SPANISH CUP 2009 - WEDNESDAY RETURN GAMES RESULTS

Lakers Up 2-1

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big win last night to go up 2 games to 1 on the Houston Rockets. The Lakers beat the Rockets 108-94. Since Game 1 Kobe Bryant has dominated the series and has refused to let the Lakers lose. Kobe scored 40 points in Game 2 and 33 in Game 3 last night. He also added 6 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 3 assists. Each of the other 4 Laker starters scored in double figures. Jordan Farmar started at the point for the suspended Derek Fisher. For the Lakers to win this series Kobe will need to have 2 more dominating performances because he isn't getting any help from his teammates. Andrew Bynum has disappeared and given the Lakers nothing offensively. Trevor Ariza and Derek Fisher have had trouble with their defensive matchups. The only help that Kobe has gotten in the series has been from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. The Lakers have had a tough time dealing with Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks.

A step back under Ryan?

If the world is catching up to the U.S. team, there are indications the Americans have taken a step back -- perhaps a small one -- as well. Although they remained unbeaten in first-round play since the tournament began in 1991 (13-0-2), the scores in the 2007 group stage were closer than ever and, for the first time, the United States had to closely monitor the progress of the group's other game on the final day of play to learn where it would finish.

The Americans faced the same three teams in group play this year as they did in 2003 and, although they defeated Sweden by two goals again, they had to come from behind to tie the North Koreans, 2-2, after beating them by 3-0 scores four years ago and in 1999. They also had to hold off Nigeria in the second half for a 1-0 victory following a 5-0 rout in '03 and a 7-1 decision in '99.

But there has also been a noticeable change in the U.S. team's style of play. The Americans have lacked a dynamic attacking ! element, a player to improvise in the open field and take on defenders like superstar Mia Hamm once did. They have also had trouble linking together quick, one-touch passes, a trademark of past U.S. teams, to unlock opposing defenses. Other than Lori Chalupny's two-way play, the U.S. midfield has lacked production and ingenuity.

"I've definitely seen them play better," Sweden team captain Victoria Svensson said. "Six or seven years ago, they would try to play the ball on the ground a lot more and pull teams apart that way. Now they just try to bang it up".

Boston Breakers

Joe Cummings, Kristine Lilly and Angela Hucles were all smiles yesterday as they helped officially announce the return of the Boston Breakers.
Cummings said he expects to name a head coach, key front office personnel and a home field within the next 30-60 days.

Pellerud: "No more New Jersey"

Canada WNT coach Even Pellerud, upset by the accusations coming from the New Jersey Wildcats camp, has allegedly vowed not to allow Canadian WNT players to sign for the W-League club.
SEE August 1 posts

Virginia Tech 1, UNC 0

Virginia Tech rode a 10-save performance by Kristin Carden to a 1-0 victory over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in women's soccer action Sunday evening. Virginia Tech moves into sole possession of first place in the ACC with the victory with a 4-0 record while UNC loses this season for the first time, falling to 10-1-1 overall and 3-1 in the ACC.

There's Life after Matfield and Bakkies

What a first few weeks of Super 14 rugby we've had.

The Experimental Law Variations definitely added some, or should I say much needed, spice to the way the game is played. Simply put, we are seeing more rugby over 80 minutes and fans get their money's worth.

Something else we have seen is the wealth of locks that have emerged over the last year or so. In Springbok rugby you've always had the dynamic duo of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha – arguably the best lock pair in the world, but now that the two of them have gone to greener pastures, selectors could be forced to look at the country's other not less known line-out jumpers.

That's if SA Rugby implements a plan to ignore overseas based players for Springbok selection.

Matfield and Botha are brilliant, but by no means irreplaceable.

I'm a big fan of the talent in the Cape right now. You've got the likes of Andries Bekker – who's got Springbok written all over hi! m – and more young talent like Ross Skeate, Francois van der Merwe and the Stormers' new acquisition Adriaan Fondse. In the last four years or so, the Stormers didn't have what one would call quality locks. They were making up the numbers more than anything, but what you have now is four players of the highest caliber who will give Springbok coach Peter de Villiers something to think about when he selects his first Springbok team later this year.

The Sharks have a potential Springbok captain in their midst (if John Smit is ignored for selection) and he just so happens to be a lock. Johann Muller has led the Boks before and is by no means an average back-rower. He has sort of been overshadowed by the dominating presence of Matfield and Botha, but with them out of the picture he could step up and make his presence felt aswell.

Barend Pieterse has been solid for the Cheetahs (check these facts) year in and year out and if memory serves, he was called ! up for the Boks' end-of-year tour to Wales and England.
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So uth African rugby will definitely miss the valuable experience of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, but it need not be all doom and gloom.

Emotional game for Tygerberg

There are only a few matches taking place in Club Rugby this weekend due to the public holidays. Tonight Hamiltons will take on Tygerberg in Greenpoint.

Hamiltons are currently second on the log. The fixture for Tygerberg will be emotional for them, two years ago one of their players Immanuel McKenzie had a heart attack during the game and died in hospital.

Tomorrow SK Walmers take on Durbell, both teams are sitting low on the log and will be hoping to get a win from this fixture so they can move up the log.

Holland show their hand!

Goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy, above, Wesley Sneijder and Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave Holland a deserved 3-0 victory in Berne in EURO 2008 opening round action, leaving both Italy and France with much to think about after their opening games. The French were uninspiring in a goaless draw with Romania, and they face a tough few days. They meet the Azzuri on friday, followed by Italy four days later.

Ameeroedien reaching new frontiers

Rayana Ameeroedien has taken a huge leap for woman in the sporting world. She will be challenging for the Muay Thai Woman's World Bantam weight title at the ICC tomorrow. The event will showcase South Africa's talent in the Muay Thai arena. The sport has a lot of similarities to kickboxing, it uses all parts if the body as well as elbows and knees. Ameeroedien initially started training for the sport to raise her fitness and gain self confidence. She says Muay Thai is an excellent sport for woman to get involved in as it builds self esteem and teaches you to defend yourself which she believes is very important to young woman.

Am! eeroedien's will take on Thailand's Nongkarn in her fight tomorrow, the last encounter ended with a loss for the South African. However she says she has been working hard with her trainer to improve her fighting.

The 30-year-old is not only braun and brains but beauty as well. She was featured in Sports Illustrated Beauty's of Sport. Personally I think Ameeroedien is wonderful role model not just for young woman but all young South African's. She shows when you work hard anything is possible.

WP Hope Rest Will Spark Turnaround

Vodacom Western Province get the second half of their Currie Cup campaign underway this weekend with lots to do to reach the playoffs. They'll probably also need a bit of lady luck to book them a spot in the semi's.

Province could only manage three wins out of seven matches in the first round and have only 17 log points to show for it, far less than the top four who seem to be well on their way to the playoffs. The men from the Cape will have to win all their matches well and hope one or two of the big teams stumble along the way.

They start their near impossible task against the Blue Bulls ! at Loftus on Friday night, a side they beat 26 - 17 in the first round at Newlands. They then take on log-leaders the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, a side they also beat in the first round. But the sides had to play on a wet Newlands in the lowest scoring match of the tournament so far.

Province will rue those two losses to Griquas and the Valke, two of the so-called Minnows in the Currie Cup, in the first round. Good wins there could have put them in the top three at this stage of the tournament. But rugby's a strange sport and results are often determined by the bounce of the ball and Province will be hoping it bounces right for them in the latter half of the Currie Cup.

Kick off against the Blue Bulls on Friday night is at 19h10.

Elements Could be a Factor

Tomorrow night's Currie Cup clash between Vodacom Western Province and Griquas at Newlands could go to the team who plays the conditions the best.

Even though no rain is forecast for tomorrow night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow morning which could make the Newlands pitch even more greasier than what it is at the moment. Heavy rains have battered the Mothercity this week and under-foot conditions at Newlands could be tricky.

A strong swirling wind under lights could also make kicking penalties and conversions a bit tough. The weather office says the mercury will peak at a modest 1! 4 degrees by midday tomorrow with temperatures dropping to less than 10 degrees at night.

But the local boys will be used to the weather seeing that they havn't had a day of sunshine to prepare in this week and their sheer drive to qualify for the playoffs, they won't even notice the bad weather. Expect Griquas to come out firing in the first half and even be within touching distance at halftime but WP's fitness and skill will win them the game by a sizeable margin.

"WP JOU LEKKA DING!!!"

No Excuses for Boks

There's no reason why the Springboks should lose to England at Twickenham tomorrow. A lot has been said in the media this week that the Boks may be feeling a bit tired after a long season, but can this really be used as an excuse?

The Boks have played 13 tests since their 34 - 12 win over Wales in Cardiff last November. Tomorrow will be their 14th. Don't get me wrong, no one is disputing that it is a lot of rugby but one has to bear in mind that most of the players in the match 22 for tomorrow's world cup final replay have had some time off this season.

Conrad Jantjes is probably a player who can feel he's had a long season. He's started the majority of matches for South Africa, the Stormers and Western Province this season. After a horrid Super 14, JP Pietersen missed out on the inbound test matches this year and only made his return to the Green and Gold during the Tri-Nations. IRB Player of the Year for 2007, Bryan Habana, has had! his fair share of injuries this season so that should have provided him with a bit of a break. He missed a big chunk of the Super 14 after sustaining a shoulder injury in the opening game against the Stormers in Cape Town. He had another injury layoff during the Currie Cup.

Centre Adrian Jacobs has been used mainly as a substitute for the Sharks during the Super 14 and only nailed down a starting spot when he was selected for the national side, so no fatigue there. His centre partner Jean de Villiers however is another player who ! can feel he's had a long season behind him. He's been like a m! achine t his season and the injuries which have plagued him throughout the years are a distant memory. Ruan Pienaar is another player who's mainly been used as an impact player for the Boks this season before being entrusted with the number 10 jersey, so he should still be relatively fresh. Same goes for Ricky Januarie who's also had limited starts for the Boks this season.

Pierre Spies missed the world cup last year and made a subdued return to rugby in the Super 14. Since then though he's started in practically all the tests this year so far but I think he's still a long way off burnout. Juan Smith and Schalk Burger have been Trojans this season and are two more players who've got a lot of rugby under the belt. Bakkies Botha also had a long injury layoff during the latter half of the Tri-Nations and again in the Currie Cup and only just returned to the national side, while Victor Matfield got some rest during the Currie Cup.

Captain John Smit also spent quite some time along the sidelines after doing up a groin injury during the opening Tri-Nations test against New Zealand in Wellington. Jannie du Plessis has been in and out of the side and should be the freshest op them all while Beast Mtawarira will never admit to being tired.

So given the above information, it's almost silly that the Boks can blame fatigue for their below-par performances in the past fortnight. Poor execution, ill-discipline and not being able to adapt to a referee quickly enough is just a few of the reaso! ns, A vastly improved showing with lots of tries is necessary ! to pleas e our performance-driven rugby public.

Team v England

(Test caps in brackets)

1. Beast Mtawarira (9)
2. John Smit (capt) (80)
3. Jannie du Plessis (6)
4. Bakkies Botha (54)
5. Victor Matfield (79)
6. Schalk Burger (48)
7. Danie Rossouw (35)
8. Pierre Spies (18)
9. Ricky Januaries (33)
10. Ruan Pienaar (26)
11. Bryan Habana (45)
12. Jean de Villiers (45)
13. Adi Jacobs (20)
14. JP Pietersen (23)
15. Conrad Jantjes (23)

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (2)
17. Brian Mujati (11)
18. Andries Bekker (12)
19. Ryan Kankowski (6)
20. Heinrich Brussow (-)
21. Frans Steyn (26)
22. Jaque Fourie (35)

Ajax playing catch up

Ajax Cape Town have a chance to catch up with log leaders Supersport United this weekend. The Urban Warriors face Amazulu at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

The Cape side are level on 31 points with Pirates and Sundowns however they are sitting fourth on the log due to their goal difference.

A win for them on Saturday could take the team to within three points of Supersport. Ajax have also failed to find the net of late, they have only scored one goal in their five games.



Roslee says their goal drought is not a result of them not creating chances.

"We just haven't been able to get on to the end of things and when it doesn't go your way it just doesn't. Here we are creating chances and all we have to do is tuck them into the back of the net and its not going in, that's the reality. I think once we start scoring goals it will happen on a regular basis. "

However a victory may not be an easy one. It has been the games against Bloemfontein Celtic and Maritzburg United who are battling relegation where Ajax have not got a result.

Roslee says these teams are hungrier as there is more up for grabs.

"The bottom teams are figting and they have strengthened their squads and their seems to be a new found fight within everyone to make sure they stay up because they stakes are far higher than ever before."

Kick off for the game is at 18h00.

Big weekend ahead for SA Davis Cup team

South Africa's Davis Cup team has a big weekend ahead.

They will face Belarus in a Davis Cup tie at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto which begins on Friday.

The match has a lot resting on it, as a win could get South Africa a spot in the world group play offs in September.


The South African's are enjoying good form having recorded nine straight wins.

Rik de Voest will lead the home side and he says they are looking forward to playing at the new venue.

"To be playing here in Soweto where the Challenger took place earlier a few weeks ago is great. Most of the team where able to get comfortable with and it allowed us to make full use of the advantages available."

2009 Pre-Season Testing: Buemi still on top

Sebastien Buemi continued to top the time sheets at Jerez. The Swiss driver was over half a second clear of Takuma Sato in a Scuderia Toro Roso car. Both drivers were clear of STR incumbant, Sebastien Bourdais. who was 3rd. All 3 drivers were in STR cars and are fighting for 2 race seats within the team.

1.  Buemi         1:18.073 
2.  Sato          1:18.601  
3.  Bourdais      1:18.673  
4.  De la Rosa    1:19.032  
5.  Raikkonen     1:19.334  
6.  Kovalainen    1:19.631  
7.  Alonso        1:19.907 
8.  Rosberg       1:20.309 
9.  Heidfeld      1:20.365  
10. Massa         1:20.490  
11. Kubica        1:20.954

Rafa Benitez Reveals Perfectionist Steven Gerrard Is Never Happy

Rafa Benitez has offered a unique insight into the driven nature of his skipper Steven Gerrard, which he believes makes the midfielder one of the best in the world.

The Liverpool manager revealed that Gerrard, even after playing at the very top for the past decade, and is still desperate to learn and take his game to the next level, and analyses his performances in microscopic detail.

The England international is considered to be at the peak of his craft as he approaches his 30th birthday, and could be forgiven fo! r believing that he has nothing left to take on board.

But Benitez has illustrated the depth of passion, and incredible desire that his captain has, with an example of how he continually strives to add more dimensions to his play.

"Gerrard is a player who is always asking how he can improve, and that is a fundamental part of him - which is a huge benefit as a manager," Benitez explained.

"Even at the level he has reached, he knows that it's never over, he never stops wanting to learn. It is a part of his personality that he wants to work so hard."

Benitez is a perfectionist who always believes that there is a way to improve, and he admires the drive within his captain that makes him the same way.

And the Liverpool boss offered an example of that incredibly driven nature, which saw Gerrard this week making a round trip from London to ensure that he received the full data from his last performance before heading off on En! gland duty.

"Let me tell you something - he left th! is week with the English national side, but before heading off he picked up a DVD, prepared by the person in charge of match analysis at the club," Benitez explained.

"It's a DVD of his strong points and his weaknesses, of his qualities and his faults, so he can make use of these few days on international duty and watch it before playing with the national side.

"When he left the team base in London, he went straight to the Liverpool training ground to get the DVD before leaving because he was very interested in the idea of analysing his match and trying to correct his mistakes.

"Then he wanted to go over it with me. We actually spoke on the phone on Wednesday, because he was in a hurry for us to talk about what he saw on the DVD and how he could benefit from it. That shows you how the desire is a fundamental part of him."

Graeme Souness Launches Scathing Attack On Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez

Graeme Souness has launched a scathing attack on manager Rafael Benitez as Liverpool's season goes from bad to worse.

The Reds lost their fourth match in a row for the first time in 22 years after slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the Champions League.

And club legend Souness has no doubt that the fault lies with Benitez.

"It's no good turning round and saying there wasn't enough money in the summer. What about the previous years?" Souness said on Sky Sports.

"If you have been there for five years you have had the chance to build your own club. It's no good pointing to being without your best two players."

Souness hailed the Anfield faithful for their unwavering support, but insisted that his beloved club were over-reliant on stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"Out of the big clubs Liverpool is the best at home at a time like this. The supporters! are understanding. They give you a chance far more than any other club in this country.

"They are a footballing crowd, but without their top two men the team looked a very ordinary side.

"There was no spark. It just wasn't there. It was plod, plod, plod. Without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres there was no imagination.

"The criticism aimed at Rafa [Benitez] would be that he had signed 67 players and if you are missing two or three you don't look anything like a team that can win big games in the Champions League or the other Premier League contenders."

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool Don't Have To Win Trophies To Be A Success

Rafa Benitez has claimed success at Liverpool should not be measured in trophies.

The Merseysiders pride themselves as being the most successful club in England, with 18 titles and five European Cups.

But Benitez, who takes Liverpool into a week that could decide their Champions League fate after Saturday's shock 3-1 defeat at Fulham, said: "I don't agree when people say that you have to win trophies.

"I always say you have to be there, you have to be close, you have to create a group of players who can fight for trophies.

"We got 86 points last season, yet some people were saying that it wasn't good because we finished second.

"I think reducing the gap between the top team and Liverpool to four points was a massive achievement.

"Trophies mean a lot to everyone. But the most important thing is to see progression and evidence that you are improving and abl! e to fight for trophies.

"It's not just about one year. It is about what we can achieve in the future.

"People say that I have now been here five years. I say, look at the differences here now.

"Look at the value of the club before compared to the value of the club now.

"Look at the value of the squad before compared to the value of the squad now. You can see the progression."

Benitez's words will come as a surprise to followers of a club with an insatiable appetite for silverware.

As legendary Anfield boss Bob Paisley once famously said: "First is first and second is nowhere."

Spaniard Benitez won the Champions League in his first season at Anfield, but the Reds have not lifted a trophy since the FA Cup in 2006.

He was given assurances about his future last week by managing director Christian Purslow.

Hours later Liverpool resurrected their Premier League challenge by beating! Manchester United 2-0.

But they travel to Lyon in ! the Cham pions League on Wednesday night with their hopes of progression hanging by a thread following the French club's 2-1 win at Anfield and a defeat at Fiorentina.

Benitez believes he will still have the backing of Purslow and the club's two American owners, even if Liverpool suffer an early exit from Europe's premier competition.

But he is aware that such a scenario would have serious consequences when it comes to his New Year transfer budget.

Benitez said: "Christian Purslow made it very clear that when I signed a new contract for five years it was so that I would be at this club for a very long time.

"Now I can control the Academy, I can control the young players we produce and build something very good for the future.

"We have analysed the squad together, looking at plans for January and also next season.

"My belief is that we will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but of course, you have! to have plans based on whether you have more money or less money available.

"The more money you have, the easier it is.

"If you have less money then you have to manage in a different way and find other solutions to improve."

Sexy Bollywood Girls Actress

Urmila Matondkar the chamma girl made her fans go crazy with her sexy number in 'China Gate', and is now set to be the new 'Mehbooba' of Bollywood.

Mallika Sherawat Mehbooba Mehbooba' is Mallika's claim to fame. She turned the most expensive item girl with the movie, as she charged Rs.1.5 score for her appearance.

Kareena Kapoor. She took over role of the seductress Kamini, played by Helen in the sensuous number 'Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana'.

Sexy Golden Yellow Hair

This beautiful girl looks pretty, because her legs sexy, nice and golden yellow hair. Really really stunning girl

Welland this weekend

From CMRC Racing

WELLAND, ON -- The Welland County Motorcycle Club (WCMC) will host round 7 of the CMRC Canadian National Dirt Track Series Saturday.

This great event will also be a fund raiser for the Special Olympics. The Welland County Motorcycle Club / Niagara Motorcycle Raceway will donate $2 from each adult admission to the Special Olympics Committee. The Special Olympics Committee will also be conducting a ½ & ½ draw, raffles for prizes and other fundraisers at the races. The funds raised will be used to send Niagara area Special Olympians to future Special Olympics throughout North America.

The club asks that the riders support this fundraiser by making themselves available in the grandstands area between races to sign autographs. To this end, please bring photos to sign and hand out. There is no fixed schedule for the signing, whenever you have time between your races.

The 23-acre! property is located near the south-east corner of Welland, an easy 15 to 20 minutes ride from Niagara Falls, and the border at Buffalo.

The Club grounds feature a large, 4000 sq. ft. clubhouse, a covered pavilion, washrooms and showers (hot and cold running water), a large camping area and a fast 1/4 mile oval dirt race track. The property is completely fenced, providing ample security.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

e commerce sollution

e commerce sollution

HBO will feature Bengals on Hard Knocks

There are numerous reports confirming leaked information that the Cincinnati Bengals will be the feature of the HBO series Hard Knocks. For those of you who have not seen the show Hard Knocks follows NFL teams during training camp. They typically choose a handful of players to spotlight which normally includes some veterans, draft picks, and free agents trying to make it. The Bengals would be a very intriguing team to follow with personalities such as Chad Johnson and stories like Andre Smith, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry. This will be a great season to watch.

Others See It Too

An AP article up on ESPN.com proves that we are not the only ones appalled by what we have always known, and Hard Knocks has confirmed. Mike Brown calls the shots, and is why the Bengals will probably never fully succeed. To me, it's outrageous that someone with so little basic football knowledge can run a professional football team. Unfortunately for us, there are no signs of this changing, and after Mike Brown goes, things seem to be downhill from there.
Click Here

Can you split your allegiance?

I am going to make a confession. I am a Kentucky Wildcats fan, a strong Kentucky basketball fan and have been my entire life. Why did I become a Kentucky fan? Really just a product of my environment, I didn't go there it is not my alma mater. When I was a kid I grew up idolizing Kentucky. My uncles, who introduced my brother and I to sports, were huge Kentucky fans and that just rubbed off on me. With that being said I have always been a Kentucky Basketball fan, but not necessarily a Kentucky Football fan. Football at Kentucky was just different. Not the same allure as the basketball program.
So recently there has been a shift in my thinking and I wonder if is acceptable in the realm of sports. Recently I have become a fan of Cincinnati football. Why do you ask? Mainly because they have been winning. So yes, I am a bandwagon Cincinnati football fan. I typically cannot be called a bandwagon fan (I am also a Bengals and Reds fan) But with Brian Kelly and the recent succe! ss of the Bearcats program I have become very excited to watch them. I tried to fight the feelings at first, feeling as if I have betrayed the Big Blue Nation. But I am tired of fighting it. And I think it can work for me.
Why can't I be a Cincinnati Bearcats football fan and a Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan? Like I said before, I hold no special ties to either program. I will always be a Northern Kentucky Norseman first. What do you guys think? It took a lot for me to admit in a public setting that I have become a Bearcats football fan. I still HATE the basketball program with an extreme passion. And I don't think that my passion for Kentucky Basketball will ever match Cincinnati Football. I don't have that same die-hard mentality as I do for Kentucky. But I think I can pull it off, I think I can logically be a fan of both. So lets go Bearcats (football only!)

NBA Mid-Summer Report: Central Division

This is part 2 of my 6 segment exposé on the NBA in the summer months. Without further ado, I give you the Eastern Conference's Central Divison…

Chicago Bulls

Starters:
Derrick Rose
Kirk Hinrich
Luol Deng
Drew Gooden
Joakim Noah

Bench:
Ben Gordon*
Tyrus Thomas
Larry Hughes
Andres Nocioni
Aaron Gray
Thabo Sefolosha
Cedric Simmons

Out of town:
Chris Duhon

Ben Gordon is still a restricted free agent. The Bulls brought back Deng, but even if they don't bring back Gordon, look at all those guards! Duhon goes to the Knicks and it'll be interesting to see what they do with Ben Gordon, who was the team's leading scorer last season. The past 2 seasons th! e Bulls flipped flopped wins and losses. After going 49-33 in 06-07, they were picked to be one of the best teams in the East, and went a disappointing 33-49 missing out on the playoffs. They got rid of what was left of Ben Wallace (horrible pick up to begin with), but they still have a lot of problems. Is Hinrich going to be a 2 guard? Front office has made some bad moves, and they were bailed out by getting the #1 pick. Look for some kind of trade to bring in a big man in place of some of these guards. Names like Brad Miller and Kenyon Martin have been talked about.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Starters:
Delonte West*
Wally Szczerbiak
LeBron James
Ben Wallace
Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Bench:
Daniel Gibson
Joe Smith
Ande! rson Varejao
Sasha Pavlovic
J.J. Hickson
Da! rnell Ja ckson

Out of town:
None: Devin Brown and Dwayne Jones = unrestricted

Looks like more of the same for LeBron and the Cavs. I didn't like the move they made last year to bring in all those guys. Didn't help them last year and in don't think it will this year. Delonte is a free agent, and apparently he wants a 5 year deal, the Cavs have offered 4. I think he eventually comes back and plays for them next season regardless. Once again how far can LeBron carry them. He's gone as far as the NBA Finals, but even then the "supporting" cast was better. Perhaps the young rookie out of N.C. State, J.J. Hickson can provide a little life into this squad.


Detroit Pistons

Starters:
Chauncey Billups
Richa! rd Hamilton
Tayshaun Prince
Rasheed Wallace
Antonio McDyess

Bench:
Rodney Stucky
Jason Maxiell
Amir Johnson
Aaron Afflalo
Trent Plaisted

Out of town:
Jarvis Hayes
Lindsey Hunter, Theo Ratliff, Juan Dixon, Walter Hermann = unrestricted
Flip Saunders

Rumors were flying around about a complete shake up of the Pistons. Billups and Sheed to the Warriors for Baron Davis. Well that clearly isn't going to happen now, but Detroit feels as though they need to do something else. 6 straight years to the Eastern Conference Finals is great, but one 2 trips to the NBA Finals, with 1 Championship. They're one of the Top 5 teams in the NBA every year, but they want to be the best. The starters continue to get older, but they've drafted well of late (post Darko), and have brought in some productive players. Flip Saunders it out, it's now Michael Curry's job. This team can coach itself to the play! offs, with the question being, how far can they go?

Indiana Pacers

Starters:
T.J. Ford
Mike Dunleavy
Danny Granger
Troy Murphy
Jeff Foster

Bench:
Brandon Rush
Jamaal Tinsley
Marquis Daniels
Shawne Williams
Travis Diener

Out of town:
Jermaine O'Neal
Kareem Rush

Did you know that Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy combined for 38.7 points per game last season? Probably not. The Pacers are never on TV and no one talks about them. With Jermaine O'Neal gone to Toronto they don't have anyone people have heard of. They have a grand total of 0 All-Star appearances on their roster. With that said, they could surprise some people this year. In the East, Indiana could even find themselves in the playoffs. Not sure if they! 'll leave Tinsley on the team as a back up, but their starting 5 is sneaky good and I loved the pick of Brandon Rush. He won't, however, play along side his brother Kareem who went to Philly.

Milwaukee Bucks

Starters:
Mo Williams
Michael Redd
Richard Jefferson
Charlie Villanueva
Andrew Bogut

Bench:
Tyronn Lue
Desmond Mason
Joe Alexander
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Ramon Sessions
Charlie Bell

Out of town:
Yi Jianlian
Bobby Simmons

I love the move to pick up Richard Jefferson. He may not love leaving New York City for Milwaukee, but on the court it could be what he needs. He is no longer playing with Kidd and more importantly Vince Carter. Reports ! were that Jefferson would obsess over making the All-Star team! and jus t try to pad his stats on the offensive end. RJ would try to be better than Vince rather than making his team better. The Bucks now have one of the best scoring wings combos in the league with Jefferson and Redd. It's not Ray Allen and Pierce, but it's still good. Milwaukee also drafted Joe Alexander and signed Tyronn Lue in the off season. All of that makes sense to me. But giving Bogut (career 11.9 pts, 8.5 rebs per game) $76 million. I don't get it. Two steps forward, one step back. In the end I think the Central Division could be competitive this year.

Next: Southeast Division

-Keefe

Game 7 Strategy

Alright, after watching every second of the Celtics/ Bulls series I have come up with the following strategy that will guarentee the C's move on to face Orlando. It's only 1 simple thing. Yes it's important to defend Derrick Rose, not allow Joakim Noah to get offensive rebounds which turn into offensive celebrations, keep Perkins out of foul trouble, try to get anything and I mean anything out of the Celtics bench, and tire out Ben Gordon by making him chase Ray Allen for 48 minutes. All those things pale in comparison to my 1 very important key.

DON'T PLAY TONY ALLEN. EVER. FOR ANY REASON.

How can this be done? Well, Kevin Garnett needs to do something on the sidelines, besides drop F and MF Bombs when the camera is on, which I do love by the way. But KG is so talented that he should not be limited to that. Why not put him on Tony Allen watch. If Doc Rivers says, "Tony, get in there." KG can't allow it. Maybe something along the line! s of the picture below will help illustrate how he can do that.

Hold on tight KG! Don't let Allen, Tony in the Game!

I don't care if Rondo, Ray, Pierce, Baby, Perk, Marbury, and House foul out. It could be Scal, Walker, Pruitt, and Moore out there, and I'd pray Doc Rivers turns into Norman Dale and says, "My team is on the floor."

I am nervous for Game 7, and even more nervous that Tony Allen may decide whether we're watching any more Celtics games this season.

-Keefe

Let's hear it for Brazil!

The 2016 Summer Olympics, Pele, the Brazilian Women's soccer team, so why not add 2 of the very best in the world of mixed martial arts. Saturday night in Los Angeles the undefeated Lyoto Machida put his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship belt on the line against the 18-3 and fo! rmer Pride Grand Prix Champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. I was going to bet on Shogun and his +375 line, however I am at odds with my previously bet taking website, so decided to not wager on the fight.

I am glad that I didn't, because I would have lost my mind, in addition to $25-$50 bucks. (I'm not going to bet the house on an underdog, no matter how good the feeling, just can't do it.) Shogun lost the fight to Machida by unanimous decision 48-47 on all the judges scorecards.

I felt that Shogun definitely won 2 rounds,! Machi! da definitely won 1 run with 2 being toss ups, apparently those 2 went to the defending champ. It looks as though we could see an automatic rematch between these two Brazilian fighters, and that makes sense on a bunch of levels. Rampage Jackson appears to still be retired (the next best 205 pound fighter in the world), and middleweight champ Anderson Silva, who embarrassed former champ Forrest Griffin has said he would not fight his friend and training partner Machida.

Who else is deserving of a shot? Rashad Evans? Not right now he's not. Wanderlei Silva? Nope. Keith Jardine? No thanks, and on down the line. Because it was such! a close decision, I love the idea of Machida vs. Shogun II.

In addition to Brazil, let's hear it for Tristan Besse who went 9-2 on his UFC 104 picks including a perfect 5-0 on the main card. Certainly better than BJal's Lock du Jour and Keefe's Pick 3.

-Keefe

*Keefe's 2009-2010 NBA Preview Coming Soon...

Valencia 2-2 Atletico Madrid

Maxi Rodriguez gave beleaguered Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino something to cheer with a late equaliser against Valencia.

Resino faced calls for his dismissal during Wednesday's home draw with Almeria, which left Los Rojiblancos second from bottom of the Primera Division table.

And although they are still looking for their first victory of the campaign, Maxi's injury-time strike gave them a welcome point they must have thought had slipped away.

The visito! rs had taken an early lead through Sergio Aguero but two goals in three minutes from Pablo Hernandez and the prolific David Villa midway through the first half turned the game on its head.

Villa twice came close to putting the game beyond Atletico but they dug deep and got their reward with their first away point of the campaign.

The pressure to perform must have been weighing on all the Atletico players but they made the ideal start as Aguero fired them in front after only seven minutes.

Diego Forlan fed the striker and and he finished confidently from the middle of the penalty box.

Valencia, who were also in need of a win after losing 3-1 against Getafe last time out, attempted to hit back straight away, with David Silva firing over the bar, while at the other end Forlan came close to making it 2-0.

Juan Mata looked certain to draw the hosts level in the 16th minute as he connected with Carlos Marchena's cross but Roberto Jimenez managed! to block the shot with his feet.

Villa then uncharacte! ristical ly missed the target from close range after being set up by David Silva.

While Valencia were having the better of the chances, Atletico were still a danger and Aguero dragged his shot wide of the post.

The hosts made their pressure pay in the 25th minute, though, Pablo converting Ever Banega's cross.

And a shellshocked Atletico found themselves behind two minutes later as this time Villa made no mistake from David Silva's pinpoint pass to make it six goals in five matches.

The visitors were forced into a substitution before half-time, with Juanito replacing the injured Juan Valera.

Villa nearly grabbed his second of the game eight minutes into the second half but Jimenez produced a diving save to push his close-range shot round the post.

Having started the game so brightly, Atletico were now struggling to threaten Miguel Moya's goal.

Indeed, they needed Jimenez to be at his best again in the 73rd minute with a near identical s! ave to keep out the dangerous Villa.

Forlan had a glimpse of goal moments later but could only drag a weak shot wide while substitute Maxi also missed the target with an effort from the edge of the box.

And just when it looked like they had resigned themselves to another defeat, the Argentinian popped up with a crucial leveller, turning in Jose Manuel Jurado's cross from close range.

This time it was Valencia who were shellshocked but there was no time for the hosts to respond and they were forced to settle for a point.

Belgian Jupiler League Fri Review

Excelsior Mouscron failed to lift themselves out of the bottom two in the Jupiler League as they battled out a 1-1 draw with Gent.

Maxime Lestienne had fired Mouscron ahead two minutes before the interval, but Randall Azofeifa levelled the scores at the start of the second half.

Gent sit sixth after the draw, with Mouscron four points off Roeselare at the foot of the table.

Bundesliga Sunday Review

Wolfsburg survived a late rally by Borussia Monchengladbach while Borussia Dortmund came out winners in the Ruhr derby.

Wolfsburg survived a late rally by Borussia Monchengladbach to keep on the coat-tails of the Bundesliga's early pace-setters.

Alexander Madlung scored the opening goal in first-half injury time for the reigning champions and Christian Gentner made it 2-0 two minutes into second-half injury time. American midfielder Michael Bradley pulled a goal ba! ck for the visitors a minute later but the Wolves hung on.

The victory gives Armin Veh's side 16 points and leaves them fifth in the table, five points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.

Monchengladbach remain second from bottom with seven points after losing their fifth straight game and sixth of the last seven contests.

Borussia Dortmund jumped two places with a 2-0 victory in the Ruhr derby over Bochum.

Lucas Barrios and Neven Subotic scored the goals for Jurgen Klopp's side as they inflicted a first defeat on Bochum's caretaker coach Frank Heinemann.

Diego Klimowicz hit the post for Bochum but they were outplayed by their hosts.

Youzhny in Kremlin Cup final

Mikhail Youzhny will meet Janko Tipsarevic in the final of the Kremlin Cup after an easy victory in the semi-finals.

Third seed Mikhail Youzhny will meet Janko Tipsarevic in the final of the Kremlin Cup after the pair enjoyed straightforward victories in their respective semi-finals in Moscow.

Youzhny, the world number 30, took less than an hour and 10 minutes to inflict a 6-2 6-1 defeat on qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin.

The 27-year-old was far too powerful fo! r his opponent from Kazakhstan, serving six aces to ensure his best-ever finish at the event having reached the semis five years ago.

Sixth seed Tipsarevic had a similarly trouble-free semi-final, beating qualifier Illya Marchenko 6-1 6-4 in one and a half hours.

In the women's draw Francesca Schiavone will be favourite to lift the title after moving into the final where she will meet Olga Govortsova.

Schiavone, the eighth seed, played a mixed game but prevailed 6-4 6-0 against Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine.

Govortsova, the world number 67, beat Alisa Kleybanova 6-2 6-1 as her opponent's serve abandoned her.

In the women's doubles final, third seeds Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko took less than an hour to clinch the title with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Maria Kondratieva and Klara Zakopalova.

London 2012: Christine Ohuruogu focused on recovering from slump

Christine Ohuruogu shares the same agent as Usain Bolt and, with the clock ticking on her attempt to defend her Olympic 400 metres title in the teeth of East London expectation, she could use some gentle advice from the great man on how to bolster her self-belief.

While her position as Great Britain's most successful track and field athlete of the past four years is unchallenged, 2009 has been a singularly challenging season for the Newham girl.

At the World Championships in Berlin she lost her 400m title relatively tamely, t! railing in a distant fifth behind her arch nemesis, the American Sanya Richards. Not once this season has she broken 50 seconds for the event, a far cry from her world-beating pomp.

Ohuruogu blames the slump in form on a persistent hamstring injury. Speaking from New York, where she is spending a post-season break, she admitted: "It is in the nature of the sport that things do not go exactly as you had planned. But I have been injured, and I just have to accept that."

What will be far harder to accept is if the injury problems return to disrupt her preparations for 2012, where she intends to reward the faith of her home support with a crowning Olympic glory in the stadium that lies just a 10-minute walk from her home.

It is not as if she can feign ignorance of the 1,000-day landmark. In the middle of Stratford's gyratory system there is a clock ticking down to the day the Olympic torch is lit. Ad! idas, one of Ohuruogu's sponsors, have given her a T-shirt,! emblazo ned with an Olympic icon, to mark the countdown.

As an East End girl, and Olympic champion, are the marketing demands upon her in danger of becoming intolerable? "Not really. It is all about making sensible decisions. I have obligations to help this sport, and to support sport in general."

Ohuruogu does not give the impression of regarding the hysteria around her Olympics build-up too seriously. The day that the Games were awarded to London, she sidestepped the celebrations in Trafalgar Square because of a training session.

But the Olympics have always been a defining strand in her narrative. Athens 2004 signalled her transition from promising netball player to stellar athlete, when she carved a second off her 400m lifetime best in trials.

At least one missing link from her Athens and Beijing performances stands to be rectified in London: her parents, Johnson and Patience, will both be in the stadium.

!

But asked if she is enjoying this brief phase in her life where she is dare one, whisper it, off the radar, she is defensive. "I do not do what I do because of the expectations of others."

Her rivals have been warned.

Result of EURO 2008 Semifinals

June 25th

At St. Jakob Park

Germany 3 : 2 Turkey ( Schwiensteiger 26', Klose 79', Lahm 90' - Boral 22', Senturk 86')

Referee: Massimo Busacca - Switzerland

Spectators: 39,374

Statistics:

Shot on target: 3 - 10

Shot off targe : 4 - 9

Possession : 46 - 54 %

Corner Kicks : 2 - 8

Off-Side: 0 - 1

Fouls: 14 - 16

Yellow Cards : 0 - 1

Red Card :0-0

Notizie dall'infermeria

di Dario Rosella
Fonte: sportmediaset.it

"Il menisco è rotto, devo operarmi. Vado avanti finché posso. Spero di arrivare alla partita con l'Inter". E' un Gigi Buffon decisamente preoccupato per le condizioni del suo ginocchio sinistro, quello che parla sul volo che riporta la Nazionale italiana a casa dopo il pari di Dublino. Gli azzurri si spostano ora in pullman a Coverciano, dove ritroveranno anche il capitano Cannavaro.

MARCHISIO OPERATO AL MENISCOClaudio Marchisio è stato operato al menisco esterno del ginocchio destro. Nella mattinata di ieri il centrocampista bianconero si è recato nella clinica Fornaca di Sessant dove si è sottoposto all'intervento. L'operazione, eseguita dal professor Flavio Quaglia, è perfettamente riuscita. La prognosi per la completa ripresa dell'attività agonistica - secondo quanto riportato dal sito ufficiale della società bianconera - è di 40 giorni.

SI RIVEDE DEL PIERO
Continua la preparazione della Juventus in vista del ritorno in campo, il prossimo 17 ottobre, contro la Fiorentina. Dopo le sedute pomeridiane svolte nei giorni scorsi, la squadra ha cambiato programma e ha svolto un allenamento mattutino venerdì a Vinovo. Dopo due giorni di permesso concessi dalla società, si è rivisto anche Alessandro Del Piero. Il capitano ha proseguito le sue cure dopo l'infortunio patito giovedì scorso. Gruppo ancora a ranghi rido! tti vista l'assenza dei tanti nazionali che scenderanno in cam! po per l e gare di qualificazione per i prossimi Mondiali e per gli Europei Under 21. I bianconeri a disposizione, a cui si sono aggiunti alcuni ragazzi della Berretti, hanno lavorato agli ordini di Ciro Ferrara e il suo staff e sotto gli occhi di Jean Claude Blanc e Alessio Secco, presenti allo Juventus Center. Sabato è in programma un'altra seduta di allenamento mattutina.

Presentato il nuovo ds Salerno

di Filippo Capurso
Fonte: salernitana1919.it

Il presidente Antonio Lombardi ha presentato agli organi di stampa, questo pomeriggio, il nuovo direttore sportivo Nicola Salerno. "La classifica - ha spiegato il massimo dirigente - va assolutamente recuperata, migliorata. Ci tengo troppo alla Salernitana ed alla Serie B così faticosamente conquistata e poi mantenuta per non realizzare ogni tentativo. Tra infortuni e squalifiche quest'anno mai, gli allenatori che si sono succeduti, hanno potuto schierare la medesima formazione per due giornate consecutive. Abbi! amo scelto Salerno perchè è persona dal grande spessore nel mondo del calcio. Gli chiediamo di guidarci alla salvezza in questo campionato". Nicola Salerno ha detto: "Ho negli occhi le immagini della Salernitana degli anni '80 e '90, nonostante i tanti campionati di serie C era una miscela indissolubile tra calciatori guerrieri e pubblico entusiasmante. La piazza di Salerno mi ha sempre affascinato, quando il presidente Lombardi mi ha chiamato ho accettato senza tentennamenti". Sulla squadra: "Vanno capiti i motivi che ancorano la Salernitana sul fondo ma ci sono le due componenti più importanti: il tempo per recuperare e la volontà della società di raggiungere l'obiettivo. La serie B non è quella di una volta con grossa qualità individuali e complessive, poi siamo ad ottobre e mollare ora sarebbe delittuoso. Iniziamo allora a fare punti da Lecce laddove, per tutti, anche un pareggio sarebbe davvero tanta cosa". Ha poi chuso: "L'Arechi deve ritornare ad essere il nostro for! tino. Mi rifiuto di pensare che la tifoseria non sia dalla par! te della squadra. Se dimostriamo loro un minimo di attaccamento torneranno al nostro fianco. Sono fondamentali per il raggiungimento dell'obiettivo comune".

Campilongo: "Sarà un Empoli diverso"

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: tuttomantova

Ecco alcune dichiarazioni rilasciate da mister Campilongo in vista del match di sabato al Martelli: "Sarà un Empoli diverso di sicuro, sia nello spirito che nel gioco - prosegue Salvatore Campilongo - Già da qualche giorno stiamo lavorando su un'impostazione tattica più aggressiva tornando a quel 4-4-2 offensivo al quale ci stiamo preparando da luglio e che poi siamo stati costretti ad abbandonare per vari motivi. Per fortuna abbiamo usufruito di un paio di settimane senza! il calcio da 3 punti, per cui è stato più facile lavorare sul sistema di gioco che preferisco. Finora fuori casa non abbiamo mai fatto male a nessuno e, se non facciamo dei gol, sarà difficile portar via punti".

Amichevole: Udinese-Tamai 2-0

di Ezio Resta
Fonte: gazzetta.it

E' finita 2-0 l'amichevole in cui l'Udinese ha superato il Tamai, seconda forza del campionato di serie D. Le reti sono state messe entrambe a segno dallo spagnolo Romero a cavallo tra il 12' e il 14' della ripresa. Marino, ancora senza i nazionali (i soli Pepe, D'Agostino e Handanovic si sono presentati per un lavoro di scarico sul Bruseschi) non ha potuto sperimentare in chiave formazione in vista dell'Atalanta. Tuttavia il tecnico ha avuto buone risposte da Corradi che sostituirà lo squalificato Floro Flores. L'ex bomber d! ella Reggina ha colpito il palo sfiorando il gol in altre due circostanze, ma soprattutto ha confermato i progressi sul piano del rendimento atletico, facendosi trovare come punto di riferimento mobile e avanzato dai compagni. Bene anche Pasquale (in crescendo) e lo spagnolo Romero, vero e proprio furetto sulla fascia sinistra. Si è visto anche Asamoah nel corso del primo tempo, mentre Isla ha proseguito nel lavoro differenziato sulla reattività, segno che il mediano cileno è ancora in ritardo e quindi non sarà disponibile contro l'Atalanta.

Chievo-Bari 1-2

Di Tiziana Garofalo
fonte: realsports

Chievo-Bari: 1-2

Chievo: Sorrentino, Morero (34' st Ariatti), Yepes, Mantovani, Pinzi, Marcolini, Luciano, Granoche (19' st Bogdani), Iori (25' st Bentivoglio), Frey, Pellissier. A disp: Squizzy, Mandelli, Bentivoglio, Ariatti, Sardo, Abbruscato, Bogdani. All. Di Carlo

Bari: Gillet, A. Masiello, Bonucci, Ranocchia, S. Masiello, Alvarez, Donati, Almiron (25' st De Vezze), Allegretti (10' st Langella), Barreto (19' ST Kutuzov), Meggiorini. A disp: Padelli, Diamoutene, Antonelli, De Vezze, Kutuzov, Langella, Stellini.All. Ventura.

Arbitro: Candussio. Bagnoli/Angrisani

ammoniti: 16 pt Barreto, 26' st Langella, 27' st Morero, 39' st Bogdani, Pellissier

Reti: 2' pt Almiron, 21' st Ranocchia, 36' st Bogdani

note: 1' pt di recupero

Chievo – E' un Bari da trasferta. A questo punto non ci sono dubbi. Se, infatti, in casa la squadr! a di Ventura stenta andando avanti a suon di pareggi, fuori riesce a mettere in campo sempre quella giusta personalità che unisce LA bella prestazione a punti importanti. E cosi' dopo cinque giornate, Gillet e compagni fermano il ritmo del Chievo che deve così stoppare la propria striscia di risultati. Al Bentegodi termina 1-2 per il Bari. E' un Bari incerottato quello che è arrivato al Bentegodi privo di Rivas e con Barreto, si in campo sin dal primo minuto ma con la febbre. Di Carlo invece deve fare a meno di Rigoni e sceglie di mandare Bogdani in panchina con coppia d'attacco affidata a Granochè-Pellissier.
Al 2' minuto, punizione in favore del Bari, Salvatore Masiello va a pescare la testa di Almiron, che non sbaglia sorprendendo Sorrentino che può solo raccogliere la palla dal fondo della propria porta per lo 0-1 del Bari. Gioia incontenibile per Almiron alla sua prima partita da titolare e dunque al suo primo go,l stagionale. Al 6' la reazione del Chievo con ! Mantovani che scende sulla fascia in cerca di un colpo di test! a di Gra noche che però si perde sul fondo. Al 12esimo, Meggiorini prova un tiro a pallonetto ma Sorrentino è ben piazzato e fa sua la palla. Un minuto dopo bella combinazione tra Pellissier e Granocvhe con quest'ultimo che di prima tira ma Gillet para. Al 15, il Chievo recrimina per un fallo di mano di Bonucci ma per l'arbitro è tutto regolare. Al 16' punzione per il Chievo, sulla palla Pellissier, ma il suo tiro finisce dritto sulla barriera. Al 22' ancora una bella combinazione gialloblù tra Pellissier e Marcolini il cui tiro però è troppo debole e dunque la presa di Gillet è facile. Al 27' esimo si rivede il Chievo in avanti con un colpo di testa di Granochè alto sulla traversa. La vera occasione del pareggio è al 38' con Granochè che gira in area un cross pericoloso dalla sinistra deviato però in tempo dai difensori del Bari. Alla mezz'ora sempre Chievo, con un tiro da dimenticare però partito dai piedi di Pellissier. Al 33' azione del bari: Barreto per Alvarez che supera bene ! un difensore e la mette al centro odve però ad arrivare per prima èp una maglia giaslloblù, un minuto dopo è ancora Meggiorini che di testa ci prova ma senza nessun risultato.
Nella ripresa nessun cambio per le due squadre. Al 6' cross di Luciano per la testa di Pellissier che però è anticpato al momento del colpo. Al 13esimo, il Chievo si ribella, per un paio di colpi di mano dei giocatori del Bari in area di rigore ma per Candussio è tutto regolare. I tifosi non ci stanno, e si scatenano contro Collina presente al Bentegodi. Di Carlo in panchina allarga le braccia... Al 15esimo, miracolo di Gillet cghe con una mano smanaccia un colpo di testa di Pellissier a colpo sicuro. L'episodio dubbio è al 18esimo quando Pinzi cade in area di rigore ma per Candussio l'intervento è regolare. Il gol del raddoppio per il bari porta la firma di Ranocchia lesto nel svettare di testa su un cross del neo entrato Kutuzov, dalla destra e battere Sorrentino. Al 36' gol del Chievo, con un ! colpo di testa nell'area piccola di Bogdani punisce Gillet e r! iapre la gara con un Bentegodi davvero impazzito di gioia. Al 41esimo Meggiorini si mangia una ghiottissima occasione da rete nell'incredulità generale.

Il Sardegna - Il tiro sconosciuto

#058 Minuto x Minuto e SuperSintesi

Radio Rai non ha trasmesso in questo fine settimana la sintesi dei goal della Serie A e quindi non possiamo mandare in onda tutti i goal: la SuperSintesi quindi questa settimana va in onda in forma ridotta con i soli goal della Serie B.

Per farmi perdonare anticipo la rubrica del Canale You Tube di Minuto x Minuto, con la sintesi del Derby Inter-Milan con radiocronaca di Francesco Repice.

#151 Convocazioni del 21 Aprile

Tutto il Calcio Serie B (Martedì 21/04 ore 20.45)
Conduce: Filippo Corsini

A Vicenza - Triestina Anticipo non coperto

CP Ancona - Bari Francesco Repice
2 Parma - Ascoli Giuseppe Bisantis
3 Treviso - Livorno Massimo Zennaro
4 Grosseto - Empoli Enzo Baldini
5 Brescia - Avellino Ugo Russo
6 Sassuolo - Piacenza Giovanni Scaramuzzino
7 Albinoleffe - Cittadella Tonino Raffa
S Frosinone - Modena Aggiornamenti da studio
S Pisa - Mantova Aggiorna! menti da studio
S Rimini - Salernitana Aggiornamenti da studio

Negli studi di Tutto il Calcio

Spettacolare pubblicazione di MinutoxMinuto.
Un'intervista ad Alfredo Provenzali

Tutto il calcio n°7

Tutto il Calcio Serie A
Giornata 3
(Domenica 13/09 ore 15.00)
Conduce: Alfredo Provenzali
In studio: Filippo Corsini

1 Inter - Milan Riccardo Cucchi
2 Siena - Roma Antonello Orlando
3 Atalanta - Sampdoria Ugo Russo
4 Fiorentina - Cagliari Giuseppe Bisantis
5 Palermo - Bari Roberto Gueli
6 Bologna - Chievo Vr. Giovanni Scaramuzzino
7 Udinese - Catania Tonino Raffa

Collegamenti con Monza per il Gp d'Italia di F1, interventi di Giulio Delfino

Anticipi:
Livorno - Milan
Radiocronista: Giuseppe Bisantis
Seconda voce: Enzo Baldini

Lazio - Juventus
Radiocronista: Francesco Repice
Seconda voce: Massimo Barchiesi

Posticipo:
Genoa - Napoli
Radiocronista: Emanuele Dotto
Seconda voce: Tarcisio Mazzeo

Toto-Cronista Evento 9

Eccoci qui a rivedere i risultati dell' ultimo turno del Toto - Cronista.
Coppie in vetta in ambo le classifiche.
La giornata è vinta dalla new-entry Davide S. e da RaiBobo con punti 36.
Nella generale RaiBobo affianca Emanuele in testa.
Ecco le classifiche

Classifica di giornata
1 Davide S. 36
2 RaiBobo 36
3 Emanuele Borsatto 34
4 Minuto x Minuto 32
5 Stefano Stradotto 30
6 Il Micidiale 2 30
7 Francesco Del Giudice 28
8 Lele Pinto 28
9 Andrea P. 22
10 Eva Lenti 0

Classifica Generale
1 Emanuele Borsatto 82
2 RaiBobo 82
3 Francesco Del Giudice 50
4 Minuto x Minuto 47
5 Il Micidiale 2 47
6 Stefano 45
7 Lele Pinto 42
8 Eva Lenti 42
9 Andrea P. 41
10 Davide S. 17

Appuntamento a domenica a causa del successivo! turno infrasettimanale!

Scopri l'errore

IL GIORNO DEI GIORNI segna 5 GOL e gioca contro
AMICI MIEI F.C. che segna 2 gol;
ARMATA LELLOSKA segna 1 gol che gioca contro
I LOVE GIORGIA segna 1 gol (con Giuly che l'influsso di Cu-Lello manda in tribuna)

PUNTI CONQUISTATI IN CLASSIFICA QUESTA GIORNATA :
ARMATA LELLOSKA 3 PUNTI
AMICI MIEI 1 PUNTO
IL GIORNO DEI GIORNI 1 PUNTO

SCOPRITE L'ERRORE.

FANTA-BAR!

Vorrei lanciare una nuova iniziativa: il Fanta-BAR!

Il lunedi/Martedi inseriamo un POST e chiacchieriamo della giornata e ci sfottiamo. Smile :)
...e in più ci lamentiamo, ci appiccichiamo sui regolamenti, etc etc.

De Vallonis: "Onore agli avversari...è stata una grande partita"

Otto gol reali, uno in panchina come prima entrata, nessun gol subito dai portieri, 3 ammonizioni ed un'espulsione, quella tra A&J e I Love Giorgia è stata una grande partita!
Il commento del presidente De Vallonis loda gli avversari: "Hanno giocato molto bene, nonostante le inquietanti vicende di alcolismo che riguardano il Presidente Campos. Meritavano forse anche il pareggio, ma il punteggio è chiaro 80,5 contro 73,5...la nostra vittoria è la vittoria del collettivo, di una grande società che sta ritornando nel fantacalcio che conta".
"Siamo stati più forti delle avversita' ovvero un autogol (il passaggio di Succi a portiere battutto per il gol di Simplicio), di una semi macchietta (il fallo da rigore di Jankuloski su Del Piero e il relativo gol del capitano) e di un errore di valutazione (Bellucci in panchina), nonostante ciò abbiamo vinto bene e dimostrando che possiamo essere tra le prime della classe".

Zeru Tituli...34 polpettoni...1 bottiglia di vino...

...Il vecchio Zero Tituli ne fa 34...di punti lo scorso anno per retrocedere...ed oggi di anni per invecchiare sempre di più...Auguri TommyTrap!!!

Cyberpolice to track 2010 World Cup ticket fraudsters

A crack team of cyberpolice from New Scotland Yard is hunting down ticket fraudsters intent on ripping fans off.

According to The Times the London-based e-Crime Unit may have already "helped to save tens of thousands of football fans from being duped into buying bogus tickets for the 2010 World Cup finals."

The unit has apparently tracked down and closed more than 100 sites, with as many as 20 based in Britain.

England fans have already bought approximately 43,000 tickets and demand is expected to be high when the next batches go on sale.

Some of these buyers may well be fraudsters, which is where New Scotland Yard comes in.

"Once they have tracked a site, the e-Crime Unit alerts police and authorities in other countries to go after the fraudsters by having the sites shut down."

Unfortunately, some of these sites may go unnoticed.! So if you're going to South Africa make sure you only buy from authorised companies selling official tour packages or tickets.

Jonathan Wilson in the Ukraine

Tonight's Uefa Cup semi-final is Dynamo Kyiv's biggest game in a decade and probably Shakhtar Donetsk's biggest ever.

Dynamo and Shakhtar Donetsk fight for Ukraine supremacy on European stage.

FA Cup Semi-Final Reports

Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea
Defensive errors cost Arsenal
Player Ratings

David Hytner:
Fabianski frailty a concern for Gunners







Manchester United 0 - 0 Everton (Everton win 4-2 on penalties)
Howard the hero
Player Ratings

Daniel Taylor:
Fergie's selection polic! y to blame for loss

Phil McNulty:
Everton and Moyes deserve FA Cup glory

Criticism mounts of Wembley Pitch

The Mill + ++

Wednesday's Rumours



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City sign Tevez and look to Adebayor and Terry

The long-awaited confirmation last night of Manchester City's capture of Carlos Tévez from Manchester United quickly gave way to an intensification of efforts to lure John Terry from Chelsea and Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal.








Carlos looks forward to his new life at Citeh...

Defoe spends five hours in cell after police error

"Then, to add insult to injury, upon his release the police refused to give Mr Defoe his car back until he produced his documents and stated they were not sure where they had put the vehicle.

Ives: Taking stock after Mexico/U.S.

In the grand scheme of things, Mexico's 2-1 victory against the United States wasn't an earth-shattering result for the Americans, but the result and performance on Wednesday was still a disappointing one and certainly raises new questions for a team that didn't look very much like the squad that reached the Confederations Cup final.

Champions League Play-Off Preview: Fiorentina - Sporting CP

Fiorentina will look to take advantage of their 2-2 draw in Lisbon in the first leg against Sporting when they host the Portuguese runners-up in the second leg of this Champions League play-off tie.

Wednesday 26 August, 20:45 CET
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italia
Preview

Top 10 Teams That Failed To Qualify For The World Cup

With Portugal, Argentina and France all at risk of making it to South Africa 2010, Carlo Garganese looks back at the Top 10 Teams Who Failed To Qualify For The World Cup…







No...

England: Wednesday's Carling Cup Previews

Matches:
Aston Villa - Cardiff
Chelsea - Queens Park Rangers
Hull - Everton
Preston - Tottenham
Manchester United - Wolves
Manchester City - Fulham

Previews