FERNANDO TORRES: 2 GOALS AGAINST WEST HAM (SEE VIDEO)

Lakers End Losing Streak

Kobe provided the offense with 31 points in 3 quarters and Lamar Odom provided the defense with 13 rebounds and 8 blocks. The Lakers beat the Grizzlies 99-89 to snap their two game skid. L.A. led from the 1st quarter on and the Grizzlies never really had a chance to win this one. It was not for a lack of effort. The Lakers played good team defense and got just enough scoring from Kobe to cruise to an easy win. Odom has struggled offensively the last few games but has contributed by controlling the boards. O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol(Pau's brother) scored 17 apiece to lead Memphis. Rudy Gay added 14 as all 5 Memphis Grizzlies scored in double figures. The stats are somewhat deceiving because the starters for L.A. sat out the 4th quarter.

The Lakers get 2 days off before their game Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

USA 6, New Zealand 1

The U.S. Women's National Team rolled past an over-matched New Zealand team to win 6-1 on a hot afternoon at Soldier Field as forward Abby Wambach and midfielder Carli Lloyd each scored twice.

USA 2, China 0

Lori Chalupny and Natasha Kai scored and the United States beat China, 2-0, on Tuesday to win the Four Nations women's soccer tournament in southern China.

Sexual harassment case against Dorrance revived

North Carolina women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance cut reserve goaltender Melissa Jennings in 1998 saying she was out of shape, but as a legal opponent she's showing remarkable endurance.

Jennings and former UNC soccer star Debbie Keller sued Dorrance for sexual harassment eight years ago. Keller settled her portion of the lawsuit in March 2004, but Jennings pressed on. Her federal lawsuit was dismissed, and her appeal was rejected by a three-judge panel that split 2-1.

But a surprising decision by the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., last month has given new life to the case, perhaps in response to a dissenting opinion that found strong merit to Jennings' complaint.

U23: USA 3, England 0

The US U-23 Women's National Team took on England yesterday (2/6) in La Manga, Spain. Brittany Klein, Amanda Cinalli and Lorraine Quinn had the goals.

Nakano Gets the new RC212V in Brno

Sunday, 27 july 2008
Yes, it may been several days ago that every where on the net published about this, but why him? Why not Andrea Dovizioso?

I have sent some emails to my friends who involve around the paddock, and they seem agree that probably Honda is getting tired of Michelin's bad result lately (until Laguna Seca.) It was a disaster for a company like Michelin, made wrong predictions and lack of grip cost the podium for the American's hero, Nicky Hayden and all Michelin riders.

Do you know why Pe! drosa chose to go home instead of racing in Laguna Seca? despite his injury, and even the track really demand a strong physic to run, but Pedrosa told Marca Spain that when he tested the tires, he knew he was in another danger, and he better go home rather than end up in the hospital... wise choice.. as Lorenzo fell down hard because his rear tire lost its grip.

Honda(HRC) probably wants input from Nakano over Bridgestone on their current bike... and if it works that good that then they could move to Bridgestone next year, who knows. :) Sachenring proved Michelin was terribly bad in the rain. Well, then why not Dovizioso? Everyone knows that he maybe end up in factory rider next year, as Carlo Pernat spoke to gpone.com that 99% Hayden will likely on the Ducati next year and Honda will take Andrea Dovizioso for the vacant seat. I just can't wait Nakano's performance in Brno.

Reds block Force

The Reds have done the Stormers a big favour by beating the Western Force and denying them a bonus point. The Queenslanders clinched a 29-12 victory over the team currently one point ahead of the Stormers on the Super 14 log.

The Brisbane side crossed the try-line three times through Leroy Houston, Morgan Turinui and Andrew Walker. Clinton Schifcofske kicked a conversion and 3 penalties, while Berrick Barnes also added three points. The visitors from Perth failed to score a single try and Cameron Shepherd kicked four penalties.

The Reds are already out of the running for the semi-finals, but have now moved away from the bottom end of the log to tenth place on 16 points. The result means the Stormers will go into the top four if they beat the Hurricanes and the Waratahs lose to the Lions tomorrow.

Butch eyes first step of Bok masterplan

Flyhalf, Butch James, is relishing the chance to get back in Springbok green and gold.

"It's such an honour to be back with the Boks, obviously we achieved something massive last year, but the opportunity to build on that success and not just be satisfied with being the best team in the world for four weeks is a challenge I'm really enjoying," James told www.sarugby.co.za.

"There's an energy in the camp that's gonna lead to big things, I think. As a squad we've got big goals, but we need to make sure we're only focusing on the next step in order to s! ucceed at the bigger plan."

James has returned from a highly successful club season with English club team Bath, a spell that has expanded his horizons.

"It was a great experience and I really enjoyed my time in England. There was a stage in 2005 when I thought I wouldn't get to play rugby again, let alone with clubs of the calibre of Bath. It was awesome."

James has slotted in seamlessly into the Bok setup following his return a week ago, and has brought direction and impetus to the backline when he's run on at #10. He has been a voice of caution at all team discussions this week, ensuring that the Welsh get the respect they deserve ahead of the test match at Vodacom Park on Saturday.

"I played against a lot of the Welsh guys in the last year, and being in England saw a lot of the Six Nations. They're a quality outfit, make no mistake, and we expect a very stern test from them on Saturday."

Euro 08 squad

The Euro 2008 Squad has been announced. On the list nine Spaniard's make the cut with Spain's Xavi Hernandez winning player of the tournament. Many may be looking for Cristiano Ronaldo's name which is not on the list.

The player was not included in the squad because Portugal did not progress further. This is according to UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh and not due to the fact that it has been suggested that Ronaldo has Prima Donna attitude. However two of his teams mates make the the team in Jose Bosingwa and Pepe. Roxburg says Ronaldo is an exellent player and the selection of the best players was close.

Euro 2008 squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Edwin
van der Sar (Holland)

Defenders: Jose Bosingwa (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Carlos
Marchena (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Carles Puyol (Spain), Yuri Zhirkov(Russia).

Midfielders: Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Luka Modric (Croatia), Marcos
Senna (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Konstantin Zyryanov (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Holland).

Forwards: Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain).

Boks Will Improve

On the scoreboard it looks like the Springboks were comprehensively outplayed by the All Blacks in their 19 - 0 drubbing at Newlands on Saturday, but I have reason to believe the score is not a true reflection of how the Boks fared.

The Boks seemed overwhelmed by the occassion of Percy Montgomery's 100th test, a packed Newlands and the pressure to repeat their heroics in Dunedin just over a month ago. By coach Peter de Villiers' own admission, it took them about 20 minutes just to get into the game. Having said that, when they did get into it they were giving the All Blacks some uphills especially at scrumtime.

As a unit, the Springbok forwards were dominant in that aspect of the game with Beast Mtawarira holding his own nicely against the more experinced Greg Sommerville. A dubious try was all that separated the teams at halftime.

The All Blacks didn't have an answer to the Boks' physicality and it's a pity the Boks' tactical kicks weren't spot on. With a few more meaningful kicks into the corners, they could've been up by 10 points at the break. Montgomery didn't have a good game at all and missed kicks he normally would've popped over in his sleep. the Boks went off the boil completely in the last quarter of the game giving away two soft tries.

So, while the Boks had a bad day at the office on Saturday, I don't think they were as bad as the score suggests. We should do what coach de Villiers asks from us and just be patient. If given the necessary support, the Boks will blossom into the team to beat in world rugby.

Day 6 Paralympic schedule

Our Stars are back in action today, here is their schedule...

Athletics: 03:00-15:30 Chanelle van Zyl, Fanie van der Merwe, Ilse Hayes
Swimming: 03:00 - 14:30 Adri Visser, tadhg Slattery, Natalie du Toit
Cycling (Road): 04:00 - 11:50 Ernst van Dyk, Riaan Nel, Roxy Burns, Susan van Staden

Wales backing SA's anti-racism campaign

The Welsh rugby team will wear a red and green STAR on their playing jerseys in Saturday's Test against the Springboks to mark their support for the South African Rugby Union's (SARU) campaign to highlight the sport's opposition to racism.
The Welsh STAR will match the green and gold STAR that the Springboks are wearing on their playing jersey during their end-of-year Tests against the Six Nations champions as well as Scotland and England.

Wales players will wear the STAR on the left-hand sleeves of their ! new international match jerseys, worn in competition for the first time this weekend - as modelled at a Millennium Stadium training session today by prop Adam Jones, who will win his 50th cap on Saturday.

The STAR initiative was launched by Mr Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU, a week ago and takes its shape from the acronym S T A R - Stand Together Against Racism.

"We are extremely grateful to the Welsh Rugby Football Union for wholeheartedly backing this important campaign," said Mr Hoskins.

"They have given our initiative a global context but one that will have a particular resonance in South Africa where the evidence of the international rugby community rallying around our cause must have an impact."

WRU Group chief executive Roger Lewis said:"We have had no hesitation in supporting the South African Rugby Union's STAR campaign and the SARU should be given credit for addressing this issue in such a ! positive way.

"The sport of Rugby Union crosses ma! ny socia l and political boundaries and has the ability to unite nations through its competitions.

"The WRU and SARU have established a strong bond, particularly in recent seasons when we have competed for the newly created Prince William Cup and we are extremely happy to support their initiative and give as much extra credence and publicity to their worthy message as possible.

The STAR campaign was launched by SARU as a follow up to a domestic 'No to Racism' campaign during the Absa Currie Cup. Teams wore the slogan on their playing jerseys during one round of the competition and the slogan was painted in the in-goal areas for the second half of the tournament.

"Racism is not just rugby's problem - it is a South African problem and this is rugby's approach to tackling it," explained Mr Hoskins.

"It was the feeling of SA Rugby and our stakeholders that we would be failing in our responsibility as a sport if we didn't continue to address! this issue. Other sports codes around the world - particularly in football - have faced up to the issue and it's time that South African rugby did too."

Issued by SA Rugby

Sharapova pulls out of Hong Kong

Former world number one Maria Sharapova will not play in an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong next week.

The Russian has pulled out because she is still trying to recover from a shoulder injury.

Organisers of the event say she took to the court two weeks ago, but has not reached full fitness yet.

Time is running out for the three time grand slam winner with only three weeks before the Australian Open.

Sharapova says she doesn't feel ready.

"I'm just not ready to play against the top class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia where I'm the defending champion."

It's been about five months since Sharapova played competitive tennis.

She pulled out of the Rogers Cup in Canada at the end of July.

Medical tests revealed that the 21 year old had torn a tendon in her shoulder.

The break ended her run of participating in 23 consecutive ! grand slams.

Another Russian will take Sharapova's place at the Hong Kong event - Anna Chakvetadze.


Other participants include current world number one Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams and China's Zheng Zie.

The competition runs from 7-10 January 2009.

Proteas and Aussies stick to the Formula

In my post last week I went on about how the home and away legs between South Africa and Australia are mirror images of each other with the Proteas winning the test series down under 2 - 1 and Australia winning the return series by the same margin. The Aussies won both the T20's at home but were comprehensively beaten in both in South Africa. Now, in the ODI's the trend keeps going.

In Australia, South Africa came back from their T20 disappointment and beat the Baggy Greens by three wi! ckets at the MCG. That's when the Australians met Albie Morkel. Two days later though, the Aussies bounced back in Hobart to beat the Proteas by a narrow five runs with the South Africans not quite pacing their innings correctly.

That proved to be the last taste of victory for Australia in the series as South Africa romped to a 4 - 1 series win.

The one-dayers in the home series has started in exactly the same fashion. Australia came back strongly after their T20 whitewash and gave the South Africans a 141-run hammering in Durban. But the Proteas completely turned the tables in the second ODI at Centurion yesterday, winning the match by seven wickets. Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn the destroyers in chief with four wickets a piece.

Now it's off to Newlands and can we expect the Aussies to romp to a 4 - 1 series victory and with that reclaim the world number one ranking? Surely not.

Prost wants F1 test for son

It just would not seem right if we had a Senna on the F1 grid and not have a Prost in the near future. 4 times F1 Champion Alain Prost is hoping that his son Nicolas gets a future opportunity. The following is a story from Autosport.com:

Four-time Formula One world champion Alain Prost is hoping his son Nicolas can test a grand prix car after winning the Euroseries 3000 title. Nicolas secured the title at the Magione circuit on Sunday despite scoring just a seventh place finish in the second race, having retired from the first one. Prost said he was pleased with his son's progress.

"I'm happy: Nicolas started racing late, but in the last two years he's made exceptional progress," Prost was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "He drives with his head and enjoys knowing the cars' technical details. "Now I'd like him to do an F1 test. After this title the time is right. With Ferrari? I have a good relationship with them, so I'm hoping a bit for it."The four-time champion admitted he was not sure about Nicolas's motivation when he started his career. "I wasn't convinced of his motivation," he told Autosprint. "At the beginning he was very busy: with school, golfing, skiing. As for me I had the team in F1 and I didn't have much time to do anything else. So it wasn't the right time to support him full time.

"Now many things have changed: I see him focused, motivated, and supplied with good talent. Even though at 27, it's clear that it will be very difficult for him to get to F1, which remains his obsession. "He added: "He is extremely focused in his mission. He programs his career the way an engineer would, and that could also bring negative aspects. He is also demonstrating a fine progression and an impressive maturity, especially considering that he started racing late, without doing karting."

Nicolas, currently racing for A1GP Team France, said GP2 was too costly for him.
"My future? GP! 2 is too expensive. In A1 you don't pay and that makes a diffe! rence. H owever, between a bank's desk and a racing seat, I certainly prefer my future in motor racing."

http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/72286

Juve Line Up Masch Raid

Juventus are preparing to deepen Liverpool's misery with a January raid for Javier Mascherano.

Rafa Benitez's side are already six points behind Chelsea following their third defeat of the season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Now Italians Juve are planning a fresh bid for Argentine midfielder Mascherano, 24, who they tried to sign from West Ham before he moved to Anfield in January 2007.

The Turin giants are ready to offer £23million as they seek to grab the Serie A title away from Inter Milan.

And club officials plan to open talks with thei! r Anfield opposite numbers in the coming weeks.

Mascherano is already a target for Barcelona, with Liverpool rejecting an ]approach for him from the European champions during the summer.

Mascherano, who possesses an Italian passport, is tempted to move away from Merseyside even though he is under contract until 2012.

He is believed to be unhappy at the break-up of his partnership with Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid in the summer.

And he was dismayed at criticism for his performance in the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

The Kop have got their own back on Chelsea by stealing Benfica wonderkid Toni Brito Sa from under their noses.

Benfica have accepted Liverpool's offer of £290,000 for one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Portugal.

Guinea-born Brito, 16, had a trial at Chelsea when Phil Scolari was boss and was ready to sign a six-year deal.

Liverpool Must Win Remaining Games To Qualify - Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said his side must win their remaining three group games if the five-time European champions are to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

A 2-1 home defeat by Olympique Lyon on Tuesday left Liverpool third in Group E after three games, six points behind leaders Lyon and three behind second-placed Fiorentina.

Frustrated supporters turned on Benitez at Anfield after a fourth successive defeat in all competitions, Liverpool's worst run for 22 years.

On a bad night ! for the Premier League club, captain Steven Gerrard lasted just 24 minutes in his comeback game from injury before he limped off.

The England midfielder is now a major doubt for Sunday's home game with Premier League leaders Manchester United, a match Liverpool have to win if they are to maintain a realistic chance of challenging for the title.

"I think it is something we are going to have to do," said Benitez, when asked if Liverpool would have to win their remaining three group games to stay in the Champions League.

Benitez takes his side to Lyon on Nov. 4 before facing Hungarian side Debrecen away on Nov. 24. They round off the group campaign at home to Fiorentina on Dec. 9.

"I wanted to use some fresh legs," Benitez explained after his decision to replace goalscorer Yossi Benayoun with Andriy Voronin was met by a chorus of boos from supporters.

"The fans know Yossi is a good player but he was a little bit tired.

"It's a really disappointing outcome.

"We h! ad too m any problems before the game with injuries.

"But we still managed to take the lead and we still managed to create chances."

Benitez refused to rule out Gerrard for Sunday's game with United but Spanish striker Fernando Torres has missed the last two games and remains doubtful.

"We need to lift ourselves for Sunday, it's something we have to do," added Benitez.

"We have to push the players and have to keep going. Had we taken our chances against Lyon then things would have been different."

Benitez Defends Torres Withdrawal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended substituting striker Fernando Torres in their 3-1 defeat by Fulham.

Torres has been nursing a groin injury and was taken off with the scores at 1-1 ahead of the crucial Champions League game at Lyon on Wednesday.

"It is a big risk if you keep a player playing if he has this problem so we wanted to protect Torres as we knew it could be worse for him," said Benitez.

"If you lose the player for 20 minutes it is better than for one month."

Torres played 80 minutes in the win over Manchester United last Sunda! y and was rested for the midweek defeat at Arsenal for a lack of fitness before returning to the starting line-up against Fulham.

He equalised for Liverpool but was taken off after 62 minutes at Craven Cottage.

"We knew that we had to change him," added the Spaniard, who also took off Yossi Benayoun late on. "In the last game he played 80 minutes and needed four days to recover.

"He was always training with pain. We knew that we had to change him but it was a question of when and we did it at the moment we did. I think that it was best for him."

However, Fulham forward Bobby Zamora cited Torres's exit as a possibly pivotal moment in the game for his side.

"He's one of the best strikers in the world and to see him go off the pitch is a massive boost for us and maybe even gave us another gear," he said.

The Reds had right-back Philipp Degen and centre-back Jamie Carragher sent-off within three minutes after goi! ng 2-1 down and Benitez insisted both were wrongly dismissed b! y refere e Lee Mason.

Degen was sent off for a late lunge on Clint Dempsey, while Carragher got his marching orders for a professional foul on Zamora.

"I think the two sending offs were very harsh," said Benitez. "The first one could be a yellow card and for the second one Carragher definitely kicked the ball.

"Zamora was also saying he kicked the ball and we have to analyse this because it is a situation that saw us playing with nine players."

Benitez was also left bemused by the way his team let the game slip away from the after dominating the first half.

"We were in control at 1-1 and I was really surprised we made these mistakes," he added.

The Reds boss was especially frustrated by Fulham's second goal when Dirk Kuyt kept the ball in only for the home side to earn possession and score.

"The second goal was a massive mistake and then shortly afterwards was the first red card.

"Today the main t! hing for me is 'how can you lose control of a game you are controlling everything of in the first half? That is something we have to analyse.

"Everyone involved has to take responsibility.

"We have to now prepare for the next game and try to lift the players to give them confidence.

"We have an important game in the Champions League and then we will have to continue in the Premier League."

Kitty Zhang Yu Qi Best Actress from China

Kitty Zhang Yu Qi Best Actress from China. When Kitty Zhang faced the media recently, she was noted to have become more beautiful and is said to resemble Korean actress Song Hye-kyo. This 19-year old with 35D-24-35 measurements has gotten the lead role in Stephen Chow's latest movie, CJ7 (?), a comedy fantasy tale featuring state-of-the-art visual effects where a poor laborer and his young son.

Sexy Blonde Posing

Young Girl Sexy Pose In Blue Underware

OTSFF Suzuki adds Gracyk

From Team Suzuki/OTSFF

CONCORD, ON -- Team Suzuki/OTSFF has announced the third and final rider addition to its 2005 National Motocross race team. A combined effort between Team OTSFF and Guelph, ON's Two Wheel Motorsport/Pro-Action Suspension has inked a contract with Blissfield, OH's Gavin Gracyk.

Gracyk's most memorable rides in 2004 were the RJ National in Barrie, where he won the 125 overall with a 1-3 finish, and his 250 class ride in Calgary, where he finished a very respectable fourth overall.

"I'm so pumped to be riding for the Suzuki team this year on the new four strokes," said the 21-year-old Gracyk. "The RM-Z450 makes it unfair to ride a 250 two-stroke."

"Gracyk, a seasoned indoor arenacross and outdoor MX rider has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career whenever I had the opportunity to watch him ride," stated Ron Ashley, OTSFF rider/team manager. "He also has stro! ng ties with Pro-Action Suspension headquarters in Beaver Falls, PA, which increased our desire to have him aboard our RMZ team bikes in 2005."

Gracyk was expected to ride round 2 of the Ontario Provincial series in Auburn last weekend alongside teammates Iain Hayden and Peter Raymer.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Szoke tests in Florida

From Waznie Racing Inc.

BRANTFORD, ON -- Jordan Szoke continues his return to Kawasaki on Monday and Tuesday in Jennings, FL at the Jennings GP motorcycle-only race facility, testing the Parts Canada Superbike Championship new spec Pirelli tire the competitors will use in the upcoming season.

This will be Szoke's first ride aboard the new Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike and the ZX-6R Sport Bike ride he will compete on this year in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and Hindle 600 Sport Bike Championship.

Szoke and the Canadian Kawasaki team will stay south and compete in next weekend's AMA Superbike Championship round at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL.

A new face has been developed for Szoke's official website, www.waznie.com. This site will post event-daily 'Jordan' news flashes from all the motorcycle activities he participates in.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Snap Judgements on the Bengals

Everyone in Bengals land seems to be very optomistic following the draft this year. I agree that this was a strong draft but we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. Where will the offense come from? We still have Palmer as long as he can stay healthy for the season but we lost our productive #1 receiver. We have added Coles but will we be forced to water down the already vanilla offenase to accomodate the new personel? I think the defense is stronger but I still question the secondary. Overall I think the draft will prove to be fruitful but I am still not convinced that this will make us a playoff team. What do you think? Will this draft put us over the edge?

Have the Reds Found a Cheap Adam Dunn?

Hey, did everyone know the Reds are still playing… Most of you are more interested in Hard Knocks and Bengals preseason games (I can't blame you).

One positive statistic I came across today that many people, including Dusty Baker, have overlooked is the play of Jonny Gomes. In only 173 at-bats, Gomes has put up solid numbers including a .277 AVG, 15 HR, 36 RBI and a .357 OBP.

Former Red, Adam Dunn, was just in town and it was amazing the amount of write-ups I scanned detailing how the Reds could use his 40 homers and 100+ RBI's a year now more than ever. Funny thing is the Reds have a guy on their current roster who is also iffy in the field and is known for his bat, Jonny Gomes.

Listed below is Adam Dunn's current 2009 stats and Gomes' projected stats if he were to presently have 400 plate appearances.

Dunn: 282 AVG, 63 R, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 131 K
Gomes: .277 AVG, 58 R, 35 HR, 84 RBI, 135 K! (Projected)

Baseball's Small Market Teams

Paul Daugherty wrote a very interesting article this week for SI.com. Check it out here. P-Doc makes the point that markets like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, Kansas City, etc. are only in the league for opponents like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers have teams to play. The fact of the matter is the big payroll teams win games (Chicago excluded.) The Reds will never be a solid contender with a payroll around $70 million. Only the $100 million teams win. Sure, there have been exceptions like Tampa Bay and Florida who made it to the World Series. But those are the exception rather than the rule. The big payroll, big market teams will continue to win because that is how baseball wants it.

The Sports Brief's MMA Rankings (7-23-08)

The time has come. The Sports Brief is proud to bring you our first ever complete MMA Rankings. The emergence of such organizations as Affliction and Dream has led us to think outside of the UFC. We will rank the Top 10 fighters in each weight class from Heavyweight through Lightweight. Apologies to Urijah Faber and Miguel Torres, but you will not see Featherweight or Bantamweight, because we just don't know enough about it. Those fighters do show up, however, on our new Pound 4 Pound rankings. Also there a list of honorable mentions following each weight class, for the guys who just missed out on the Top 10. Enjoy the list and let the debates begin.

Heavyweight:

1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
3. Randy Couture
4. Andrei Arlovski
5. Josh Barnett
6. Tim Sylvia
7. Fabricio Werdum
8. Alistair Overeem
9. Brandon Vera
10. Frank Mir

Heath Herring, Chiek Kongo, Ben Rot! hwell, Gabriel Gonzaga, Aleksander Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop

Light Heavyweight:

1. Forrest Griffin
2. Quinton Jackson
3. Chuck Liddell
4. Lyoto Machida
5. Wanderlei Silva
6. Maurcio 'Shogun' Rua
7. Thiago Silva
8. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
9. Keith Jardine
10. Rashad Evans

Babalu Sobral, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Tito Ortiz

Middleweight:

1. Anderson Silva
2. Matt Lindland
3. Dan Henderson
4. Rich Franklin
5. Paulo Filho
6. Cung Le
7. Robbie Lawler
8. Yushin Okami
9. Nathan Marquardt
10. Frank Trigg

Patrick Cote, Frank Shamrock, Kazuo Misaki, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Thales Leites, Chris Leben. Michael Bisping, Ricardo Almeida

Welterweight:

1. Georges St. Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Josh Koscheck
5. Diego Sanchez
t-6. Matt Hughes
t-6. Matt Serra
8. Jake Shields!
9. Karo Parisyan
10. Nick Thompson

Marcu! s Davis, Carlos Condit, Mike Swick, Drew Fickett

Lightweight:

1. BJ Penn
2. Takanori Gomi
3. Eddie Alverez
4. Joachim Hansen
5. Shinya Aoki
6. JZ Cavalcante
7. Josh Thomson
8. Tatsuya Kawajiri
9. Sean Sherk
10. Gilbert Melendez

KJ Noons, Nick Diaz, Victor Ribero, Joe Stevenson, Kenny Florian, Roger Huerta, Frankie Edgar,

Pound 4 Pound

1. Anderson Silva
2. Fedor Emelianenko
3. Georges St. Pierre
4. BJ Penn
5. Urijah Faber
6. Miguel Torres
7. Takanori Gomi
8. Forrest Griffin
9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
10. Quinton Jackson

Rich Reviews: Obsessed

In a word: Decent

In several words: On the surface, Obsessed seems like a jv 2009 version of Fatal Attraction, which is still keeping men from cheating on their wives to this day. But of course, it is different than that. I'm not going to give anything away here. Essentially a successful guy is married to Beyonce and they have a 2 year old son. Ali Larter is a temp at the guy's office and is instantly interested in him. She's a bit crazy, Beyonce is a bit jealous, and you've got yourself movie. The guy finds himself caught in the middle of Ali Larter and Beyonce, not sure how many people are feeling sorry for him.

The film (#1 at the box office this weekend) banked on the following: 1. Women bringing their guys to it, so they can say, "you better not cheat on me, cause this will happen" and 2. Guys wanting to go to see Ali Larter and Beyonce. In this regard, it worked on both fronts. There were couples, groups of girls, and groups of dudes at the Sunday evening show I took in.

Ali Larter is worth the price of omission. Unless it's night time at an overpriced city theater. Then maybe you should wait til video, or find a cheaper matinee! . Bottom line it was predictable and hurt itself with a PG-13 ! rating. Sure they'll probably end up making more money at the box office, because a larger amount of people are allowed to see it, but I think it suffered. Fatal Attraction sure as hell wasn't rated PG-13, and this shouldn't have been either.

The best part, beside the crazy Ali Larter, was unfortunately the previews. Check out the trailers for Orphan and Drag Me To Hell. Damn they look scary.

Orphan:

Drag Me to Hell:

UFC 104 picks

Tonight from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida makes his first defense of the light heavyweight title against a surging Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. This could be one of the more exciting fights of the year, with two prolific strikers doing battle in the Octagon. Rua will no doubt be the aggressor, with his devastating Muay Tai skills contrasting the patient, elusive yet explosive striking of "The Dragon", who has knocked his last two opponents out cold. The co-main event is decent, with rising heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez taking on savvy veteran Ben Rothwell. Velasquez was supposed to be taking on Shane Carwin in a #1 contender spot, but they needed Carwin to step in and face Brock Lesnar at UFC106. This will be a good test for the young Mexican fighter. Here are my picks for tonight's card:

Main card

Machida over Rua via (T)KO in the 3rd round
Velasquez over Rothwell via decision
"Rumb! le" Johnson over Yoshida via KO in the 1st round
*Note that Johnson's unprofessionalism brought him in at 176 pounds, 5 pounds over the 171 contracted weight. While he's probably reeling from cutting down from 220 pounds, he'll probably weigh almost 190 in the cage tonight.
Tibau over Neer via submission (guillotine choke) in the 2nd round
Stevenson over Fisher via decision

Preliminary bouts

Okami over Sonnen via decision
Hardonk over Barry via (T)KO in the 1st round
Bader over Schafer via decision
Rivera over Kimmons via (T)KO in the 2nd round
Kingsbury over Al-Hassan via decision
Struve over Gormley via submission (rear-naked choke) in the 1st round

Enjoy the fights.

-Bess

Qatar league Saturday Review

Defending champions Al Gharafa shared a 1-1 draw with Al Arabi at the end of round three of Qatar league.

The result leaves Al Gharafa level on points with rivals Al Sadd, but it is the latter who sit top of the table thanks to a superior goal difference.

Al Arabi are up to fourth place with five points, two fewer than the leading pair.

Al Arabi opened the scoring after only eight minutes when Argentinian striker Leonardo Pisculichi fired home a powerful fre! e kick from 20 yards out.

However, Al Gharafa levelled the scores after 21 minutes when Younis Mahmoud scored his fourth goal of the season to move joint-top of the scoring charts with Al Sadd's Leandro da Silva.

Tonight's other scheduled game between Umm Salal and Al Ahli has been postponed due to Umm Salal's commitments in the AFC Champions League.

UAE League Review

Argentinian striker Jose Sand struck a hat-trick as Al Ain hammered pointless defending champions Al Ahli 5-1 to maintain their 100% start to the new UAE League campaign.

Al Ahli opened the scoring after just five minutes as Mohamad Srour headed home past Al Ain goalkeeper Walid Salem from an inviting free-kick from Egyptian midfielder Hosny Abd Rabou.

Al Ain replied after 19 minutes as Brazilian midfielder Marcio Emerson fired a well-struck shot which was deflected by Srour into his own net.!

The visitors took the lead two minutes later as Emerson's shot hit the crossbar and Sand followed up from close range.

Sand grabbed a second two minutes into the second half after collecting Saif Mohamad's pass before beating Al Ahli goalkeeper Obaid Al Tawila.

And Sand completed his hat-trick six minutes after the hour mark following a good solo run before substitute Ahmed Khamis sealed the win in the last minute as Al Ain moved ahead of Al Jazira at the top of the table on goal difference.

Elsewhere, Al Nasr downed Emirates 4-1 in a game which contained three penalties and two red cards.

Al Nasr should have taken the lead after eight minutes but Iranian striker Iman Mobali missed from the spot before Emirates midfielder Yousef Mousa was sent-off.

The home were also reduced to 10 men when Kadhem Ali was also sent-off midway through the first half but still managed to take the lead two minutes later as Moroccan striker Ali Boussabo! un converted from the post before Mobali added a second 13 min! utes bef ore the break.

Younes Ahmed struck the third in the last minute of the first half before Emirates pulled a goal back through Moroccan striker Hassan Tair with a 56th minute penalty.

Mohamad Mallalah sealed Al Nasr's first points of the season two minutes after the hour mark.

Delhi Daredevils finish on a high

Delhi Daredevils ended their Airtel Champions League Twenty20 campaign on a high by handing the South African side, Cape Cobras, a 30-run defeat.

Early breakthroughs and regular wickets thereafter vindicated the Cape Cobras skipper Andrew Puttick's surprising decision to field as the Delhi Daredevils struggled with the bat.

Owais Shah helped finish the innings with a flourish with an unbeaten 39, while Dinesh Karthik scored 23 as the home side finished with a modest 114 for six.

The Daredevils, however, defended that small total with aplomb, fast bowler Dirk Nannes claiming three wickets for 19, while spinners Amit Mishra, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Yogesh Nagar! claimed two apiece as the Cobras, who are already in the semi! -finals, were restricted to 84 in 18.3 overs.

Fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt had rocked Delhi's top order, dismissing both opening batsmen, Dilshan and Gautam Gambhir, in his first over after Monde Zondeki had delivered an excellent over with the new ball.

Dinesh Karthik, one of the few Daredevils batsmen to return with some success in this tournament, revived the innings together with with Manoj Tiwary (19).

Tiwary, one of three changes in the side, provided the early spark, turning Zondeki to fine leg for four, but Karthik's impressive form soon came to the fore.

The wicketkeeper batsman! ruined Klienveldt's figures by slamming him for three consecutive boundaries, the first through mid-wicket and the others over cover.

Tiwary, however, fell to Claude Henderson, the left-arm spinner striking in his first over, and Karthik was then run out following a mix-up with Shah as the Daredevils again slumped.

Nagar (10) and Shah lowered their sights and settled for singles as the Daredevils recovered slightly.

The two put on 34 for the fifth wicket, but Nagar perished while attempting to force the pace and the Daredevils crumbled again.

Shah injected some acceleration at the death, blasting Justin Ontong for the only six of the innings and clubbing two boundaries as the Daredevils f! inished with a modest, but defendable total.

Dilshan, ! handed t he new ball, provided the early breakthrough removing Herschelle Gibbs for a golden duck.

Nannes then sent down a fiery first spell, bowling Puttick with one that kept low, but the Cobras, with Davids and JP Duminy at the crease, seemed to have weathered the storm.

Davids, however, was run out and leg-spinner Mishra struck twice in an over to scalp the dangerous Duminy and the big-hitting Klienveldt and leave the Cobras reeling at 57 for five.

Dilshan then returned to bowl Ontong before Nannes destroyed the tail with two wickets in his final over as the Daredevils eased to victory.

The Teams:

Cape! Cobras: AG Puttick*, HH Gibbs, H Davids, JP Duminy, JL Ontong, VD Philander, RCC Canning†, RK Kleinveldt, CW Henderson, M Zondeki, FC Plaatjies

Delhi Daredevils: G Gambhir*, TM Dilshan, KD Karthik†, MK Tiwary, OA Shah, Y Nagar, R Bhatia, A Mishra, PJ Sangwan, DP Nannes, AM Salvi

Click here for the Scorecard

Inter Milan 2-1 Catania

Inter Milan moved back to the top of Serie A with a win over Catania at the San Siro on Saturday.

Sulley Muntari gave Jose Mourinho's side the lead in the 13th minute and Wesley Sneijder added a second just after half an hour.

A penalty from Giuseppe Mascara made it a nervy ending for the Nerazzurri, who held on to move back above Sampdoria and return to the top of the table.

Samuel Eto'o was included in the Inter starting XI despite not being 100% fit, but ! Mourinho gave a rest to Dejan Stankovic.

Javier Zanetti does not know what a rest is, however, as he continued his extraordinary record of appearing in every single game for the last three years, making this the Inter captain's 139th consecutive game.

Having seen Sampdoria move above them with a 4-1 win over Bologna earlier today, Inter were keen to take back top spot in Serie A with a win.

They were ahead after 13 minutes when Muntari's long ball into the penalty area for Eto'o defied everybody, including Catania goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo, on its way into the back of the net.

Ezequiel Carboni tried to equalise in the 20th minute, but Julio Cesar was equal to his effort, pushing the shot wide of the post.

Patrick Vieira, who was on target in last weekend's 5-0 win over Genoa, thought he had done it again in the 28th minute after chesting the ball down well inside the penalty area, but his shot from 10 yards struck the crossbar.

I! nter's second goal came just three minutes later, though, when! Sneijde r showed his prowess from a set-piece situation.

Eto'o was fouled by Marco Biagianti outside the penalty area and the Dutchman stepped up to lift the ball over the wall and into the side of the goal Campagnolo was not guarding.

Inter were in clear control of the game and they could have gone into the break with a greater lead had the referee given a penalty for an apparent foul by Mathias Silvestre on Mario Balotelli in the 43rd minute.

Inter's lead rarely looked in any danger until Julio Cesar gave away a penalty seven minutes from time.

He failed to hold onto a shot by Pablo Ledesma and Gianvito Plasmati pounced onto the rebound, nudging the ball past the Inter goalkeeper, who blocked his way to the goal and offered no complaint for the awarding of the penalty.

Mascara stepped up to give the Sicilians hope by converting the spot-kick.

Eto'o came within inches of restoring Inter's two-goal lead in the 87th minute with a direct free-! kick from 25 yards which had Campagnolo beaten.

But Inter did not need another goal to seal their seventh win of the season and move back to the top of Serie A.

Bath 11 Saracens 12

The Guinness Premiership game between Bath and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on Saturday Oct 31 2009.

Saracens have made it a magnificent seven successive Guinness Premiership victories to preserve their status as unbeaten leaders.

Their winning run represents the best start to a Premiership campaign by any club since Newcastle reeled off 12 straight triumphs on the way to title glory in 1997.

But while Saracens can look down on the rest, Bath remain in freefall.

They have won just once from nin! e starts in all competitions, leaving them only six points above bottom club Leeds Carnegie, who have a game in hand.

Bath are also staring at an early Heineken Cup exit after two pool defeats on the bounce and head coach Steve Meehan will be feeling acute pressure despite recently signing a new two-year contract.

There was plenty of honest toil from the Bath forwards but little spark in a back division crying out for the return of either Olly Barkley or Butch James.

A late try by captain Michael Claassens, following penalties from Ryan Davis and Jack Cuthbert, meant a tense finish, yet Saracens deserved to take the spoils.

They possessed comfortably the game's most elusive runner in England Saxons wing Noah Cato, whose try just before half-time gave his team a degree of breathing space.

Flanker Andy Saull also crossed for the visitors, rounding off a sweeping early move, and with an aggressive ! Saracens pack enjoying some raw physical exchanges, Bath co! uld make little headway.

They are already 19 points behind Saracens and Meehan needs to find answers quickly or Bath's campaign is in danger of completely unravelling before Christmas.

Saracens though, march on after claiming only their second Premiership win at the Recreation Ground since 2001.

Bath made a handful of changes following their home defeat against Newcastle, one enforced at full-back after Nick Abendanon failed a late fitness test.

He was replaced by Cuthbert, with Matt Carraro moving to the wing and Tom Cheeseman partnering Shontayne Hape in midfield.

Saracens were without their England captain Steve Borthwick because of forthcoming autumn Test commitments, so Hugh Vyvyan deputised in the second-row, while flanker Wikus van Heerden took over as skipper.

And with Borthwick watching from the sidelines, Saracens stung Bath through a scintillating fourth-minute try.

Hooker Schalk! Brits created the score through a rampaging 40-metre break which saw him smash through weak Bath tackling.

Brits found centre Brad Barritt in support and he delivered the scoring pass to Saull, who touched down unopposed. Jackson's angled conversion made it 7-0.

The home side's cause was not helped when their former Saracens number eight Ben Skirving limped off after 17 minutes, but a Davis penalty then opened the Bath account.

Davis' strike followed a touchline wrestling match involving Saracens scrum-half Neil de Kock and Bath lock Danny Grewcock, although referee Chris White decided it warranted no further action.

Saracens continued to punch holes in the home defence, Cato proving a consistent threat, but there was an element of self-destruction to Bath's first-half finale.

Cheeseman rightly received a yellow card for tackling Saracens full-back Alex Goode off the ball and Saracens pounced. !

Solid work by the forwards established a strong atta! cking pl atform and Cato wriggled out of Bath prop David Flatman's attempted tackle for a try that made it 12-3 at the break.

A long-range Cuthbert penalty narrowed the deficit yet Jackson continued to keep Saracens' forwards in the right areas through his accomplished tactical kicking.

But his goalkicking was another matter as a drifted penalty chance became his third miss from four attempts during an increasingly-feisty contest.

It was typically attritional Premiership rugby, yet Bath remained in contention entering the final quarter, helped by Cato spilling a pass from Saull when another try looked likely.

Saracens' nerves were not helped by substitute prop Rhys Gill being yellow-carded five minutes from time, and no sooner had he departed than Claassens sniped across for a try.

Davis missed the touchline conversion attempt but Saracens still had to survive nine minutes of injury time, which they succe! ssfully managed, despite Bath's best efforts to steal a win.

Olympic Torch takes Relay in Hefei

by sunny

The Olympic torch relay extended its journey in Hefei, capital city of Anhui Province, with Olympic diving champion Li Na running the first legon Wednesday.

The relay started in Anhui Exhibition Center, passing Prosperity Avenue, Jade Road, Politics Square, Hidden Hill road, Friends Road before reaching the destination Hefei Sports Complex.

The highlight landmarks en route includes Anhui Garden, College City, Politics Building, Swan Lake along the 10.8-km relay.

i Na, 24, the Olympic diving champion, was the first torchbearer. She was handed the torch at 8:10 a.m. local time from Sun Jinlong, the provincial party secretary.

"No earthquake happened when I was informed to be a torchbearer, so it's all the happiness for me at that moment. When the quake came, the torch relay was endowed with new contents, passing the cares, fraternity and concerns between each other," said Li, who won a gold and silver medals at th! e 2000 Summer Olympics.

Li is going to be a diving TV commentator during the Beijing Olympic Games.

After carrying the torch 50 meters, Li passed the Olympic torch to Li Shijun, a paramilitary policeman, who came back from the Sichuan earthquake relief squad and will be back to Sichuan for reconstruction soon.

"I just can't adjust myself to the life here. Everything in my mind is to be back to the quake region as soon as possible. They (Li's comrades in arms) always told me this (torch relay) is also passing a spirit and cares, and I thought it over and agreed to carry the torch," said 30-year-old Zhu.

The oldest torchbearer the day was 90-year-old Zhang Taisheng, who had been an army official in 1951-1954 Korean War.

"I hope the Olympic flame can light up the confidence of rebuilding homeland in disaster area. I hope the whole nation gives a hand to the quake region and I hope people there can live back to normal life ! in near future," said Zhang.

The Wushu world champi! on Fan X ueping, 34, was honored to light the cauldron at 10:20 in the morning and the Olympic flame left for Huainan at 12:30 on noon for next relay.

Hefei is a prefecture-level city and the provincial capital of Anhui province, China. Located in central Anhui, it borders Huainan to the north, Chuzhou to the northeast, Chaohu to the southeast and Lu'an to the west.

About the Author

http://www.tcmadvisory.com/

History of the Manchester United Shirt

by Fran Walker

The premier league English football club Manchester Uniteds home ground is called Old Trafford that resides in Trafford, Manchester. Affectionately known as The Red Devils, they boast over 300 million international fans.
Managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Man-u team has won 21 major titles since being under his reign from 1986 becoming one of the most successful football teams in English football history. During Manchester Uniteds remarkable history, many famous players have run out in the just as famous Manchester united shirt, which can trace its roots back to when the football club was named Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club.

During the Newton Heath days (1878-1892) The shirts were made of Yellow and Green sections (that reappeared a century later) before toying with blue shorts and red/white shirt combo (1892-1894) and then briefly white shirt and a red sash. At the turn of the century the Manchester Unit! ed kits were experimented with, with the colour scheme and design changing significantly. Blue and White stripes, Red and White stripes and even white shirts featuring a large bolded red V which saw the 1909 FA cup final out.

Most of the old shirts have been recreated for the public to wear them as retro tops

It was in 1928, that the Manchester United football team permanently switched to Red, Black and White colours that they have become famous for and has been the basis of the home kit ever since.

The away strip is White shorts and socks and black shorts. The most notorious Man U kit was the all grey kit, notorious because they did not win a single game whilst wearing it during the 1995-1996 season. The players claiming it was because team-mates could not see eachother and the colour grey was too dull and muted to stand out! The Manchester United Third Strip is an all-blue ensemble out of respect to the kit used in the 1968 European Cup t! riumph.

The Manchester United shirt worn for curren! t home g ames is red with a single white stripe running down the back. The words "The Red Devils" features on a patch. The team's devil mascot image is sewn on the bottom-left of the shirt. The club logo adorns inside a red shield on the left breast. The emblem has been changed over the years but takes inspiration from the crest of the City of Manchester. The words "Red Devil" were added in the 1960s after Matt Busby overheard the phrase being used by a local rugby club. The away shirt in today is white with blue piping at the edges. It has red trim on the neck and the club emblem is on a white background on the left breast.

Manchester United football shirts available from Subside Sports. Retailer of football shirts

About the Author
Fran Walker

Torino, ora rischia anche Di Michele

fonte: Tuttosport

Non esistono più giocatori "indispensabili" e il capitano è fuori forma
TORINO, 13 ottobre - I problemi vanno affrontati e risolti. Ma per farlo bisogna innanzi tut­to riconoscerli tutti, i problemi. E il To­ro, non certo da ieri, ne ha diversi. Nu­meri brutti: 14 punti in 9 giornate. In questa B mediocre, una rosa ricca come quella granata non è patrimonio di nes­suno, se si soppesano la qualità e la va­rietà. Parimenti, però, in questo Torino non ci sono fenomeni, molti sono gioca­tori n! ormali, la maggioranza c'era già anche nella disastrosa stagione scorsa (col suo pesante bagaglio di limiti tecni­ci e caratteriali) e solo 4 o 5 granata po­trebbero essere titolari in A. Il Toro non vince da quasi un mese: 2 punti in 4 ga­re, con 2 sconfitte in casa. E' una crisi di gioco, che ovviamente si riverbera nei risultati. Con il Modena, ma non solo col Modena, la manovra, a gioco lungo, è parsa un tentativo di martellare al­l'infinito un chiodo nel cemento: una lot­ta vana col muro avversario.

Burdisso si fa in due per la Roma

di Rocco Fortunato

fonte:laroma24.it

!

Burdisso si fa in due per laRoma. Domenica a San Sir! o per lu i sarà quasi un derby. Il Milan lo ha affrontato tante volte nelle stracitta dine e ci tiene a fare bella figura. Ma soprattutto ci tiene a continuare la serie positiva con la Roma.
Il difensore argenti no è in corsa per due ruoli. Può giocare centrale o esterno a destra, dipenderà dal le condizioni di Juan. Di sicuro Ranieri non rinuncerà a lui. Nico las Burdisso è arrivato alla Roma il 29 agosto. Da allora ha saltato una sola partita, nei preliminari di Euro pa League contro il Kosice perché non era in lista Uefa. Spalletti lo but tò subito nella mischia a Genova, al la prima giornata di campionato, da allora non è più uscito.

Non solo, ma nel ribaltone tecnico è rimasto un punto fermo anche per Ranieri, che lo considera un esempio per i com pagni.
Non è stato convocato da Marado na per le ultime partite della Nazio nale argentina. A settembre era an dato in tribuna, ma fa parte del giro e conta di andare al Mondiale. L'ultimo ar gentino alla Roma era ! stato Cufrè e ha lascia to un buon ricordo.
Burdisso ha un tem peramento molto simi le, è uno tosto, come gli altri argentini che sono stati alla Roma nell'ultimo decennio, da Balbo a Sa­muel, fino a Batistuta. Uno che non si tira mai indietro e che in gialloros­so ha trovato la sua dimensione idea le. La possibilità di giocare con con­tinuità, un ambiente familiare, il cli ma, la passionalità della gente. Al­l'Inter era uno dei comprimari, i tifo si della Roma lo hann! o fatto subito sentire importante.

Burdisso non sal! ta mai u n allena mento, ha sposato la causa gialloros sa. Non si dava pace, appena arriva to, quando la squadra collezionò due sconfitte di fila. L'arrivo di Ranieri lo ha lasciato per qualche giorno con il fiato in sospeso. Lui era stato volu to da un altro allenatore e pochi gior ni dopo si ritrovava a vivere una nuova realtà. Ma non ci ha messo molto a conquistare la fiducia di Ra nieri.
Alla Roma ha già comunicato che intende restare. Nella trattativa con l'Inter per il riscatto sarà importan te la parola del giocatore. E pensare che poteva finire alla Lazio. Branca telefonò a Lotito quando la trattativa con la Roma non si sbloccava. Cruz spingeva per portare il suo connazio­nale in biancoceleste. Poi Rosella Sensi convinse Moratti e il presiden te laziale cavallerescamente fece un passo indietro.

Ferrante: Torino, la vera fortuna è avere Foschi

fonte: Tuttosport

L'ex bomber granata: «È il ds ideale per il Torino»

TORINO, 16 ottobre - Ferrante, il Toro non fa più gol. Lei che è il re dei bomber granata dell'era recente, che idea s'è fatto?
«Da addetto ai lavori dico che la situazione è strana, perché il Toro ha un potenziale offensivo da serie A: e le riserve, Leon e Vantaggiato, sarebbero titolari in qualunque altra squadra di B. Da tifoso mi permetto di aggiungere un'altra annotazione: se! l'attacco non segna, si può anche pareggiare evitando perlomeno di perdere».

La stupisce questo brusco rallentamento, di rendimento e di risultati?
«Sì e no. Potenzialmente il Toro può vincerle tutte, tanta è la sua superiorità. Però se inconsciamente subentra la presunzione d'essere più bravi, se non si duella alla pari con l'avversario, ogni match può diventare un problema: persino in un campionato molto inferiore rispetto agli anni in cui giocavo io».

Restano Bianchi, Di Michele e in genere le punte il valore aggiunto?
«Bianchi è un buon giocatore, l'ho conosciuto lo scorso anno invitandolo a non cercare ossessivamente il gol: vien da sé, deve solo stare tranquillo. Di Michele è il classico giocatore che vorrei sempre con me e mai contro: ha qualità superiori, segna, fa segnare, irretisce l'avversario. Insomma, un bel rompiscatole per qualsiasi difesa. Però, e lo dice uno che il Toro lo conosce bene b! ene, il valore aggiunto è un altro».

Ah s! ì? E chi , allora?
«Rino Foschi. Onore e merito alla scel­ta del presidente Cairo: è ciò che al Toro mancava da anni».

Ci spieghi perché.
«Ho incontrato il direttore Foschi la scorsa settimana, per caso. Abbiamo chiacchierato per un'oretta: mi ha fatto una grandissima impressione».

Siamo curiosi: vada avanti.
«Da quando vivo, direttamente o indirettamente, la quotidianità del Toro, non ricordo un dirigente così completo e ben calato in questa realtà comunque speciale. Io avevo un rapporto eccezionale con Cravero, ds molto appassionato, vicino alla squadra e secondo me pure competente. Foschi in più ha l'esperienza e una personalità che gli consentono di dire la sua in tutto, e con tutti. Vedrete che non sbaglio: saranno Foschi e Colantuono a traghettare fuori la squadra dalle secche in cui si è cacciata. Lasciateli lavorare, fidatevi di loro».

Nessuno s'è nemmanco azzardato a pensar! e il contrario...
«Sììì, lo so, sinora è stato così, però conosco bene Torino e la piazza che circonda il Toro. Non passa stagione senza che prima si metta in discussione l'allenatore, la squadra o il mercato. L'ambiente ha il processo facile, ma per costruire ci vuole tempo: non si può sempre mettere tutto in discussione, non si può cambiare tutto ogni anno».

Il Toro, in B, è condannato a vincere.
«E' evidente, però per vincere non basta essere più forti. Bisogna essere anche palluti e giocare con la necessaria tranquillità. Questa, sia chiaro, ora devono trasmetterla i giocatori alla tifoseria: con i risultati e con l'atteggiamento».

Che sensazione le dà questo Toro?
«Quello di essere nettamente più forte della concorrenza, però senza ancora avere quella fame, quell'intensità e quella grinta che invece gli avversari mettono in ogni partita».

Sono 22 i convocati di Di Carlo

di Tiziana Garofalo

fonte chievoverona.it

Ci siamo. Ancora poche ore e la partita prnderà forma sul campo del Bentegodi. Questi i convocati di mister Di Carlo:

Sorrentino; Squizzi, Miskiewicz; Frey, Mandelli, Malagò, Mantovani, Morero, Sardo, Scardina, Yepes; Ariatti, Bentivoglio, Iori, Luciano, Marcolini, Pinzi; Abbruscato, Bogdani, De Paula, Granoche, Pellissier.

Catania, tabù spezzato

Di:Sebastiano Battiato
Fonte:lasiciliaweb.it

Il Catania rompe il tabù. All'ottavo tentativo, i rossazzurri conquistano la prima vittoria in campionato superando il Cagliari grazie al decisivo guizzo di Martinez nel finale. In una gara bloccata tra due formazioni che giocano guardandosi allo specchio, non è semplice trovare varchi. Spazi intasati, frequenti raddoppi di marcatura e poche emozioni. La differenza la fanno il talento che ispira le giocate chiave di Ricchiuti e Dessena, quest'ultimo autore di un gol da antologia in rovesciata, e la tenuta mentale del Catania, che! allontana la contestazione in arrivo credendo sino in fondo alla vittoria e trovandola grazie alla combinazione tra il nuovo entrato Morimoto, prezioso per vivacizzare le offensive catanesi, e Martinez, autore di una prova in crescendo.Con Campagnolo preferito ad Andujar in porta, Augustyn promosso titolare in extremis al posto di Bellusci (bloccatosi per un risentimento muscolare) e un tridente inedito formato da Ricchiuti rifinitore alle spalle di Mascara e Martinez, il Catania è monocorde e non impensierisce il Cagliari, a sua volta ordinato ma nulla più. Moduli speculari e squadre che si annullano a vicenda per larga parte della prima frazione di gioco. Nei primi 35 minuti l'unico spunto degno di nota è un'accelerazione di Cossu, che serve Matri, autore di un diagonale di poco fuori. La monotonia del primo tempo è spezzata da due pregevoli gol che riscattano la noia precedente. Gli etnei passano per primi con un bello schema su punizione: tocco di Llama per Potenza, pa! lla a Mascara che al volo chiude il triangolo servendo Ricchiu! ti, lest o a girare in rete di prima intenzione. Il primo gol in A dell'argentino, seguito da un'esultanza polemica di Mascara nei confronti dei sostenitori in tribuna, zittiti a gesti dopo qualche fischio piovuto dagli spalti, fa guadagnare fiducia ai catanesi, che sfiorano il raddoppio con un sinistro di Marchese, potente ma d'un soffio a lato. Un attimo prima di andare negli spogliatoi, è Dessena a ristabilire l'equilibrio con una spettacolare rovesciata volante su cross dalla destra di Marzoratti. Gesto tecnico da manuale, che strappa applausi anche al pubblico di casa e produce qualche attimo di tensione in campo, dove Potenza protesta con l'autore del gol per la sua esultanza, ritenuta troppo plateale.L'incontro si anima un po' nella ripresa, quando il Catania cerca di alzare il ritmo aprendo anche qualche spazio che il Cagliari tenta di sfruttare nelle ripartenze, peraltro mai portate a conclusione. La formazione di Atzori reclama un rigore per una chiusura di Astori su Mascar! a, poi ci prova con un colpo di testa fuori di Silvestre su corner di Llama e va a un passo dal gol con Martinez, che si gira bene in area ma colpisce la traversa con un destro ravvicinato. La spinta dei padroni di casa sembra esaurirsi, il pubblico comincia a contestare, ma a tre minuti dalla fine i rossazzurri trovano la giocata risolutrice: Morimoto indirizza in area un cross che Martinez corregge in rete di testa sovrastando Astori e regalando alla gente del Massimino la prima gioia stagionale.

#020 Convocazioni del 14 Gennaio 2008

Tim Cup - Coppa Italia
Ottavi di finale ad eliminazione diretta
Inter - Genoa Radiocronaca: Francesco Repice
Bordocampo: Tarcisio Mazzeo

#111 MinutoxMinuto 13

La redazione di Tutto il calcio Blog ha fatto la sua scelta: il match clou dell' ultimo turno di Serie A è stato l'anticipo del Sabato sera, il big match dell' Olimpico tra Roma e Juventus con la dilagante vittoria dei bianconeri per 4-1.

Quindi microfono al radiocronista Francesco Repice e seconda voce Massimo Barchiesi.

Convocazioni del 20 Giugno

Play-off Serie B - Finale di Ritorno -
Sabato 20 Giugno 2009
Livorno - Brescia
Radiocronista: Antonello Orlando *
Seconda voce: Ugo Russo *


* Queste convocazioni vengono conteggiate nella classifica Coppe/Nazionale come da regolamento

Tutto il calcio n°5

Tutto il Calcio Serie B
Giornata 3
(Domenica 06/09 ore 15.00)
Conduce: Alfredo Provenzali

1 Lecce - Frosinone Enzo Del Vecchio
2 Empoli - Crotone Enzo Baldini
3 Albinoleffe - Ancona Giuseppe Bisantis
4 Grosseto - Gallipoli Tonino Raffa
5 Cesena - Cittadella Giovanni Scaramuzzino
6 Salernitana - Modena Gianfranco Coppola

Padova - Piacenza RINVIATA
Reggina - Vicenza RINVIATA
Sassuolo - Triestina RINVIATA

ALTRI SPORT: Collegamenti con Istanbul per l'Europeo maschiele di volley.! Interventi di Simonetta Martellini

Anticipi e posticipi
Ascoli - Mantova (Anticipo)
Radiocronista: Emanuele Dotto

Brescia - Torino (Posticipo)
Radiocronista : Antonello Orlando
Seconda voce: Ugo Russo

Cinquanta Episodio 03

Recuperiamo la puntata di Cinquanta della settimana scorsa, con ospiti Sergio Brighenti e Tonino Raffa.
Ci scusiamo per la bassa qualità audio.
Parte 1

Parte 2

Parte 3

Risultati e + di 1000 Visite sul Blog

Per chi non è attento sono arrivati i risultati. Vedi a destra. E come previsto la classifica è molto bella!!! E il Blog di Campos ha raggiunto 1.000 visite in pochi giorni!!

Pasquà puoi fare le QUOTE Fanta-SNAI per domenica prossima? Vorrei scommettere 10 euro sulla vittoria della Tofa che sicuramente sarà data almeno 5 a 1. Cosi se perdo vinco 50 euro, se vinco sono contento lo stesso.... O no? Smile :))

Mercato

Scambio tra le Società amiche Mani Pulite e Real Marcina

Il difensore Ale Gamberini della Fiorentina viene ceduto a titolo definitivo alla squadra di Mister Passafiume

in cambio del centrocampista palermitano Bosko Jankovic

ASTA FINO ALLE 17.30

Ho cambiato l'orario perchè mi sono reso conto che per dare le formazioni bisogna inviarle entro le 18. E quindi per dare la possibilità all'eventuale nuovo acquirente di schierare Grygera in Juventus-Roma l'asta deve scadere prima. Quindi il termine dell'asta è alle 17.30. Ciao, R

-------- FANTA EBAY: DIFENSORE TITOLARE DELLA JUVE ------

Allora. Divertiamoci un pò. Inauguriamo un nuovo metodo. Il Fanta-Ebay. Il presidente dell'Armata ha deciso di mettere all'asta il calciatore GRYGERA della Juventus. Titolare fisso con 8 presenze in campionato e SEMPRE presente anche in Champions. Insomma una certezza sempre in campo.

L'asta scade domani sabato alle ! ore 17.30. Questo per dare il tempo al nuovo acquirente di schierarlo nel big match Juventus-Roma. E ovviamente nella prossima partita Chievo-Juventus. Il fantacalcio di Repubblica che è quello ufficiale valuta il calciatore 8 crediti. La Gazzetta non lo so, penso intorno a 10 crediti. Comunque la base di partenza per l'asta è ovviamente più bassa, pari all'investimento effettuato per acquistare il calciatore questa estate. La base d'asta è di soli 3 crediti. Quindi la prima eventuale offerta deve essere di 3 crediti.

Se vi interessa il calciatore per rinforzarvi in difesa fate la vostra offerta. Le regole sono semplici. Vi chiedo di essere delle persone serie: senza offerte fasulle ma solo con offerte serie e confermate. E di evitare qualsiasi commento sull'iniziativa, sul giocatore e sulle offerte. Tutto come durante l'asta insomma. Smile :)

Ovviamente anche io mi comporterò seriamente e qualsiasi sarà l'offerta il calciatore v! errà assegnato inderogabilmente al miglior offerente domani sa! bato all e ore 17.30.
Saluto con una piccola lacrima il calciatore Grygera tutto grinta e corsa.

Ciao, Raffaele

Semifinali di Coppa

The countdown begins

The countdown to next year's World Cup in South Africa starts now. Thanks for joining me on the journey to Soccer City Johannesburg, venue for the final on July 11th 2010.

Incidentally, you're joining a blogger who compares football-free summers with the scene in Misery where Kathy Bates breaks James Caan's legs.

I experience similar gut-wrenching pain every two years as the rest of the nation hoorahs its way through the lawn tennis championships and cricket games.

And yes I know we've had the Confederations Cup, but it's just not the same, is it?

Thankfully the football starts again in August, promising much before the international squads muster in May for what is officially known as 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM.

Here it will be known as World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010. I have decided to do this for two reasons. One, Bafana Bafana or 'The Boys' is the nickname of the South African team. Two, I just like it.
That's enough background. Keep coming back for more on the teams who qualify throughout the summer and autumn. Eventually this blog will include reports, analysis, the World Cup final draw, and lots of other stuff.

World Cup Bafana Bafana 2010 here we come!

Euro 2016: Disclosed the Official logo of the Italian bid

sThe Italian FA to deliver bid by 15 Feb 2010

The stylization of a tri-colored balloon shades of blue and a touch that encompasses the geographic center of Italy: is the image of the logo unveiled today by the Italian Football Federation to support the Italian candidate at Euro 2016, which will be allocated by UEFA Executive Committee in May 2010.

"Euro 2016 - said the Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete - may represent an historic opportunity to transform the quality, safety and friendliness of the Italian stadiums and continue as the project of cultural renewal of the football system that we are implementing in recent years in Italy. Our application must be the best calling card for the system if all of Italy, political, sports bodies, members of the football fans, will support us with enthusiasm and concreteness. "

The logo was developed by the local Polline Agency, which works at national and international institutions a! nd sports clubs. The image combines the tricolor of the Italian flag, which symbolizes the blue jersey of the national team four times world champion and the "boot" has always identified with the value of "Made in Italy".

The Italian candidature for the European Championship Finals 2016, which for the first time will see 24 teams involved, provides for a batch of 12 cities to host the 51 races planned (36 in the first round, 15 by knockout in the final). The choice of the Italian Football Federation has confirmed the city already selected for Euro 2012: Bari, Bologna, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Rome, Turin, Udine and Verona.

The complete Bid will be delivered to UEFA by 15 February. Positive findings have emerged from meetings held in Naples, Cagliari and Verona, with the municipal authorities and representatives of football clubs. The round of consultations will continue in the coming days with mayors and managers of clubs in o! ther cities included in the application. Two additional compar! isons wi th Uefa after the one relating to safety and stages of last 11, are planned October 1 on matters related to logistics and transport (railways, airports, mobility) to the addresses by the representatives of Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Tourism, Assoaeroporti, ENAC, ENAV, Anci, Civil Defense, Alitalia, State Railways, October 6 on trade issues / legal and application procedures.


Download the logo of the Italian bid for Euro 2016

Sid Lowe in Spain

Real Madrid are finally in touching distance of the leaders. As their No1 fanatic Tomás Roncero might put it: 'Come out Barça – you're surrounded!'

Relentless Real Madrid scent Barcelona blood in dogged pursuit of title.

English Angle: Big Game, Huge Goal - Who Doubts Cristiano Ronaldo Now?

Manchester United made history in a tight encounter won off the back of an unbelievable strike from a man many misguided people still believe to be a big-game bottler, and so Goal.com's Mike Maguire is on the scene to split fact from fiction...

FIFA Confederations Cup: Brazil 3 - 0 United States

The United States never looked like securing the point needed to maintain a realistic chance of progress and didn't manage a chance until substitute Benny Feilhaber hit the bar with seven minutes left.

Report

Carlisle: U.S. team taught a painful lesson
Trecker: U.S. fans should be disgusted
Rogers: Sense of disarray and negativity surround US camp

Player Ratings




I am, in fact, disgusted...-Sanford