before finished in 13 (thirteenth) place, everybody knows Super Aguri is having a big financial trouble and even almost missed the race, but they made it with in the end. Optimism and great work of the team is really paid off.

Honda, especially Jenson Button finally, made their point, great relief for Honda and Mr. Ross Brawn, even tough their car is very ugly with the elephant's ear style in th! e front nose :)

Maties begin Club rugby season

Varsity Cup winners Maties, will get their Club Rugby season off tonight against Villagers RFC. The team will be on a high from the win against UCT earlier in the week. When chatting to coach Chean Roux regarding this fixture he said that there are no favourites in rugby.

Villagers got there season off to a winning start, the team are nursing some injuries but will be looking for another good performance this weekend. Villagers coach's Paul Kaplan's view on a win this weekend is that it depends on how teams perform on the day.

In other fixtures, UCT take on Durb-Bell, Steinhoff ! Vics are at Hamiltons. Tygerberg against Helderberg and SK Walmers host NNK

Pic: www.supersport.co.za

Bokkies off to war

It's war.

That was the message at the Under 20 Springboks capping ceremony held in Cape Town today. Eight new players joined last year's Under 19's in a squad of 26 players that will compete in the first IRB Junior World Championships in Wales next month.

SARU President Oregan Hoskins says SA Rugby will be involved in two wars next month - one in Wales and one against Wales.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was there as well and encouraged the players by saying they are the patriots who will be representing South Africa.

Coach Eric Sauls says it will be war, especially with the old enemies Australia and New Zealand fielding powerful sides.

Hank confirms defense of 'Berg'

Capetonian Hank McGregor has confirmed that he will be back to defend his title in the Isuzu Berg River Canoe marathon, a title that he has won four times – three of them in succession.
The 30 year old has confessed that the race has an irresistible attraction for him, and has vowed to be back on the startline when the first stage of the Western Cape's premier canoe race gets under way in Paarl on 9 July.

Federer and Nadal through

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are through to the the next round of tennis at the Oylmpics. Federer made easy work of his clash with Russian Dmitry Tursunov with a 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile Nadal had a hard fought battle with 71st ranked Potito Starace. It doesn't get any easy for the the Spainard, he next faces Lleyton Hewitt. The Austrailian beat Jonas Bjorkman to set up the second tie. Hewitt says he is really looking forward to facing Nadal. Below are the latest ATP men tennis ranking, whatever the outcome of the tournament, Federer will relinquish his number one spot to Nadal who thoroughly deserves it.

ATP Men Tennis Rankings:
1. Roger Federer (SUI) 6330
2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6305
3. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 4905
4. David Ferrer (ESP) 2915
5. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 2805
6. Andy Murray (GBR) 2300
7. James Blake (USA) 2020
8. David Nalbandian (ARG) 1930
9. Andy Roddick (USA) 1860
10. Stanislas Wawrinka! (SUI) 1650
11. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 1575
12. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 1390
13. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 1385
14. Gilles Simon (FRA) 1350
15. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 1340
16. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 1300
17. Tommy Robredo (ESP) 1290
18. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 1265
19. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 1260
20. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 1235

Paralympic Schedule

Here is the line up for Team SA at the Paralympics

Paralympics Schedule for 9 September 2008

Athletics: 03:00-12:08 Sarisa Marais, Michael Louwrens, Oscar Pistorius, Zanele Situ, Chanelle van Zyl
Cycling (Track): 06:00 - Janos Plekker
Swimming: 03:00 - 15:00 Adri Visser, Shireen Sapiro
Equestrian: 11:00 - Mark Frenzel, Marion Milne
Rowing 11:20: Mixed Coxed Four
Table Tennis: 04:40 - 13:00 Johan du Plooy, Alisha Almeida, Alet Moll
Wheelchair Basketball: 06:15 - Team South Africa

Waterfront Prepares for Ocean Race

It's getting nasty as the yachts head straight for a storm en route to Cape Town. The first yachts are expected on Sunday for the earliest, but more realistically on Monday. Jeff Ayliffe reports that the support crews are rushing to setup camp at the V and A Waterfront before the yachts arrive...

Man U and Arsenal look to top group

Arsenal and Manchester United have booked their place in the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League. Manchester United host Denmark's Aalborg tonight.

The Red Devils will be looking for a win to keep the pressure on Villareal who are second in the group. The team will be without Michael Carrick who picked up a thigh injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also a doubtful starter after he sustained a rib injury in their win against Sunderland last weekend.

Arsenal are away to Porto, the Gunners only need a point to stay top of their group.

However they will be looking for a repeat performance against Porto, this after handing the Portuguese side a 4 - 0 hammering in the first round.

With the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri out, Arsene Wenger will look to his youngsters to bring glory to the club.

Ponting and cavalry raring to go

Australian Captain Ricky Ponting says despite their series win over South Africa they will be approaching the test with the same intensity as any other.

The Aussie's are hard at work in the nets ahead of the third and final test against the Proteas at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday. Australia has clinched the series after wining the two previous matches.



Ponting says the pressure was never on them to win in South Africa.

"Like I said right fr! om the start I thought this year the majority of expectation was on the South Africans. We just came over here with a very simple plan with the way we wanted to play our cricket and we executed things very well in the first two test matches. We still want to improve on that and give ourselves the every opportunity for a good result."


Meanwhile Imraan Khan will be making his test debut for the national side. Khan showcased his skills for the South African invitational team that played a warm up game against the m! en from down under.

Pointing says they have done t! heir hom e work since their last meeting with Khan.

"Us knowing very little about him going into the first innings of the game was probably the reason why he got off to such a good start. Since he was named in the squad we have been picking his technique to pieces and we have got certain plans to deal with him that we need to execute very well tomorrow."

Hamilton was robbed, but Massa will win

Personally I think Hamilton was robbed of his trilling victory at Spa. He muscled the defending World Champion seemingly passing him at will in varying conditions. The fact that the stewards have interjected themselves unnecessarily will only flair up charges of FIA-Ferrari bias or claims that there is a manipulation of the championship as Hamilton was set to run away with the title. Instead of an 8 point lead for Hamilton, it has now been widdled down to 2 points with the next race on Ferrari home soil in Monza, Italy. Even though McLaren seem to have a strong case to appeal in that Hamilton gave the position back and they have provided data that Hamilton was 6 km/h slower than Raikkonen as they crossed the start/finish line, it will be for nothing and Massa will keep his win and here is why.

This incident reminds me of a lesser known circumstance from the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix in which Renault's Fernando Alonso was overtaking then Red Bull's Christian Klien.! After cutting the last chicane at the Suzuka Circuit, Alonso allowed Klien back passed on the main straight, and re-passed Klien. However, it was later determined by the stewards that Alonso gained an advantage and he had to allow Klien past again. Alonso later re-passed Klien, but lost valuable time.

Here at Spa it is quite similar, just that the stakes are higher. Obviously given it was the end of the race, stewards could not order Hamilton to let Kimi through and could not issue an on-track penalty. However, the question will boil down to a simple issue. Did Hamilton gain an advantage? This is where it is a strictly judgement call and no objective position can be made. The fact that the position was relinquished should be good enough as that is what is asked for by the stewards. I do not think he gained an advantage and given that Raikkonen crashed out moments later, the issue should not even have been raised. Moreover, the fact that Massa got to keep his win! at Valencia only adds fuel to the fire, as there are many tha! t say wh y wasn't Massa stripped of his win?

At the end of the day, I have seen worst judgement calls. Coincidentally, at the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso was penalized for "blocking" Felipe Massa in qualifying. This call was almost criminal and again stirred up the calls that this was more FIA-Ferrari bias. Nevertheless in this case, they have precedence for penalizing Hamilton and will probably follow that precedence set at Suzuka in 2005; but hey we are talking about the FIA, and their record of making arbitrary decisions will still make waiting for a decision an interesting back story to the rest of the championship.

Stop Didier Drogba And You Stop Chelsea Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned his team that they must cope with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba if they are to emerge from Stamford Bridge with a win in Sunday's big game clash.

The Spaniard renews his rivalry with Carlo Ancelotti in Sunday's hotly anticipated showdown but Benitez has already pinpointed where the Blues' main threat will come from.

"People may have an opinion about him [Didier Drogba], but you can never say he is anything other than a very dangerous opponent," he told the Daily Mail.

"[Daniel] Agger is available again and under consideration, after playing 70 minutes for the reserves the other night, but whoever plays, the situation is clear.

"We must manage the threat he [Drogba] poses and if we can do that, I think we will be all right."

The Ivorian has already scored six goals in the league this season and will be hoping to add to that! tally on his return to the first team, after missing out on his team's Champions League midweek win due to suspension.

Benitez also admitted his side must play as a team and help out the defence when required in order to nullify the threat the Chelsea striker offers: "We will give our centre-backs extra protection if need be and bring more players back to help them out, because it is crucial we deal with that."

Liverpool Expect Steven Gerrard To Be Fit For Sunderland Trip

Liverpool remain confident Steven Gerrard will be fit for their trip to Sunderland this weekend, despite fears he may have sustained a slight tear in his adductor muscle.

Gerrard, who was substituted at half time in England's defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, returned to Merseyside for a precautionary scan after managing only 10 minutes of training with Fabio Capello's squad on Tuesday.

Despite initial suggestions the injury was worse than first feared, it is believed he is likely to be ready to travel with the rest of Liverpool's squad to the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool are thought to be unhappy that Gerrard was not released from international duty after failing to complete the defeat in Dnipropetrovsk - Wayne Rooney, who finished the game, returned to Manchester United with a calf injury on the squad's return to England - and Rafael Benítez is likely to be unimpressed that he was risked in a training session just two days later.

England insist the decision to remain with his international team-mates was Gerrard's alone.

Benítez is already sweating over the fitness of Fernando Torres, another player who has picked up an adductor problem on international duty, and Dirk Kuyt, who limped out of Holland's friendly with Australia after an ankle injury flared up.

Match Report: LiverpooL 2 - 0 Manchester United

Fernando Torres and substitute David Ngog left Manchester United reeling as Liverpool brilliantly halted their four-game losing streak.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had said prior to the game that one win would change everything, and what a result his team delivered to ease the pressure on the Spaniard.

The champions were eventually beaten after a stunning performance of defiance that followed days of the worst crisis Liverpool have suffered in decades.

If the critics were to be believed, boss Benitez was for the chop, Liverpool were a! ll washed up and facing financial ruin.

Well not after this cracking Premier League battle. Liverpool restored their pride with a victory over, for them, the best victims possible.

Torres forced his injured frame through the game and grabbed his ninth goal of the campaign midway through the second half to get Liverpool really firing.

Ngog hit the second in stoppage-time, with the match at boiling point. United had by that stage lost defender Nemanja Vidic to his third red card in successive matches against Liverpool.

Javier Mascherano saw red too, but it was Liverpool who inflicted the second league defeat of the season on United to restore faith among their worried fans.

As expected, Steven Gerrard missed the match with a groin problem, but Wayne Rooney recovered from a calf injury to play for the champions.

Liverpool had Torres and Glen Johnson back after both missed the Champions League defeat to Lyon on T! uesday, while United also had Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Mic! hael Car rick back in their starting line-up. Michael Owen, facing his former club, started on the bench and on his introduction received a punishing reception from the fans who once worshipped him.

United's supporters made the most of Liverpool's recent misfortune. Beach balls, Eric Cantona masks and insulting banners were smuggled into the away section.

The banner that hurt most, no doubt, was "You told us to come back when we'd won 18 titles...well, we're back".

Watching on were co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, sitting side by side in the directors' box, but not in the exposed front row.

The atmosphere was electric, the noise deafening, as Liverpool set about trying to restore their battered reputation.

Evra was booked after two trips on Torres in as many minutes, and from the free-kick Fabio Aurelio sent in a curled effort that Edwin van der Sar clawed away. It went straight to Dirk Kuyt, whose follow-up was also saved! by his Dutch countryman.

Then Lucas robbed Paul Scholes and gave Kuyt another chance, this one guided wide of the far post.

Rooney, who had seen one effort disallowed for offside, rose to met an Antonio Valencia cross, but his header was held low to his right by Jose Reina.

United had better possession and hit Liverpool with pace and slick movement, but Van der Sar was again needed to plunge to his right to keep out an Aurelio header from Yossi Benayoun's cross.

Then Dimitar Berbatov was booked for a trip on Lucas, with the game finely balanced as the half ended.

Kuyt should have scored early in the second period when he was played in by Johnson, but he chose to pass rather than blast an angled effort, and the chance was lost.

Then Benayoun's touch sent Torres away on the right, but his lack of genuine pace following his groin problem did not see him shake off Rio Ferdinand, and again the opening went beggin! g.

It then needed a block from Johnson on the far p! ost to k eep out Rooney's header from Giggs' free-kick.

But Liverpool were growing in confidence and they grabbed the lead after 65 minutes. Benayoun's pass sent Torres beyond Ferdinand, onside only by inches.

The Spaniard was not going to be denied this time. He held off the England centre-back and lashed a shot into the roof of the net. The roof almost came off Anfield too.

Mascherano was booked for a foul on Evra before Anfield had its first sight of Owen in a United shirt as he came on for Berbatov and Nani replaced Scholes after 74 minutes.

Owen's arrival was greeted with jeers and chants of "Where were you in Istanbul?" as well as "Once a Manc, never a Red".

Vidic was booked for a foul on Torres, and then after 80 minutes Torres could run no more and Ngog took his place.

Valencia saw a cross-shot clip the Liverpool bar and Owen was searching for any inch of space. He almost had a chance when he chased a throughba! ll, only to be hauled down by his good friend Jamie Carragher. The Liverpool skipper was booked.

With just a minute of normal time left, Vidic pulled down Kuyt as the Dutchman raced into an empty half. Red followed a second yellow, and the Serbian was sent off for the third successive game against Liverpool.

Three minutes into added time Mascherano was also sent off for a challenge on Van der Sar, the Argentinian's second yellow-card offence.

Then came the killer blow to United. Liverpool broke from deep defence, Lucas delayed his pass to sent Ngog away on his own and the striker slid the second past Van der Sar. Anfield, and Benitez, could finally celebrate.

Best Pose from Indonesian Girls

Best Pose from Indonesian Girls

Canada to host World Enduro

By John Hopkins

HAMILTON, ON -- Canada will play host to the World Championships for Enduro in 2006, with an event slated for Parry Sound, ON July 15-16.

The event was approved by the Federation Internationale du Motocyclisme (FIM) during its spring conference meetings last weekend in Geneva, according to a release from the Canadian Motorcycle Association.

The Canadian round will be one week before an event scheduled for the U.S. July 22-23.

The World Championships for Enduro event will be part of the CMA's Diamond Jubilee in 2006 and there will be other major events connected with the celebration.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Two more earn X Games spots

From WPSA

HILL CITY, MN — Justin Tate and Jeff Arsenault earned spots in the Winter X Games 10 field by winning their respective non-points, invitational events during last Saturday's WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Minnesota State Regional event at Park X. Two Winter X Games 10 invitational events were held Saturday with only the winners advancing.

Pro rider Tate (Pirtek/Polaris) and Semi-Pro runner Arsenault (Ski-Doo) are now eligible to compete in Winter X Games 10, being staged in Aspen/Snowmass, CO Jan. 28-31. The event's Snocross competition will be telecast live each day of Winter X Games 10, and will feature riders from the Tour.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

DeMarcus Cousins Commits to the Wildcats

According to Scout.com #6 ranked player in the Country DeMarcus Cousins has committed to the University of Kentucky and Coach John Calipari. Cousins had previously committed to the University of Memphis but had not signed a letter of intent.

Cousins, 6'9" 245lbs, is a big time scorer in the post. He is very strong and very physical player inside and will add depth at that position. Hard to say where the Cats will slot Cousins in their lineup. Most likely he would come in to help Patrick Patterson which will give us another strong physical option down low.

Cincinnati Reds No-Hitters

With the San Francisco Giants Pitcher Johnathan Sanchez pitching the first no hitter of the 2009 baseball season last week I was curious as to how many Reds pitchers have thrown no hitters. We all know about Johnny Vander Meer's back to back no hitters in 1938 and Tom Brownings Perfect game in 1988. But do you know any of the other names on the list? Below are a list of all of the Reds no hitters since 1900:

Noodles Hahn
July 12, 1900
Reds over the Phillies 4-0

Fred Toney
May 2nd, 1917
Reds over the Cubs 1-0 in 10 innings

Hod Eller
May 11, 1919
Reds over the Cardinals 6-0

Johnny Vander Meer
June 11, 1938
Reds over the Boston Braves 3-0

Johnny Vander Meer
June 15, 1938
Reds over the Brooklyn Dodgers 6-0 (Vander Meer did it on back to back starts a feat that has never been accomplish! ed and has not happened since)

Clyde Shoun
May 15, 1944
Reds 1-0 over the Boston Braves.

Ewell Blackwell
June 18, 1947
Reds 6-1 over the Boston Braves

Jim Maloney
August 19, 1965
Cincinnati 1-0 over the Cubs in 10 innings

George Culver
July 29, 1968
Reds over the Phillies 6-1 in the 2nd game of a double header

Jim Maloney
April 30, 1969
Reds 10-0 over Houston Astros. (In the very next game of the series Don Wilson of Houston would pitch a no hitter against the Reds)

Tom Seaver
June 16, 1978
Reds win 4-0 over St. Louis

Tom Browning
September 16, 1988
Reds 1-0 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Perfect Game)

College Basketball's top backcourts in 2009-10

4. Kentucky

Backcourt: John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Darnell Dodson, DeAndre Liggins
Analysis: Both Wall and Bledsoe are terrific athletes and are more than capable of running a team. Neither is regarded as a great shooter, but they may not need to make perimeter shots with their ability to get to the basket. Dodson is the guy who can really make shots from deep.

17. Xavier

Backcourt: Jordan Crawford, Mark Lyons, Terrell Holloway, Dante Jackson, Brad Redford
Analysis: New coach Chris Mack has plenty of backcourt options, but we think it'll be the tandem of Crawford and Lyons that will eventually emerge. Both are athletic and have the ability to score and distribute.

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Why the Colon signing makes sense

I must admit that I laughed when I read the Sox signed Bartolo Colon to a minor-league deal. What are the odds he was on round 3 at the Golden Corral. This guy may miss the strike zone an awful lot, but he certainly never misses a meal.

But the more and more I think about it, the signing comes at a perfect time. Boston just found out a few weeks ago that Schill used 'em for a cool $8M. I still envision they'll take him to court and the judge will rule he be awarded 8 schillings, instead. At least we know from his less than impressive stint on Celebrity Jeopardy that he's aware of what they are. Despite losing a fading #3 pitcher at best, it gives Clay Bucholz and Jon Lester an opportunity to saddle in at 4 and 5 behind Beckett, Dice-K and Wakefield. While there's no solid "starter" depth beyond that, I feel confident that the likes of Kyle Snyder, Devern Hansack and David Pauley could fill in quite fine until Theo finds help.

This, for Colon, is perfect! . He reportedly has shown up to camp looking like Butterbean at a weigh-in - with no concern for a weight limit and the miscontrued theory that fatter=better. Although the Sox were impressed with his ability to pick up a baseball and throw it 120 feet, we had kids in Little League who were throwing it over the center field fence from home plate. What's the big deal in that? Pitching coach John Farrell admitted they were unhappy with his less than aesthetically pleasing body.

Brief side bar here: The Metro's Joe Haggerty reported that Manny Delcarmen shed 15 lbs this offseason. He claims to have with his brother at an area Gold's Gym. Any chance he's lying to cover up the fact that Colon actually just ate the weight off of him? I'm just saying...

Anyway, there's no denying that Colon is a proven commodity when healthy. He has a fastball in the mid-to-upper 90's who had a great stretch from '98 to '05. He threw over 200 innings in seven of those eight se! asons and had an ERA under 4.00 in six of them. Lest we forget! , the gu y won 21 games and the Cy-Young just three years ago. Since then, he's had a myriad of injuries and hasn't hit the 100 inning plateau in either of the last two seasons. The guy was gassed in the fifth inning of his final outing in the Caribbean Series.

The Red Sox and its medical staff seem to do well bringing back players, particularly pitchers, from injuries at a pace that allows them to fully recover and maximize their performance. Just look at Schilling, Beckett, Okajima, Timlin and Lester in '07, plus Wakefield every year. Foulke was an exception, but nobody cared after his Burger King comment anyway. The key here for Colon will be to adhere to their medical and professional advice and follow the pitching program to a "T". In no way do I expect to see this guy on the Opening Day roster. They won't need him until June. If he stays in extended spring training, they can help him shed that weight like a dog's coat of fur. Hopefully he doesn't leave it all over th! e place, though.

After the season starts, he'll have the chance to work his way through a few "rehab" starts, gaining confidence in locating his fastball and splitter again while building stamina before a return to the major leagues. Chances are, we've seen the last of Curt Schilling. And even moreso, chances are that all five projected starters won't last the entire season without missing a start or two. The Sox have capable, temporary solutions already in place, but this no-risk, high-reward scenario with Colon is an ace up the sleeve. Don't use it because you have it; use it when you the time is right, and you'll maximize production.

Gentlemen's Club Champion Crowned

As posted by NFL.com: Arkham Asylum (Rich Keefe) won the Gentlemens Club Championship by a score of 86 to 85 over A-Rod still has meat curtains (Tristan Besse). Randy Moss led the team in scoring in the championship round and Michael Turner led the team in scoring for the season. Congrats once again to Arkham Asylum on a terrific Fantasy football Season. Hope to see you all next year!

As posted by the Brief: Rich Keefe joins former champions Tristan Besse, Rick Keefe, and Will Woodward on the plaque. Besse finished 2nd for the 2nd time in 4 years as well as capturing the 1st title since keeping track on said plaque.

Matt Vaughn finished the regular season as the number 1 overall seed in his first season as Owner/ GM, before succumbing to the eventual champ. Vaughn had worked the previous 3 seasons as assistent GM to Brian Sharkey, who also made the ! playoffs this season. Vaughn edged out Besse and Keefe for 2008 Executive of the Year.

The Commissioner of the League will go over the final statistics of the season to see whether or not changes need to be made. But at this time, just a "Job Well Done" goes out to Rich Keefe and the rest of the Gentlemen's Club for a great season.

Keyboard Cat + KO = Gold

-Keefe

Inter Milan 3-1 Napoli

Inter Milan moved to the top of Serie A with a solid win over Napoli with all four goals coming in the first half.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho watched on from the stands as his side raced into a three-goal lead.

Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring after just two minutes with his strike partner Diego Milito adding a second three minutes later.

Lucio added a third in the 32nd minute with Ezequiel Lavezzi grabbing a consolation five minutes later.

Mourinho was! forced to follow proceedings from the sidelines after being sent off in Sunday's 2-1 win at Cagliari.

He saw his side hit the ground running with Eto'o putting them ahead with just two minutes on the clock.

Walter Samuel's header was blocked on the line and Esteban Cambiasso's back-heel attempt was perhaps trickling into the corner, but Eto'o made sure from a yard out.

Milito added a second within minutes, although there was more than a hint of offside about his positioning as he latched onto an excellent through ball from Maicon before placing his shot comfortably past Morgan De Sanctis.

Maicon created the chance with a powerful run in from the right, where he skipped past Juan Zuniga and Walter Gargano before releasing Milito to score.

Rather than let their heads drop, Napoli had a positive response with Christian Maggio's cross providing Fabio Quagliarella with a free header from seven yards which the former Sampdoria and Udinese strik! er should have scored.

At the other end, Maicon hit a t! hunderou s shot from 25 yards which only just flew over.

Quagliarella had another chance to bring Napoli back into the game and this time he did meet a corner with an accurate header which Julio Cesar managed to push over the crossbar.

Inter needed a third goal to settle their nerves and they got it in the 32nd minute as Lucio scored his first goal since arriving from Bayern Munich in the summer.

The Brazilian defender leapt higher than anybody to reach a left-wing corner and headed the ball into the centre of De Sanctis' goal with the Napoli goalkeeper not looking very convincing as he flapped at the ball.

Lavezzi tried to make a game of it with his first goal since March in the 37th minute.

Yet again, the goal came from a set-piece with Matteo Contini hitting the ball back across the face of goal from a far-post position and Lavezzi tapping in.

But Inter's lead was never in any doubt as they slowed down the tempo and bossed possession for t! he remainder of the match to take over at the top of Serie A, at least for 24 hours.

London Irish 25 Scarlets 27

The Heineken Cup game between London Irish and Scarlets at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, on Saturday Oct 17, 2009.

Scarlets took command of their Heineken Cup group with a rollercoaster win over London Irish, sealed by Stephen Jones' last-gasp penalty.

Trailing 21-18 with 15 minutes to go, prolific Samoan winger Sailosi Tagicakibau ran in his seventh try of the season to give the Exiles sight of victory.

But with little over a minute remaining on the clock, substitute Peter Richards conceded a penalty in fr! ont of the posts and Jones landed the decisive kick.

Wales fly-half Jones was in commanding form, kicking magnificently throughout to finish with 17 points and showing composure to help Scarlets remain top of Pool Six.

Irish edged the try count three to two with Declan Danaher and Elvis Seveali'i also crossing, but victory could have gone either way in a compelling contest at the Madejski Stadium. Both teams attacked at will with Daniel Evans' individual try the highlight for the Scarlets while winger Lee Williams also touched down in a see-saw encounter.

It looked ominous for Scarlets when Irish scored with their first attack of the match, a try instigated by Seilala Mapusua's bulldozing run through midfield.

Mapusua broke two tackles and the ball was recycled to number eight Chris Hala'ufia, who supplied fellow back row Danaher the scoring pass with just six minutes on the clock.

When Lamb ! landed a drop goal shortly after, Irish looked comfortable lea! ders but Scarlets hit back with a moment of individual brilliance from Evans.

The full-back chipped over the Exile's advancing line, gathered and raced around Hewat before winning the 25-metre race to the line.

Jones' conversion and a penalty sandwiched three points from Lamb, but once again Irish pulled clear with an all-Samoan try though Seveali'i.

Once again Mapusua was the creator, only this time using his boot to chip through to Seveali'i who pounced on the kind bounce and touched down.

The ebb and flow continued as Scarlets replied two minutes later when Williams escaped a congested left wing and exposed Hewat's lack of pace with a crafty chip that he got fingertips to in the left corner.

Homer was shown a yellow card for taking Williams out in the air and when Jones slotted a penalty, the sides entered half-time all-square at 18-18.

Scarlets should have taken the lead shortly into the second half! , pulverising their opponents at a scrum and winning two more before centre Jonathan Davies almost danced over.

Somehow Irish, after coming under immense pressure, wrestled the ball free from Davies and escaped.

But the momentum had clearly shifted and when Jones added his third penalty, Scarlets were in the driving seat.

Slowly, however, Irish clawed their way back into contention and were inches short of crossing through Tagicakibau following a brilliant pass by Lamb.

Jones struck the uprights with a penalty and in the 66th minute the Exiles landed what looked a telling blow.

Seeking to exploit space on the right, Evans' pass intended for Mark Jones was intercepted by Tagicakibau who had stationed himself in the Llanelli line.

The Samoan still faced a 75-metre run to the line but once in the clear no player had the gas to stop him as he crossed beneath the posts with Lamb converting.

Tension continued to grip the Madejski Stadium as Jone! s booted his fourth penalty before snatching victory with just over a minute to go.

Austria Vienna 2-2 Werder Bremen

Thiago Schumacher's late equaliser completed Austria Vienna's comeback from a two-goal second-half deficit against Werder Bremen.

Claudio Pizarro scored in the 19th and 63rd minutes to give Bremen a 2-0 lead before Emin Sulimani pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute.

And Schumacher then grabbed the equaliser with two minutes remaining.

Bremen at least extended their current unbeaten run to 14 games and the draw gives Thomas Schaaf's side seven points from th! ree matches in Group L, while Vienna improved to two points.

Austria Vienna boss Karl Daxbacher came into the game without his top two strikers, Tomas Jun and Rubin Okotie, as well as goalkeeper Szabolcs Safar.

The first chance came after 11 minutes as Milenko Acimovic's curling free-kick from 20 yards went just left of Tim Wiese's goal.

Bremen's first real opportunity turned into the first goal of the game in the 19th minute.

Mesut Ozil sent a free-kick from the right wing into the box where Pizarro jumped higher than the Vienna defence to head home past Robert Almer from five yards.

The hosts remained determined to push forward and Acimovic's corner was cleared by Wiese after 29 minutes before Manuel Ortlechner just missed connecting with another dangerous cross.

Midway through the first half, Wiese broke the club record for the longest scoreless stretch, passing Oliver Reck's mark of 641 minutes in 1987-88.

Bremen increase! d the pressure on the hosts and had three straight chances, in! cluding Per Mertesacker's header off the post eight minutes before the break.

Vienna had the ball in the net 10 minutes after the restart through Zlatko Junuzovic but he was ruled offside.

And it was Bremen who scored again in the 63rd minute, Pizarro taking advantage of a horrible mistake by veteran defender Jacek Bak.

Bak tried to head back to his goalkeeper from 25 yards out but Pizarro intercepted the ball and rounded Almer before slotting home.

Vienna pulled a goal back with 17 minutes to play as Sulimani's shot from 20 yards was deflected past Wiese.

And the home side snatched an unlikely point with two minutes to play as substitute Schumacher headed home from 10 yards.

Mark Lewis-Francis loses lottery funding from UK Athletics

He was once described by sprinting great Donovan Bailey as "the most phenomenal talent I have ever seen", but Mark Lewis-Francis has now found himself cast into the wilderness after being axed from UK Athletics' Lottery funding programme.

The 27-year-old, who ran a brilliant final leg at the 2004 Athens Olympics to hold off American Maurice Greene and earn Britain the 4x100 metres gold medal, has been dogged by injury problems in recent years and missed the entire 2008 season with a torn Achilles' tendon.

A year ago he parte! d company with coach Tony Lester and joined up with Linford Christie in an attempt to resurrect his sprinting career, though his hopes of gaining at least a place in the relay squad for this summer's World Championships in Berlin ended in frustration when he finished last in the 100m final at the UK trials in Birmingham.

The Birchfield Harrier had already been placed on reduced 'relay' funding following his failure to reach the individual 100m final at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka but now faces the prospect of being cut off from financial support altogether. He will no longer qualify even for free medical care and physiotherapy.

It is a dramatic fall for the former junior world champion who, at the age of 18, announced himself as a global star in the marking when he clocked 9.97sec in his 100m quarter-final at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton only for the time to be ruled illegal bec! ause of a faulty wind gauge.

But, despite anchori! ng Brita in to Olympic relay gold three years later, he has failed to fulfil his early potential as an individual sprinter and UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee has finally lost patience.

Another former junior world champion, Christian Malcolm, has also paid the price for indifferent performances by being dropped from the funding programme.

The 30-year-old was fifth in the 200m final at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics but suffered a major dip in form this summer, finishing fifth in the 200m final at the UK trials and failing to gain selection for Berlin.

Other prominent athletes who have lost their Lottery support include hurdler Sarah Claxton and high jumper Martyn Bernard, though hurdler Andy Turner has been restored to the funding programme after being dropped in 2008.

Jenny Meadows, who took the 800m bronze in Berlin, has been promoted to top-tier 'podium' funding, as have the fast-improving 400m hurdler, ! David Greene, and 110m hurdler William Sharman.

Van Commenee said: "The criteria and selection process has been redeveloped to be much clearer and more transparent for all involved and I am confident it has produced a crop of athletes who will deliver to the aims of the programme, namely success on the global stage."

Easy win for Davydenko

Nikolay Davydenko cruised through to the second round of the Valencia Open with a straight-sets victory.

Davydenko, the second seed behind Britain's Andy Murray, defeated qualifier Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-2 6-1 in his first-round clash.

Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych was a 6-3 6-4 victor over Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, while Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez also won in straight sets, defeating Germany's Simon Greul 7-5 6-2.

Albert Montanes beat qualif! ier Roberto Bautista-Agut in an all-Spanish clash 6-1 3-6 6-4.

Semi Final 2 First Leg in Viet Nam

17/12/08

19:00

My Dinh National Stadium Hanoi

Viet Nam 0 : 0 Singapore

LA NUOVA STRATEGIA DI DI CARLO: QUESTANNO SI VOLA SENZA IL TURNOVER

di Marco Spinelli
fonte: Dnews

Il turnover può attendere. Perché l'exploit del Chievo ha un'identità precisa, ovvero le scelte di mister Di Carlo: sempre coerenti e fedeli ad un 4-3-1-2 ormai radicato. Gli appunti di viaggio in mano al tecnico ciociaro raccontano di una squadra che gioca a memoria, schierando sempre lo stesso undici. Il dato impressionante è riferito al blocco difensivo, mai sottoposto a cambiamenti: la linea Frey-Morero-Yepes-Mantovani non ha mai mancato visita, pe! r un totale di 630'

Il lungo forfait di Rigoni consentirà a Iori di giocarsi le sue carte a centrocampo, ma è l'unica novità in un reparto che ha già i propri automatismi. Anche in attaco i giochi sono fatti. Capitan Pellissier si sta confermando implacabile, ma la sorpresa è Bogdani: il gran sascrificio che mette in campo ogni domenica ha costretto Abbruscato a rimanere a secco di minuti. Curiosando, pensando che l'anno scorso il chievo aveva utilizzato più di 30 giocatori

Piacenza, arriva Gene Gnocchi!

di Andrea Ranaldo
Fonte: Piacenzacalcio.it

Prosegue la preparazione in vista della trasferta di sabato a Cittadella. In gruppo Bini, Calderoni, Graffiedi, Sambugaro e Parfait. Differenziato per Zammuto. Assenti Bianchi e Nainggolan. Per Guzman piccola lesione muscolare: l'attaccante infortunatosi nell'amichevole con l'Inter di sabato sarà assente per almeno tre-quattro settimane. Domani seduta pomeridiana con visita a carattere televisivo di Gene Gnocchi con il suo "Gnok calcio show" .

Mantova-Empoli: arbitra Tommasi

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: tuttomantova.it

Sarà il signor Tommasi a dirigere l'incontro tra Mantova ed Empoli, valido per la decima giornata del campionato di B. Fischio d'inizio sabato alle ore 15.30. Ecco tutte le designazioni per il decimo turno del torneo cadetto:
Lecce-Salernitana (venerdì ore 20.45): Valeri Ascoli-Torino: RomeoCesena-Brescia: BergonziCittadella-Piacenza: PinzaniCrotone-Vicenza: DoveriGrosseto-Padova: Giannoccaro Mantova-Empoli: TommasiModena-Frosinone: GavaReggina-Ancona: RussoTriestina-Gallipoli: Nasca Albinoleffe-Sassuolo (! lunedì ore 20.45): Velotto

Colantuono: Non ci piangiamo addosso per le assenze

fonte: www.torinofc.it

Ha incontrato i media, prima della partenza per Ascoli, il tecnico Stefano Colantuono: <Abbiamo parecchie defezioni, e Gorobsov è convocato ma si allena normalmente solo da ieri. Vantaggiato ed Arma sono tornati questa settimana con il gruppo, stanno ritrovando la condizione. Saumel è ormai! un calciatore recuperato, e si sta allenando con ottima intensità: gli mancavano delle partite, quindi ha giocato tre volte con la Primavera e ora sta bene.
Mi dispiace per la perdita di un calciatore in forma come Andrea, però "amen". Sono e siamo tutti battaglieri come il solito. Non ci piangiamo addosso, come sempre dovremo essere tonici e tosti e cercheremo di fare il meglio possibile ad Ascoli. La squadra ha voglia di rivalsa, e sono convinto che disputeremo una partita da Toro>>.

Magalini: "Amaro in bocca. I tifosi hanno espresso il loro dissenso, va bene"

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: tuttomantova

Ecco alcune dichiarazioni del direttore sportivo biancorosso Giuseppe Magalini nel dopopartita di Mantova-Empoli: "Ho visto una prestazione superba della squadra, hanno messo in campo lo spirito giusto per ottenere dei risultati importanti. Ora è importante mantenere lo stesso standard per dare continuità alle prestazioni. Non cogliere i tre punti lascia veramente l'amaro in bocca. Siamo stati puniti al primo mezzo errore". Parlando poi dello striscione, esposto in curva, polemico! con la società, il ds chiosa smorza i toni e chiosa: "Se i tifosi hanno ritenuto questo il modo di esprimere il loro dissenso va bene, noi con la tifoseria abbiamo feeling e non sarà certo uno striscione, per quanto dai toni forti, a romperlo".

Catania in Toscana

DI:Sebastiano Battiano
Fonte:calciocatania.com

Il comunicato ufficiale della società etnea che annuncia il ritiro anticipato in Toscana:Il Catania anticipa la partenza per la Toscana, in vista della gara in programma domenica alle 15 a Firenze: oggi trasferimento in tarda mattinata e primo allenamento nel pomeriggio. Tutti convocati, ad eccezione degli indisponibili Barrientos e Sciacca e dei giovani Donnarumma e Suarino.

#096 La SuperSintesi della 28a di A e 30a di B

Verdetti 3: Il Parma è in Serie A

Livio Forma annuncia il ritorno del Parma in Serie A

Bolt 9' 58'', con Decleva e Laraia

Lo stadio Olimpico di Berlino è un sinonimo di storia dello Sport, di imprese che scrivono e cambiano la storia. Da sempre. Nella serata di Domenica 16 Agosto, il mondo ha avuto gli occhi puntati per una finale di atletica leggera, per i Mondiali 2009. Usain Bolt ci fa scoprire che i limiti umani (o meglio dire, i suoi) non sono ancora ben definiti. Riesce ad abbassare in maniera sbalorditiva il record del Mondo dei 100 metri che ora è fissato al suo 9' 58''. Un evento assolutamente imperdibile anche all'orecchio della nostra radio e dai microfoni delle nostre voci. L'intera radiocronaca nella professionalità e la competenza di Gianni Decleva e Doriana Laraia, nell'immediato pre, nel durante e nei commenti a caldo. Buon ascolto.

Tutto il calcio n° 13

Tutto il Calcio Serie A
Giornata 6
(Domenica 27/09 ore 15.00)
Conduce: Alfredo Provenzali
In studio: Filippo Corsini

1 Juventus - Bologna Riccardo Cucchi
2 Udinese - Genoa Emanuele Dotto
3 Parma - Cagliari Tonino Raffa
4 Napoli - Siena Carlo Verna
5 Lazio - Palermo Livio Forma
6 Catania - Roma Niky Pandolfini
7 Chievo Vr - Atalantra Massimo Zennaro

Collegamenti con:

• Volley femminile: Europei dalla Polonia con Simonetta Martellini
• Formula 1: Gp di Singapore con Giulio Delfino
• Ciclismo: Mondiali di Mendrisio Uomini Elite con Antonello Orlando e Giovanni Scaramuzzino
  

Anticipi:
Sampdoria - Inter
Radiocronista: Francesco Repice
Seconda voce: Tarcisio Mazzeo

Livorno - Fiorentina
Radiocronista: Giuseppe Bisantis
Seconda voce: Enzo Baldini

Posticipo:
Milan - Bari
Radiocronista: Giuseppe Bisantis
Seconda voce: Tarcisio Mazzeo

Recuperi 9^ giornata di Serie B

Cari lettori, edizione ridotta per la rubrica "Highlights" dedicata alla Serie B. Ieri sera infatti si sono disputate le quattro partite della serie cadetta della 9^ giornata rinviate a causa degli impegni delle nazionali. L'Ancona con la vittoria sul Piacenza balza in testa alla classifica con un punto di vantaggio sul Frosinone. Il Gallipoli vince a sorpresa a Brescia e così centra la seconda vittoria in campionato, la prima in trasferta della stagione. Pareggio tra Empoli e Triestina. Infine, spettacolo al Via del Mare, dove la Reggina in vantaggio per due volte si fa rimontare ed alla fi! ne superare dai pugliesi che vincono grazie ad una doppietta di Baclet. Per la Reggina la classifica si fa sempre più pericolosa. Ecco i risultati e la classifica aggiornata:

Ancona-Piacenza 2-1

Brescia-Gallipoli 0-1

Empoli-Triestina 1-1

Lecce-Reggina 3-2

Classifica dopo l'11^ giornata: Ancona 22; Frosinone 21; Torino, Cesena e Lecce 20; Padova ed Empoli 18; Sassuolo 17; Vicenza, Brescia e Modena 16; Cittadella 15; Grosseto e Ascoli 14; Triestina 13; Gallipoli 12; Albinoleffe 10; Piacenza e Reggina 9; Mantova 8; Crotone (-2) 7; Salernitana 5. (Crotone -2 punti in classifica)

Gli highlights di Serie B Vi danno appuntamento a martedì prossimo. Buon calcio ! a tutti!

I Verdetti della stagione

FANTACAMPIONE: Piero Pancrazio - Il Giorno dei Giorni
Secondo posto: Giovanni Lamberti - Blucrociata Mattia
Terzo posto: Raffaele Lamebrti - Armata Lambertoska
Retrocedono in Serie B: Paolo Passafiume - Mani Pulite
Celestino Campopiano - Amici Miei F.C.

SCARPA D'ORO: Piero Pancrazio - Il Giorno dei Giorni

PALLONE D'ORO: Giovanni Lamberti - Blucrociata Mattia

COPPA ITALIA: Dinamo Tofa

Fu Culello...era Pierculello...adesso è CULEO!!!

Fu vera gloria?
Secondo un vecchio adagio che recita "virtù e fortuna non stanno mai di casa insieme", il dubbio effettivamente si insinua...un fenomeno strano, inatteso, duraturo e permeante...colpisce tutti gli altri quando meno se lo aspettano e li tiene in ostaggio per tutto il corso della stagione...LA CULITE!
In principio fu Culello, Homo dotato di cotanto stellone che le sue fortune furono per essere accettate come il sole al suo sorgere o al tramontare...faceva parte delle cose...Culello giocava, Culello vinceva, Culello comprava sconosciuti, Culello osava sbilanciarsi...Culello alla fine vinceva sempre...
Odiato da tutti, ha pensato bene di rovinare "la mano della Dea Bendata" costruendo squadre nei mercati estivi che manco l'aiuto del Supremo avrebbe potuto farci qualcosa...
E' lì che il fenomeno cambiò...e nacque Pierculello. Sulle ceneri di una fortuna lasciata al caso, quasi ripudiata, di certo sfidata a duello...il nostro Pierculello (noto per i suoi pianti greci sulle altrui fortune) all'improvviso assunse i galloni del fortunato. Squadre forti, certo, ma che fra le sue mani diventavano fortissime, imbattibili, eccezionali...e vinse..
Poi...un ritorno illustre. L'uomo che vinse con Vialli, Ravanelli, Platt, Padalino. Quattordici anni fa era tutto diverso, le nostre vite erano diverse (mamma mia cosa darei...). Quattordici anni dopo ci sono Castillo, Denis, Amauri, Handanovic, Galloppa, Siviglia...
Risultato? Terzo posto in classifica e un vento in "poppa" che lascia spazio a proclami importanti...la verità (come direbbe il nostro caro RAF)? La verità è che...SIGNORE E SIGNORI, E' NATO CULEO!

notizie fondate parlano di calcio scommesse

Sembra che la Fottuta Nuanda abbia pagato la consorella I Love Giorgia per battermi....ma io non ho paura !!!

Handanovic
Criscito (c)
Manfredini
Cannavaro
Muntari
Zanetti (c)
Taddei
Perrotta
Amauri
Calaiò
Marilungo

Belardi
Bellini
Galloppa
Nocerino
Martinez
Russotto
Denis

ARMATA

Brazil friendly not about money

Kevin Kilbane is still optimistic about Ireland's chances, whoever they end up facing after today's play offs draw.

The draw takes place in Zurich at midday British time. Here the FIFA site talks us through some of the issues, including why "the ranking positions of the unseeded teams does not necessarily reflect their current form, as all four nations have claimed the runners-up spots in their groups with impressive and courageous qualifying campaigns." And, in the Republic's case, without losing a game, unlike, for example, Russia, Portugal, France or Greece.

Here's an interesting book which anyone getting too over-excited about England's prospects is advised to read.

And England's forthcoming friendly against Brazil isn't just about the cash, apparently. OK.

Americans On The Continent: Gladbachs Munich Misery

Michael Bradley and Borussia Monchengladbach saw their hopes of remaining in the German Bundesliga slip even further from their grasp as they fell 2-1 to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich over the weekend.

The Rest

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"I was a bit like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon II when he had to dislocate his shoulder to get out of a straitjacket."
Theo Walcott on his troublesome injury.

"Our intention was not to come for a point."
Bolton boss Gary Megson after the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth. Job done.

"Jimmy knocked my screen and Drogba fell over."
Phil Thompson on Didier Drogba's diving after the Chelsea v Liverpool game. (Thompson was sat next to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Sky Sports News.)

"I thought I saw a corner there, but I am very high."
Darragh Moloney commentating for RTE during Porto-United - after Porto were awarded a goal kick.

"These two legs have really opened up."
Jim Beglin after Frank Lampard makes it 4-4 in the game with Liverpool.

"We are the Potters, the rip-roaring potters, back in the Prem where Pulis got us, so come on everybody let's keep Stoke up, keep Sto! ke up, keep Stoke up!"
'Pottermouth's' Stoke rap to the tune of Eminem's Real Slim Shady.

The Rest

Tim Vickery in South America

Good and evil are not hard to find in Argentine football, sometimes in the same place - such as the Huracan club at the moment.

Founded just over a century ago, Huracan are one of the traditional big six of greater Buenos Aires.

Friday MLS Forecast: Week Eighteen

The Forecast applauds Landon Donovan's sense of irony and flair for the dramatic before revealing its weekly selections.

Monday MLS Breakdown: Preseason Expectations Yield to Regular Season Realities for RSL

Real Salt Lake entered the 2009 campaign expecting to compete for the Western Conference crown. After some early season stumbles, RSL has made a few changes as it seeks to reach those preseason goals. Kyle McCarthy spent some time in Utah last week and has all the details.

The Joy of Six: All-British European Ties

Brian Clough's rope-a-dope tactic, Rangers' bemulleted Godzilla and Anfield's bouncy castle.

England: Premier League Weekend Previews & Predictions

All eyes will be on Old Trafford Saturday as Manchester United welcome Arsenal. Elsewhere, Chelsea host Burnley, Liverpool go to Bolton, Stoke and Sunderland clash, Spurs host Birmingham, Wolves welcome Hull, West Ham go to Blackburn, Pompey host Manchester City, Everton welcome Wigan and Fulham face Villa in Birmingham.

Preview I
Previe! w II

Phil McNulty: Arsenal's revival faces ManU test

Lawro's Predictions

Liverpool Sign Massive New Shirt Sponsorship Deal

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez may find his transfer coffers boosted soon, after the Reds announced that they had signed the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in their history with Standard Chartered Bank. The company's name will appear on the team's shirts for the next four years, beginning in July 2010 and running through to the end of the 2013-14 season.








Carlsberg kit comes to an end after 17 years...

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Roundups

Mladen Petric scored 17 minutes from time as Hamburg saw off Bayern Munich to keep their place at the top of the Bundesliga.
Saturday


A Vedad Ibisevic hat-trick inspired Hoffenheim to a 5-1 win over Hertha Berlin which took the side up to third in the table.
Sunday

!

Argentina's Miraculous Victory: God & The Saint Prevail Right At The Death

When Peru's Hernan Rengifo scored an unlikely equaliser in the final minute of the World Cup qualifier against Argentina at the Monumental stadium on Saturday, it seemed that Diego Maradona's and Argentina's World Cup dream had come to an abrupt end.



Harris:
Messi on missing list in eye of the storm.

Do you agree with Sir Alex Ferguson ?

Alex Ferguson said that he has the strongest squad this season, do you agree ? I do because he has different types of players to choose. Although Wayne Rooney is injured, he still has Louis Saha and Carlos Tevez for replacement. Yes, i know that many fans think that the weakness of this season squad is at the back. But remember that Man Utd has many talented young players at the back, such as Gerard Pique, Jonny Evans, and Daniel Simpson. How about at the midfield ? tons of quality players. So i think this season squad is the strongest, do you agree ? But remember the strongest not always be the winner, so hopefully, Man Utd not only has the strongest squad but also the luck charm to win both the EPL and Champion League Title.

Emre Tambah Kekuatan Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce bisa menjadi kuda hitam yang patut diwaspadai di Eropa musim ini. Setelah Luis Aragones dan Daniel Guiza, Yellow Canaries kini memboyong Emre Belozoglu.

Tercapainya kesepakatan antara Fenerbahce dengan Emre diumumkan sendiri oleh gelandang 27 tahun itu. Di Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Emre mengikat kontrak berdurasi empat musim.

"Sudah sejak lama saya ingin mewakili klub Turki di Eropa. Saya sangat bahagia bisa bergabung dengan Fenerbahce dan saya harap saya bisa mengabdi di klub ini untuk jangka waktu yang panjang," ungkap Emre seperti diberitakan Yahoosport.

Tak disebutkan nilai kontrak yang disepakati kedua pihak, namun kedatangan mantan pemain Newcastle United dan Inter Milan itu dipastikan akan menambah kekuatan Fenerbahce di musim yang akan segera bergulir.

Sebagai salah satu klub tersukses di Turki, Fenerbahce sepertinya mulai mengalihkan perhatiannya ke Eropa. Kedat! angan Luis Aragones dan Daniel Guiza yang baru saja mengantar Spanyol menjadi juara Piala Eropa menjadi indikasi kuat ke arah tersebut.

Stadium record for Usain Bolt - from Universal Sports

www.UniversalSports.com 2009, Brussels, Belgium, IAAF Golden League Track and Field, Jamaican Usain Bolt easily beats the field, and breaks Tyson Gays old track record at 19.57 seconds in the mens 200m. Wallace Spearmon took second. (Universal Sports, UniversalSports.com)

Second straight tennis win puts Jankovic number one

STUTTGART, Germany (AFP) - Jelena Jankovic! will regain her world number one ranking on Monday less than 24 hours after winning Stuttgart's WTA event with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Nadia Petrova in Sunday's final.

With world number one Serena Williams losing in the second round here last week, Jankovic will reclaim top spot after capturing her second consecutive WTA title after taking the China Op! en title in Beijing.

"I am really excited about winning here, it's my second win in two weeks and my confidence is high," said Jankovic.

"I played some good tennis this week and I am proud of myself."

Jankovic must now choose between the prize of a brand-new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabrio or 98,500 dollars of prize money.

She joked: "I already have a Turbo, so why not the Carrera as well?"

The 23-year-old Serb started with a hiss and a roar as she raced into a 2-0 lead after breaking Petrova in the first game and it proved to be enou! gh to take the first set 6-4 after 46 minutes.

Petrova, the 2006 Stuttgart champion, is playing well above her ranking of 18th in the world, having won the Cincinnati tournament in August, and she broke Jankovic for the first time to level the second set 3-3.

Having beaten Venus Williams in Saturday's semi-final despite losing the first set, Jankovic again responded in style by breaking her opponent back and hold her service to take a 5-3 lead.

"I had gone a bit flat in the second set, that is normal because I have played a lot of games, but I wanted to respond and I found another gear," said Jankovic.

! "It was important to re-establish myself at that po! int in t he game."

She broke Petrova again to claim the second set - and the match - 6-3 to claim her third WTA title of the season after wins in Rome and Beijing.

Having broken a toe nail in Friday's quarter-final win over Russia's Vera Zvonareva, Jankovic again received pain-killing injections before the game.

"With the injections, I didn't feel a thing when I was playing," she said.

"But two or three hours after the game the pain kicks in and it hurts a lot, it will take a lot of time for the nail to grow back.

"The physio has told me to wear flip-flops for the flight home.

"But it's winter here - I want to wear boots."

Beaten-finalist Petrova praised the new champion and said she has taken plenty of heart from her run to the final.

"I fought hard for everything out there, but it wasn't to be," admitted the Russian.

"I'd like to congratulate Jelena, she is having an amazing run at the moment and this is another win for her.

"I tried my best here and I am looking forward to coming back to Stuttgart again."

source : YAHOO NEWS

CFB Preview: Texas/Oklahoma and Florida/LSU Headline the Week

#1 Oklahoma vs #5 Texas
This is the game of the year thus far. The top 2 Big 12 teams matching up where the winner will have the inside track to the BCS Title Game. The Sooners are built to win this season, and head coach Bob Stoops expects nothing less. Mack Brown the Longhorns head coach says this is the game he circled on his calender when he looked at this year's schedule. This winner of this game will likely be one of the teams playing for a championship in January, it is that simpl! e. I have said since day 1 that it is Oklahoma's year, the Sooners are the pick.

#4 LSU vs #11 Florida
Yet another gargantuan game with championship implications. Florida already has one loss and cannot afford another, while the defending champion LSU Tigers still remain undefeated in the tough SEC. To make this game even more intriguing an LSU defensive lineman decided to say he was going to "take out Tebow." The Gators are already using this as bulletin board material. I think this is the week Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin get the offense back on track. I like the Gators in a tight one.

#3 Missouri vs # 17 Oklahoma State
Mizzou has been overshadowed in the Big 12 by Oklahoma and Texas all year, but with one of them definitely losing this week the Tigers have a chance to get into th! e limelight. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have a huge opportuni! ty of th eir own. If this team can knock off Missouri, suddenly the Cowboys have themselves in great position in the Big 12 at an overall mark of 6-0. Expect a great game, but in the end Missouri lead by underrated QB in Chase Daniel pulls it out

Here are the rest of this week's picks:
UPSET ALERT: Clemson over #21 Wake Forest
#6 Penn State over Wisconsin
#7 Texas Tech over Nebraska
#8 USC over Arizona State
#9 BYU over New Mexico
#10 Georgia over Tennessee
UPSET ALERT: Purdue over #12 Ohio State
#13 Vanderbilt over Mississippi State
#14 Utah over Wyoming
#15 Boise State over Southern Miss
#16 Kansas over Colorado
#20 Auburn over Arkansas
UPSET ALERT: Notre Dame over #22 North Carolina
#23 Michigan State over Northwestern
#25 Ball State ov! er Western Kentucky
West Virginia over Syracuse
Illinois over Minnesota
South Carolina over Kentucky
Fresno State over Idaho

MLB Preview '09: NL East

It is Spring Training! This means it is time for my division by division preview. The NL East is home to the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. But can they repeat? The Mets have already said they are the team to beat after adding K-Rod and JJ Putz. Is Atlanta a darkhorse? What about Florida and Washington do they have any shot? Here is all you need to know about the NL East.

NL East Projected Standings
1. New York Mets- NL East Champions
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals

New York Mets
Key arrivals: Francisco Rodriguez, JJ Putz
Key departures: Pedro Martinez

I'm a believer. The Mets were a few relievers away from the NL East title, and NY acquired two of baseball's best. Francisco Rodriguez spent his entire career with Anaheim, but money drew him to the big apple. JJ Putz was brought in from Seattle in a huge trade. K-Rod will close, and Putz will become baseball's best set-up man. The Mets bullpen is now one of the best, on paper. The lineup is intact with Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and Carlos Delgado all still there. Johann Santana is now used to the NY spotlight and John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfrey are all back in town as well. The Mets will finally break through this season and win this division.

Philadelphia Phil! lies
Key arrivals: Raul Ibanez
Key departures: Pat Burrell

The defending World Series Champions did not lose a handful of key players, which is normally the case. Pat the bat is gone, but Ibanez is a great pick-up. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, and Brad Lidge still anchor this team. Lidge did not blow a single save last season. Hamels became an icon with his dazzling performances in the postseason. The Phillies had everything go in their favor last year. That will not be the case this season. Philadelphia now has a huge target on their back and! teams will gun for them. This is why they miss the playoffs. Philly hasn't had a title in a few decades and they have forgotten how to defend one. Lidge will blow saves, and Hamels will struggle as all youngsters do. Howard could be the saving grace, if he learns how to not strike out every other at bat. J-Roll is aging and his production will decrease as well. Philly will be right there, but stumble short.

Atlanta Braves
Key arrivals: Derek Lowe, Javiar Vazquez, Garret Ander! son
Key departures: John Smoltz

The Braves had! an offs eason to forget after missing out on AJ Burnett and Rafael Furcal. Atlanta also lost John Smoltz, he was a Brave his entire career. It is truly the changing of an era, except for manager Bobby Cox and 3B Chipper Jones. The Braves did manage to trade for SP Javiar Vazquez and sign SP Derek Lowe. These two guys will lead their rotation. Atlanta is not in bad shape. I truly believe they will contend with NY and Philadelphia. The Braves are younger and hungry. Bobby Cox will have his boys ready to play this season.

Florida Marlins
Key arrivals: Scott Proctor
Key departures: Josh Willingham, Kevin Gregg

The Marlins never have enough money to be major players in free agency. Florida survives on building their teams from within. They are always overachieving in the eyes of the league. But as manager Freddy Gonzalez will say, they expect to compete every year. We all remember the stories of Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, and Miguel Cabrera. Could guys like Matt Lidstrom, Josh Johnson, Cameron Maybin, and Hanley Ramirez be the next generation? I don't think this season. Ramirez has arrived and is now considered one of baseball's best players. He receieved a nice extension and should be in sunny Florida for a while. The Marlins will be weak at the beginning of the season, but peak late and make a run. I do not expect it to be enough for a playoff berth however.

Washington Nationals
Key arrivals: Adam Dunn, Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham
Key departures: Tim Redding, Chad Cordero (free agent)

The Nationals have been a joke their entire baseball existence. They were a joke in their later years as the Expos and a move to DC did not change their fate. Now they open a new ballpark and hope to attract fans. They failed to ink Mark Teixiera who was supposed to be their new poster boy. They settled with slugger Adam Dunn. The Nats made an underrated trade with division rival Florida when they acquired Willingham and Olsen. I do not think this will be enough to get them out of the NL East basement howev! er. The biggest issue for them is everyone above them improved as well. Washington is finally on the right track, but a few years away from competing.