SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2009/2010 - ROUND 2 SUNDAY GAMES & RESULTS

Mou Pencairan Dana Persibo Diteken

BOJONEGORO - Komite Nasional Olahraga Indonesia (KONI) Kabupaten Bojonegoro
menujukkan komitmennya untuk segera mencairkan dana Rp 6,5 miliar untuk Persibo dari APBD Bojonegoro 2009. "Sekarang tinggal Persibo bagaimana dan kapan dicairkan," kata Ketua KONI Bojonegoro M. Taufik usai penandatanganan memorandum of understanding (MoU/nota kesepahaman) antara Pengcab PSSI Bojonegoro dan KONI Bojonegoro untuk pencairan uang, kemarin (28/10).

Dia menjelaskan, setelah MoU ini diteken, manajemen Persibo harus segera mengajukan dana agar bisa dicairkan. Hanya, dana sebesar itu tak seluruhnya bisa dicairkan. Sebab,

setiap pencairan uang, setelah satu bulan harus dilengkapi dengan SPJ (surat pertanggung jawaban). "Terus apakah dalam sebulan bisa membuat SPJ," ujarnya.

Karena itu, dia meminta manajemen Persibo melakukan pencairan per bidang kegiatan. Sehingga. nantinya akan lebih mudah dalam membuat SPJ. "Paling tidak bisa dica! irkan dalam dua atau tiga termin," terangnya.

Sementara itu, Manajer Persibo Letkol Inf Taufik Risnendar mengungkapkan, hari ini pihaknya akan membuat ajuan pencairan tahap pertama. Soal nilainya, dia mengaku belum tahu karena masih dalam penghitungan. "Kita masih hitung dulu," katanya.

Saat ini, kata komandan Kodim 0813 Bojonegoro itu, manajemen sudah memperoleh keterangan mengenai cara pengajuan dana yang terdiri dari empat syarat. Paling tidak hari ini uang tersebut sudah bisa dicairkan. "Selambat-lambatnya Jumat kami harap sudah cair," paparnya. Sehingga, manajemen tak perlu lagi meminjam kepada pihak ketiga guna memenuhi kebutuhan tim.

Seperti diberitakan, sebelumnya dana Persibo dalam APBD 2009 dianggarkan Rp 6,5 miliar di dinas pendidikan. Namun, karena tidak bisa dicairkan melalui pos tersebut, dana Persibo akhirnya dialihkan ke KONI Bojonegoro sebagai bentuk hibah untuk diteruskan ke Persibo. (ade)

WPSL season review

As expected the WPSL title race was a two horse race between Ajax America and FC Indiana.
Both clubs dominated their respective divisions before facing each other in league semi-finals with FC Indiana advancing on penalties and going on to win its second league title in three years, 3-0 over New England.

Last season champions Long Island faced tough division competition in Tony DiCicco's Soccer Plus Reds and were defeated in playoffs by a rapidly improving Atlantic City coached by Matt Driver.

The South Division was once again dominated by Tampa Bay Elite, while the Southwest Division offered very little.

Champions: FC Indiana
Player of the Year: ?
Coach of the Year: ?
Overachievers: Atlantic City
Underachievers: California Storm

Wilkins Named Wisconsin Coach

Paula Wilkins, head women's soccer coach at Penn State since 2001, has been named to the same position at the University of Wisconsin, Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez announced.

Freedom dominates Atlanta

The Washington Freedom does not have its WUSA stars, but it has a bit of that firepower.
The Freedom dominated the Atlanta Silverbacks of the W-League en route to a 4-1 exhibition win Thursday night at SAS Soccer Park in front of 1,014 fans.

Washington, which started five former ACC soccer players, went scoreless for much of the first half before before Joanna Lohman and Kele Golebiowski scored goals in the 41st and 42nd minutes. It added two goals in the second half, outshooting the Silverbacks 29-8.

U23: USA 1, Norway 0

The US U-23 Women's National Team took on Norway earlier today in La Manga, Spain. Yael Averbuch scored for the US in the 73 minute.

Dani Pedrosa could miss Laguna Seca

Monday, 14 July 2008
It was a beautiful on board camera on the straight line in Sachenring when suddenly Pedrosa fell down. It was a massive fall that his bike 'jumped' over the fence, he was hurt I could see that. dr. Claudio Costa already stated that he could miss US Grand Prix if the hand injury he sustained in Germany requires surgery.

Another thing was quite interesting that only Andrea Dovizioso was from Michelin riders who finished in top 5, 40 seconds adrift of winner Casey Stoner.

Rossi indeed has done a great race, he started from 7th grid and fight hard to reclaim 2nd position until t! he end of the race. He assured that he must start from a front row to stop Stoner winning again as Stoner really does have an advantage over his bike and his tires combination. Stoner rode brilliantly and Rossi just lost more time when Elias held his way.

Melandri? I just couldn't say any more, he crashed! and that's it. His manager stated they hope to stay in Ducati until 2009, but I don't see that long, there are no result of Macio's marriage to Ducati and split as soon as possible is the best answer for both of them, his fortunes ! really contradictory with the man who is in Suzuki now, Loris ! Capiross i. It is 110% that he will renew his contract. Karma for Macio? oh, no way... it's just racing... :)

Proteas Top ODI Table

South Africa are ranked the ICC's top one-day side for the last year.

The Proteas have registered impressive series wins over New Zealand, Pakistan, the West Indies and Bangladesh.

Australia however ended the 12-month period still as the world's top test team. Both the Aussies and the Proteas will get 175 US Dollars for their achievements, with the Australians getting an additional 75 thousand dollars for being runners up in the ODI rankings.

Wales stay cool and calm in the Cape

There's a worrying calmness around the Welsh team ahead of the opening test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The coach and players have deflected as much pressure as possible, despite touring as Six Nations Grandslam champions.

Red Dragons coach Warren Gatland believes he's picked a forward pack that can compete with the Boks, but expressed little confidence that the Six Nations champs can pull off a win against the World Champions. He says their aim is to put the Boks under a lot of pressure and earn the respect of the World Champions.

Gatland says media reports help in terms of getting news from the Bok camp, but admits that he's been kept guessing as to what the Boks are planning, remarking that Peter de Villiers has contradicted himself over the past few days. With all the talk that Adi Jacobs and Conrad Jantjes could start, Gatland says they expected that Percy Montgomery and Frans Steyn would walk into the starting 15.

Big day for Federer and Hewitt

Five times Wimbledon winner Roger Federer will be hoping to get one step closer to the finals when he meets Leyton Hewitt later today. However Hewitt is the last man to win Wimbledon before Federer. The Australian who is known for his aggressive playing style is feeling confident for his tie. He says he is going to play extremely well and the rest depends on Federer. If the world number one does win this game it will be his 66th on grass. Federer However is not underestimating his opponent saying he is a great competitor.

Live Sport Diary

Olympics dominate the live sport today, with a few South Africans in finals - hoping to get our first medal. In Cricket, India and Sri Lanka face off in a one day clash. Read more for a full schedule of live sport.

Olympics (Live on Supersport):
08:30 - 10:00 Volleyball: Men's Prelims - Egypt v Serbia SS6
08:30 - 10:15 Basketball: Men's Prelims - Greece v China SS7
08:30 - 11:30 Table Tennis Men's Team Bronze Match SS5
09:30 - 11:30 Weightlifting: Men's 105Kg - Group B Xtra2
09:30 - 11:45 Canoe/Kayak: Flatwater - Men's 1000M & Women's Kayak 500M Heats Xtra
10:30 - 13:00 Cycling: Track Session 5 SS6
10:45 - 12:30 Basketball: Men's Prelims - Angola v Spain SS7
12:00 - 14:15 Gymnastics: Artistic - Men's & Women's Apparatus Finals SS5
12:00 - 15:00 Football: Women's SF 2 Xtra
13:00 - 16:20 Athletics: Session 8 SS6
13:15 - 16:45 Equestrian: Indiv Jumping Qualif & Team Jumping Final Xtra2
13! :30 - 16:30 Table Tennis Men's Team Final SS7
14:25 - 15:00 Gymnastics: Trampoline - Women's Final SS5
15:00 - 18:00 Football: Women's SF 1 Xtra
16:20 - 16:45 Equestrian: Indiv Jumping Qualif & Team Jumping Final SS6
16:30 - 17:30 Diving: Women's 3m Springboard Final SS5
16:30 - 18:00 Triathlon: Women's Final SS7

Cricket:
06:15 - 15:00 Sri Lanka v India 1st ODI SS2

Breakfast Headlines

Natalie du Toit het haar derde goue medalje by die Paralimpiese Spele in Beijing ingepalm. Sy't haar eie wêreld rekord in die 200 meter wisselslag verbeter. Sy hoop om altesaam vyf goues huistoe te bring. Suid-Afrika is steeds 8ste op die ranglys met 'n totaal van 12 medaljes, 8 daarvan goud, een silwer en drie brons medaljes. Later vandag neem Du Toit in die 400 meter vryslag deel en Ernst van Dyk gaan in die fietsry meeding.

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Santos are hoping to get their first win of the season when they face Premiership newcomers, Bay United at Athlone tonight. Kick-off is at eight o'clock. In tonight's other match, Pirates take on Wits.
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An old rivalry resumes in the English Premier League tomorrow when Man United face Liverpool at Anfield. The Reds are hoping to have Steven Gerard and Fernando Torres fit, while United are likely to unleash new signing Dimitar Berbatov.
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West Ham's new manager, Gianfranco Zola, has promi! sed the Hammers will play exciting, attacking football.
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Western Province continue their campaign to finish in the top for in the Currie Cup when they host the Valke at Newlands tomorrow. Kick-off is at three o'clock. Province are still nine points behind the fourth placed Lions with four matches to play.
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Tonight Boland travel to Loftus to play the Blue Bulls at seven o'clock.
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SA A are in the driving seat against Sri Lanka A thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 152 between Andrew Puttick and Henry Davids. We were 388 for four after day one of the four day match at Willowmoore Park.
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Lance Armstrong has proved in the space of 48 hours why he is still one of the biggest superstars of modern sport. There's already been lots of interest in next year's Tour de France after Armstrong confirmed he'll be making a comeback. Bicycling magazine editor Tim Brink says it's great for Le Tour…
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Formula One championshi! p leader Lewis Hamilton is hoping to put the drama of Spa behi! nd him a t the Italian Grand Prix on this weekend. Apparently most drivers think the 25 second penalty, that saw the Mclaren driver drop from first to third, was too harsh.

Gibbs Punished for Bad Behaviour

Proteas opening batsman, Herschelle Gibbs, will play no further part in the one-day international series against Bangladesh because of an apparent alcohol problem.

Gibbs has been sent back to Cape Town after breaking the team's code of conduct before the Twenty20 international with Bangladesh last night, which the Proteas won by 12 runs. Gibbs however won't be replaced in the squad and it's expected that Justin Ontong will open the innings with Hashim Amla.

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur has lambasted Gibbs, saying his behaviour is unacceptable in the team context.

This is what team manager, Dr. Mohammed Moosajee had to say:

"We are not trying to punish Herschelle but rather to help him," commented Dr Moosajee. "He has been under a lot of pressure lately, notably from the publicity surrounding his recent divorce. It is clear that he has developed a problem that needs to be addressed.

"Herschelle can r! ely on the full support of CSA to get his life back on an even keel again. He still has a lot to offer South African cricket and his many fans but this has to be done in line with team structures and disciplines."

The Nashua Cape Cobras have refused to comment on the issue and said Gibbs will be off-limits.

Gerrard Charged

Steven Gerrard has had a contrasting 48 hours after the Liverpool captain was charged with assault during an alleged altercation with a man at a night club after the Red's thrashed Newcastle 5-1 on Sunday where Gerrard scored two of the goals.

The England midfielder and two other men where arrested for an alleged brawl which took place in Southport just outside Liverpool where a man was taken to hospital for facial injuries.

The man was said to be the DJ at the club where the accused were found.

The Lounge Inn, the venue where the alleged row took place, had visible pieces of broken glass on the floor as well as spots of blood.

Gerrard was released on bail and will appear in the North Sefton Magistrates' Court on 23 January.

He will want to shift his Liverpool's next match against which is against Preston in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Santos boosted by break

Santos coach David Bright says his team have benefited from their two week international break.

The People's team is back in action on Sunday against Amazulu in a league game.

Santos will be eager to get back to winning ways as they were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup by Maritzburg United before the break.

Bright says he used the time off to prepare the team for the rest of the season.

"We worked with to get them ready for the six remaining matches in the league. We are preparing the team physically and technically and I happy with their progress."

Santos did get some game time by playing FC Cape Town and Ikapa while they were off. They beat the local sides 3-1 and 2-1 respectively.

Bright says the team managed to do something they don't to often in games and that is score goals.

Singapore Grand Prix: Massa snatches pole position

On this historic Grand Prix weekend, Felipe Massa captures pole position for tomorrow's Singapore Grand Prix with a lap of 1:44.801. Massa clearly has assumed the role of team leader in terms of the championship battle and in terms of speed. Massa has placed himself in an ideal position and we will see if Kimi Raikkonen will give Massa a helping hand in terms of dealing with Lewis Hamilton. With Raikkonen qualifying 3rd, right behind Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari can employ some very interesting team strategy particularly if he can get past Hamilton on the open laps.

In terms of points of interest:


1. Sebastien Bourdais. He is not able to buy a break with a car that clearly has some pace. He could not get out of Q1 and has not done well on street circuits this year. Traditionally this circuit type has been his strong suit given the number of races and experience he had while in the Champcar World Series.


2. Attrition. We have seen some ! reliability and crashes without the much talked about rain. In qualifying we saw Fisichella hit the wall and we saw Alonso's car quit on him with a fuel pressure problem, which was a shame as he had a very strong weekend up to this point. He could have had a top 4 start given the pace he was showing.


3. Kovalainen. After showing some strength, he has continued his solid but non-descript performances in a car that clearly has plenty of speed. We will see how he fairs in the race and if he is heavy on fuel. He was only 13th in Saturday's final practice, so perhaps he was working on heavy fuel loads. He managed to qualify 5th.

Notable performances: Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima of Williams. Traditionally Williams' cars have had very good mechanical grip. Hence, they generally perform well on street circuits where aerodynamics is not so prevalent. So here at Marina Bay circuit, the Williams duo has been strong all weekend and have qualified for the r! ace in 9th and 10th respectively.

Gillett And Hicks Still Live In Hope That Their Lies And Deceit Will Be Forgotten By Liverpool Fans

George Gillett's arrival on Merseyside last Saturday morning was greeted with great hostility. If the Reds co-owner was expecting the furore that surrounded events off the pitch over the past two years to have died down, he clearly underestimated the extent of his actions.

When Gillett and his business partner Tom Hicks strolled out onto the Anfield pitch in March 2007, they were given the most velvet of red carpet treatment by all connected with the club. They were the new custodians who promised to start work within 60 days of their arrival on a 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park that would rival the current famous old ground for atmosphere and grandeur.

Fast-forward 30 months and Gillett is denying that he ever made that now infamous reference about the need to have "a shovel in the ground" and claims it was Hicks who made the claim. If the American ever has time in his hectic schedule of (al! leged) meetings with potential investors, he would do well to find the YouTube video of him saying those exact words. He was either lying or Tom Hicks is the world's greatest ventriloquist.

The purpose of largely absentee American's visit to his 'investment' was to rubber stamp a deal with Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud to build club-accredited youth academies in the Middle East. The prince of Saudi Arabia's first impression of the club will have been tainted by a welcoming committee of disgruntled supporters who confronted Gillett at Liverpool's training ground and the youth academy in Kirkby where he had taken solace after being collared at Melwood.

Fans also made their feelings known later that day in the Main Stand car park where they gathered in numbers to vent their frustrations at the current predicament. Whilst Gillett and his royal guest soaked up the match day atmosphere from the comfort of the directors' box, supporters stepped up thei! r protests and unfurled non-offensive banners, reminding Gille! tt of th e broken promises he and Hicks had made to the club and its fans, at the front of the Kop.

Club officials drafted in police to do their dirty work by having the banners removed from view and then confiscated. The hierarchy are more than happy cash in on the vast array of banners and wavers that adorn the famous terrace every other week as the focal point of selling the Anfield experience to whoever is gullible enough to spend a small fortune in the ground and leave the club shop tills endlessly ringing; but when that famous 12th man takes issue with the less than professional goings on away from the floodlights, they do their utmost to stifle their voice. In light of this, perhaps the PA announcement that signals the club's safety drill should be rebranded "Standby for Operation Fascist State Anfield".

Gillett and Hicks still live in hope that their lies and deceit will be forgotten with a few resounding wins on the pitch like the one against Hull last ! weekend but the club's diehard supporters are not easily swayed as the day-tripping masses the pair encourage to flock to Anfield. News this week that the Americans have embarked on a search for fresh investment has been greeted with cautious optimism by the tirelessly devoted fans who continue to strive to prise their beloved club away from the incapable hands which it currently finds itself.

Steven Gerrard Ruled Out Of England Qualifier Against Belarus After Training Injury

Steven Gerrard will miss England's final World Cup qualifying match against Belarus at Wembley tomorrow after limping out of training this morning.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, confirmed the Liverpool captain had been sent back to his club to have his troublesome groin injury assessed. "He didn't finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday," Capello said. "He's going back to Liverpool."

David James, the England goalkeeper, also missed training as he continues to struggle with the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the season. With Robert Green suspended C! apello may be forced to recall Ben Foster despite his recent poor form.

"[James] had some problems with his knee," Capello said. "He's getting better, he'll stay with us and tomorrow we'll decide. I will speak with him tomorrow. The other players are fit. There are some little problems but not so big to be a problem."

Gerrard was already rated doubtful for the game against Belarus, having been substituted with a groin injury at half-time during the 1-0 defeat by Ukraine on Saturday, but his failure to complete this morning's training session at London Colney ruled him out of tomorrow's game.

It means that James Milner, who replaced him in Dnepropetrovsk, looks likely to start a senior international game for the first time on the left wing, with Gabriel Agbonlahor, his Aston Villa team-mate, favourite to replace the injured Wayne Rooney.

With qualification already assured, Capello is unlikely to be too perturbed about the injury to! Gerrard, but Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may be mo! re worri ed, having also seen Fernando Torres pick up a knock during Spain' s victory over Armenia on Saturday.

Although Benitez would not have wanted Gerrard to play tomorrow, Liverpool have a series of big matches coming up – away to Sunderland, at home to Lyons in the Champions League and at home to Manchester United – and their captain's fitness will suddenly be a prime concern.

Lucas Gives Rafa Backing

Lucas Leiva has vowed to repay Rafa Benitez for his faith, with the Liverpool boss now the man under pressure at Anfield.

Brazilian Lucas has constantly been scrutinised by fans for his unconvincing displays in a Reds shirt since his arrival from Gremio in 2007.

Benitez has persistently defended the player's abilities, but now the tides have turned as the Spanish boss is under immense pressure as a result of Liverpool's dreadful form.

The Reds have lost four on the trot, with Benitez's future now the subject of much speculation, but Lucas will strive to reach his full potential during th! is tough period for the club.

"We are in a difficult moment, but we are the ones on the pitch and it is up to us to improve," he told The Times.

"Rafa is a really good manager and now we have to try to win for ourselves, but also for him because he has been really good for us and for me in particular.

"He gave me opportunities and he gave me confidence, so now I want to pay him back by playing well, working and performing as he expects me to."

Lucas is yet to win over Liverpool fans and after the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in the summer, the Brazil international has at times been made a scapegoat for failing to replace the Spaniard sufficiently.

The 22-year-old believes a stereotypical view of Brazilian footballers does not work in his favour, as his role is different to that of the typical Samba star.

He said: "Everybody knows I had difficult times here, especially with the people who criticised! me.

"What I would say, though, is that the style o! f footba ll in the Premier League is totally different to Brazil.

"I know people sometimes expect Brazilian footballers to play a certain way - to have unbelievable skill, to be able to do tricks and be like Ronaldinho or Kaka, but I am in a different position, where you cannot do those things and you have to work for the team.

"This is my mentality, to try to help my team-mates. I cannot think too much of the criticism. All I can do is try and do my job and hopefully this will be good enough.

"Me and Javier (Mascherano) have to be aware of the counter-attack because we have to make sure that we give the defenders our support. Every team needs these kind of players."

Special Fashion & Design for Yui Aragaki

Yui Aragaki in one fashion from famous designers.

New venue for Alberta Ride

By John Hopkins

CALGARY, AB -- The community of Olds, AB will play host to the 2005 Alberta Ride for Sight. Details of the move to the Agricultural Society Fairgrounds in Olds were made official at a special kick-off for the 2005 event at the Calgary Motorcycle Show on Saturday.

The Alberta Ride will run June 10-12, with parades to the host site scheduled to leave from Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer on the morning of June 11. Olds has hosted the Ride in the past, but not since the late 1980's according to the event's assistant chair, Sue Dolan.

"We like to stick to the middle of the province [when chosing a host site] because we get riders from all over the province," Dolan said at the kick-off.

The Ride for Sight raises funds on behalf of The Foundation Fighting Blindness -- Canada to aid in research of retinal disease. Last year the various Rides across Canada raised $1.3 million. Of that, $86,000 came from the Alberta Ride.

The function at the Calgary show featured special guests Dr. William Stell from the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Torben Bech-Hansen, who works in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Calgary. Both discussed the developments being made in vision research thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Ride for Sight.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Stewart takes round 1

From Clear Channel Entertainment

TORONTO, ON – Kawasaki's James Stewart of Haines City, FL won the first Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP race of the season at Rogers Centre Saturday night. Honda's Davi Millsaps, of Cairo, GA won the Supercross Lites main event.

Stewart, racing in his inaugural Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP won the holeshot and led the first three laps in the Supercross class but crashed in turn 1. Carmichael, who started fourth worked his way into second place on lap 2 and moved into the lead after Stewart crashed. Stewart moved into second and swapped positions with Carmichael for the lead.

Carmichael led until lap 17 when Stewart moved into the lead and held on for his first-ever Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP win. Carmichael finished second, while Yamaha's Chad Reed of Australia finished third.

"Every time I ride I learn something new," said Carmichael. "It's alwa! ys motivating to get beat when you win a lot. It makes it fun to get your butt whipped. There's only one way to go and that's to get better. I will learn from James and get better."

"I felt really comfortable tonight," said Stewart. "I felt really strong this year and feel like I can get this. I knew the fans really wanted a race. If you have your butt kicked last year by this guy [Carmichael], you'd come ready to race too. I have been a winner my whole life and have a lot of work to do."

Honda's Andrew Short, of Colorado Springs jumped out to an early lead in the Supercross Lites class with KTM riders Josh Hansen and Nathan Ramsey in second and third, respectively. Short led the first six laps before pulling off the track due to a rough landing on the triple jump. Hansen led the next two laps but Millsaps made the pass on lap 9 and won his first race on a Honda.

Event Results

1. James Stewart, Kawasaki; 2. Ricky Carmichael, Suzuk! i; 3. Chad Reed, Yamaha; 4. Ivan Tedesco, Suzuki; 5. Nick Wey,! Honda; 6. Michael Byrne, Kawasaki; 7. Jason Thomas, Honda; 8. Justin Buckelew, Honda; 8. Jeff Gibson, Honda; 9. Doug DeHaan Thorndale, ON, Honda

Supercross Lites Event Results

1. Davi Millsaps, Honda; 2. Josh Hansen, KTM; 3. Billy Laninovich, Honda; 4. Jake Weimer, Honda; 5. Michael Willard, KTM; 6. Mitch Cooke, Brookfield, NS, Honda; 7. Brady Sheren, Surrey, BC, Kawasaki; 8. Ryan Lockhart, Springhill, NS, Suzuki; 9. Dennis Ewing, Honda; 10. Kyle Keast, Lindsay, ON, Honda

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge Results

1. R. Beaton; 2. K. Walker; 3. C. Strachan; 4. C. Moore; 5. M. Pepin; 6. B. Smethhurst; 7. M. Machan; 8. F. LeFlamme; 9. C. Buckley; 10. L. Godkin; 11. R. Piercey; 12. B. Wenner; 13. N. Learn; 14. B. Cormier; 15. T. Wilkin

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

2009 Mens Basketball Attendance: Kentucky, Xavier and Cincinnati

Kentucky ranked 1st in all of college basketball last year with an average attendance of 22,239 a game and a total of 422.547 fans in 19 home games. Rupp Arena holds 23,500 for basketball games. UK filled 95% of there seats last season, despite a down year.

Xavier ranked 41st in attendance with an average of 10,097 a game and a total of 151,456 fans in 15 home games. The Cintas Center holds 10,250 for basketball games. X filled 99% of there seats last year, not to shabby.

Cincinnati ranked 70th with an average attendance of 7,818 a game and total of 140,725 fans in 18 home games. Fifth Third Arena holds 13,176 for basketball games. UC filled 60% of there seats last year. It shows that in Cincinnati it's all about winn! ing (i.e. look at UC football (way up) and the Reds (down because of a decade of losing)).

One more reason to love Rey Maualuga

We're Back!

That's right. After nearly a 7 month hiatus The Sports Brief is back. Tristan Besse, myself (Rich Keefe), and possibly Brian Sharkey (still haven't heard from him) are going to pick up this blog thing where we left off. Even without the Shark 2 out of 3 ain't bad. I mean look at the Celtics last night without KG and Ray Ray. One of the new features to The Sports Brief will be UFC Rankings for each weight class by Tristan and me.

We will still discuss the world of sports specifically college and pro football, college and pro hoops, baseball, Olympics (I mean why not), and mixed martial arts (mma). So enjoy the resurgence and be sure to tell your friends.

Thanks for giving The Sports Brief another chance.

KO clips of the week

After watching the Phillies KO my Dodgers last night, and with the Red Sox on the brink of being KO'd by the Rays tonight, I thought I would pay tribute with yet another stirring rendition of The Sports Brief's KO clips of the week. As usual, we're posting three terrific KO clips courtesy of the internet. When looking for a rousing KO that will get you off your seat, I try and look for a trio of characteristics:

First and foremost is sheer brutality. It has to be vicious. I'm talking lights out, dropped like a bag of bricks and, when possible, moaning in pain. Second is humor. I like when there's humor involved. Something I might find humorous is one guy talking smack, initiating the fight, then getting slapped around like a thoroughbred at The Belmont. Third is the unexpected. It's always pleasant when KO's come out of nowhere. You're sitting there watching a clip knowing something bad is going to happen but giddy with excitement because you have no clue when it'! s coming. Then BOOM. Before you know it some poor sap is lying on the ground hoping it will all make sense. Today's clips embody all of these characteristics. Enjoy.



What I love about that KO was the poor guy trying to grab onto the black kid after getting laid out. All he wanted was for someone to hug him, console him, whatever. But homeboy laid the smackdown and wasn't done, continuing to beat the downed opponent with a plethora of kicks.



KO #2 certainly typified characteristics 1 and 2. That guy was out COLD and it happened in front of his girl, which is both brutal and funny. Now you could argue that because the KO occurred in the first couple seconds of the clip, it wasn't unexpected. But watch again. It was unexpected for the victim, who was trying to remove his jacket in anticipation of his throwdown when, with his hands caught in his jacket behind his back, big daddy dropped a bomb right down the pipe. So perhaps I'll change criteria #3. It can be unexpected for either the viewee (meaning us) or those participating in the actual video. By the way, the only thing that could have made this video better, and I almost wish they staged it just so we could think it happened, would have been to have the broad watch the love of her life get KO'd then leave with the other guy. I thought it might h! appen at the :12 second mark when the assailant returned, but it looked he was there more to assess the damage and claim victory than to claim the "Lady in Distress."



Can anyone tell me where Jeremy Williams is from? You may have seen him on the first couple seasons of The Contender. He was the guy who loved to tell fighters, "This is the last round of your life." I guess that's what happens when you get KTFO'd like this and realize you fought the last round of yours.

-Bess

UFC 100 Results

Undercard:

Shannon Gugerty defeated Matt Grice via Submission(Guillotine Choke) at 2:26 in the 1stRound
Tom Lawlor defeated CB Dollaway via Submission(Guillotine Choke) at :55 in the 1stRound
Dong Hyun Kim defeated TJ Grant via Unanimous Decision (30-26, All Three judges)
Jon Jones defeated Jake O'Brien via Submission(Guillotine Choke) at 2:43 in the 2ndRound
Jim Miller defeated Mac Danzig via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mark Coleman defeated Stephan Bonnar via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Card:

Yoshihiro Akiyama defeated Alan Belcher via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) in UFC debut
Dan Henderson defeated Michael Bisping via Knockout at 3:20 in the 2ndRound, one of the best knockouts I have ever seen.
Georges St-Pierre defeated Thiago Alves via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-45) to remain UFC Welterweight Champion
Brock Lesnar defeated Frank Mir via TKO(Strikes) at 1:58 in the 2ndRound to remain UFC Heavyweight Champion
Jon Fitch defeated Paulo Thiago via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28! , 29-28) in a live bout that followed the main event.
-Keef e

Kohlschreiber makes comeback

Second seed Philipp Kohlschreiber recovered from a set down to battle past Bjorn Phau and into the quarter-finals of the Open de Moselle in Metz.

German Kohlschreiber needed an hour and 49 minutes to see off his compatriot after dropping the first set, eventually winning 4-6 6-3 6-2.

Next up for Kohlschreiber is Evgeny Korolev of Russia, who also recovered from a set down to beat Denis Istomin 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-2)

Third seed Paul-Henri Mathieu of France beat Ma! rc Gicquel 7-6 (7-5) 6-4, while Germany's Andreas Beck, seeded seventh, was a 6-2 6-4 winner against Frenchman Thierry Ascione.

Also today there were first-round victories for French pair Michael Llodra and Sebastien Grosjean.

Isner serves notice to field

American John Isner served 21 aces as he edged past Thai wild card Kittipong Wachiramanowong 6-3 3-6 7-6.

Isner, seeded eighth, won a hard-fought encounter 6-3 3-6 7-6 in two hours and 12 minutes to move into the second round of the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok.

Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci also advanced to the second round after saving 11 of 12 break points to defeat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-4 7-6.

Cardiff City 1 Crystal Palace 1

The Championship game between Cardiff City and Crystal Palace at Ninian Park on Saturday, Oct 17 2009.

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones insisted there is not a personal vendetta between himself and Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock as tempers flared between the two clubs for the second game running.

Both managers were sent to the! stands at the last meeting of the teams seven months ago and again the sides clashed at the full-time whistle with both sets of players squaring up to each other in the tunnel.

Afterwards Jones said: "I will let the authorities deal with what happened after the game."

Jones sought to play down the rift between the sides and said Palace's physical approach on the pitch was no cause for concern. "I have never known any difference in the way Neil plays his teams," Jones added.

"I am not knocking that, it has been a way that he has played. I'm not saying whether it is right or wrong. It was a physical game and we do have history with them and the history will continue.

"I am good friends with Neil. I haven't got a problem with him, the game is done and finished. I have a lot of time and respect for him."

On the field, Warnock's men are fast becoming the side to avoid as Palace str! etched their unbeaten run to five games.

They took t! he lead when Alan Lee's header was diverted in off Cardiff captain Mark Hudson, only for the home side to hit back thanks to the efforts of Chris Burke.

After ploughing forward the midfielder squared the ball to team-mate Peter Whittingham, who tucked his shot beyond Julián Speroni.

Freddie Sears and Stern John both headed wide for the visitors after the break while Whittingham and Ledley each squandered opportunities to secure the win for high-flying Cardiff.

"I think it was all just hot air and they [Cardiff] were disappointed at not winning," admitted Warnock. "That's why the things that were said were said in the tunnel but I'm sure they wouldn't have been said if Cardiff had won. It's not our fault if people wait for us in the tunnel."

Match details

Cardiff City: Marshall, Kennedy, Hudson, Gerrard, Matthews, Rae, Whittingham, Burke (Feeney 88), Ledley, Chopra, Bothroyd ! (McCormack 61)
Subs: Enckelman, McNaughton, Gyepes, Quinn, Taiwo.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Hill, McCarthy, Fonte, Butterfield, Derry, Ambrose (Scannell 46), Danns, Moses (Sears 16), N'Diaye, Lee (John 77).
Subs: Flahavan, Clyne, Hills, Ertl.
Booked: N'Diaye, Butterfield, Hill.
Referee: S Tanner (Somerset).

Turkcell Super Lig Review

Trabzonspor leapfrogged 10-man Kayserispor into fifth place with a 2-1 home win in the Turkcell Super Lig.

Trabzonspor had to come from a goal down after Ariza Makukula gave Kayserispor the lead in the 18th minute.

The hosts were in front by half-time, though, thanks to goals from Gokhan Unal (36) and then Ceyhun Gulselam (45) - and they hung on to the advantage in a match which saw defender Ali Turan sent off in the 70th minute.

Cilic breezes past qualifier

Marin Cilic had few problems claiming his place in the second round of the Austria Tennis Trophy.

The top seed from Croatia brushed aside Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-2 6-3 to set up a meeting with Daniel Brands of Germany.

Radek Stepanek also eased through, the Czech second seed overcoming Lukasz Kubot 6-4 6-1, while fourth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber beat German compatriot Dieter Kindlmann 6-1 6-3.

Feliciano Lopez, the 2004 champion in Vienna, ran ! out a 6-4 6-4 winner over Austrian wild card Andreas Haider-Maurer.

Jurgen Melzer found life a little more difficult against Marco Chiudinelli, the seventh seed eventually prevailing 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (12/10).

There were also wins for Philipp Petzschner and Jan Hajek in today's first-round matches.

Bryant stars as Lakers win

Kobe Bryant played a lead role with 31 points as the Los Angeles Lakers won 101-98 on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bryant's haul included key contributions in overtime as the NBA champions improved their record to three wins in four games this season.

The Dallas Mavericks had Dirk Nowitzki to thanks after he scored 40 points in a 96-85 victory over the Utah Jazz.

The Mavericks were 72-56 behind at one stage but a stunning 29 points from Nowit! zki in the final quarter altered the face of the game.

The Denver Nuggets preserved their unbeaten record after four games, winning 111-93 against the Indiana Pacers on the back of 25 points from Carmelo Anthony and 24 from Chauncey Billups.

In a head-to-head between teams with unblemished records this season, the Phoenix Suns preserved their unbeaten run and ended that of the Miami Heat.

The Suns won 104-96, with Steve Nash finishing the game with 30 points and eight assists.

The Boston Celtics also remain undefeated, thanks to a dominant performance against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia were poor from three-point range and slid to a 105-74 defeat, with Paul Pierce leading the Celtics' scorers with 21 points as they stretched their run to five wins from five games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a 102-90 win against the Washington Wizards, with Shaquille O'Neal grabbing 21 points.

Ben Gordon's 23-point haul helpe! d the Detroit Pistons to an 85-80 triumph over the previously! unbeate n Orlando Magic.

The Pistons were without stalwart Tayshaun Prince, whose back injury forced him to miss a game after 496 consecutive appearances.

British star Luol Deng inspired the Chicago Bulls to an 83-81 win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Deng's 24 points and 20 rebounds were vital as the Bulls came from 56-38 behind.

The Atlanta Hawks recovered from falling 25-15 down after the first quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 97-91, with Jamal Crawford scoring 27 points.

Non solo Arnautovic: anche altri giocatori hanno deluso a Piacenza

di Marco Spinelli
fonte: fcinternews.it

Mancini, Quaresma e Vieira erano chiamati a una dimostrazione di orgoglio. Ma hanno sprecato anche questa chance. Anche se i riflettori erano puntati soprattutto su di lui, non è stato solo Marko Arnautovic a deludere durante l'amichevole di Piacenza. L'austriaco doveva dimostrare di essere pronto per la Serie A e per un posto nell'attacco di Mourinho, ma anche altri più illustri colleghi hanno marcato visita a livello di prestazione. Mancini e Quaresma, che ormai i! l rettangolo di gioco lo vedono solo in caso di estrema necessità, hanno fatto vedere ben poco per convincere l'allenatore portoghese della loro utilità in questa squadra. Non è solo il modulo a tarpare, è il caso di dirlo, le ali, ma anche il loro momento di forma e l'atteggiamento con cui si misurano anche con un'amichevole. Il brasiliano, che ha disputato una prova negativa in Champions League a Kazan, è apparso volenteroso ma ancora un pesce fuor d'acqua in questa Inter, dove da un anno e mezzo è un corpo estraneo. E pensare che in estate si era convinto di laciare Milano per andare alla Roma o al Genoa, salvo poi farsi convincere a sua volta da Mourinho a rimanere a Milano. Ma, ad oggi, questa scelta non sembra in grado di pagare. Non è una bocciatura, sia ben chiaro, da qui a gennaio Mancini potrà fruire magari di altre occasioni, ma a Piacenza ha fatto ben poco oltre al gol del momentaneo vantaggio su rigore.Non ha fatto neanche questo Ricardo Quaresma, deciso a rima! nere all'Inter a tutti i costi durante il mercato estivo e ogg! i sempre più ai margini della squadra. Un'ala offensiva come lui fatica, come Mancini, a trovare spazio in una squadra che di ali oggi non ha più bisogno e, se da qui a gennaio le cose non dovessero cambiare, il Trivela potrebbe chiedere di essere ceduto, così come accaduto a gennaio scorso quando l'Inter lo prestò al Chelsea. Dietro questo cambio di rotta (per cui tornerebbe in corsa il Genoa), il desiderio di non perdere la nazionale, che ha ancora chance di qualificazione ai prossimi Mondiali dopo il successo ai danni della Svezia. Mentre i connazionali lottavano per andare in Sudafrica, Quaresma giocava un'amichevole contro una squadra di Serie B, primo impegno concreto dopo tanta panchina e tribuna. Una situazione che non può non farlo riflettere. Discorso a parte merita Vieira, anch'egli poco produttivo sabato pomeriggio al Garilli, ma con la testa probabilmente già altrove. Lui lo ha ammesso candidamente, se da qui a gennaio non troverà spazio, cambierà squadra.

Acori: "Palermo? Il Livorno non può sbagliare"

di Davide Pampanin

Acori: "Palermo? Il Livorno non può sbagliare"


Nel corso di un'intervista rilasciata a "Mediterraneonline" l'ex allenatore del Livorno, Leonardo Acori, ha parlato del prossimo match tra i labronici e il Palermo. "E' una partita da tripla perchè il Palermo viene da una grande vittoria e il Livorno ha bisogno di tornar! e a vincere. Gli amaranto stanno giocando bene, li ho visti contro Juventus e Fiorentina, non meritavano la sconfitta. Hanno bisogno di punti. Per quanto riguarda il Palermo, ho visto che con il nuovo modulo, il 3-4-1-2, è andata bene. Oltre alla vittoria c'è stato un grande gioco e questo da una grande forza e consapevolezza nei propri mezzi. Il Livorno però non può sbagliare, sarà una gara aperta".
In seguito Acori ha parlato del duo Russo-Ruotolo, attualmente alla guida della sua ex squadra. "Bisogna dare tempo agli allenatori. Il Livorno sta giocando bene. Gennaro Ruotolo è stato bravo a gestire la finalissima l'anno scorso, non è mai facile, è stato bravo. Però, senza volermi attribuire dei meriti, certamente arrivare e gestire una retrocessione visto l'ambiente livornese l'anno scorso non era facile".

CHIEVO, LA VOGLIA MATTA DI MORO

di Marco Spinelli
fonte: Leggo

Ha una voglia matta di tornare. Ma il ginocchio sinistro gli crea ancora qualche problemino, che lo sta costringendo ai box. Fabio Moro, 34 anni, undicesima stagione alla corte del Chievo, si allena a parte, in attesa di conoscere il suo futuro. "Non ho certo voglia di mollare adesso. Sono pronto a qualsiasi cosa, pur di tornare a lavorare col gruppo per essere ancora a disposizione dell'allenatore. Il ginocchio mi dà ancora un po' fastidio e stiamo valutando la! strada migliore per risolvere il problema. Servisse un intervento chirurgico, sono pronto"

Parla con voce calma e sicura, il guerriero di Bassano del Grappa, trapiantato a Verona dal gennaio del 1999. Nello spogliatoio è stimato e rispettato. E' uno dei grandi saggi, generoso sul campo, incline al sacrificio, anche adesso che è costretto ad andare a ritmo ridotto. "A parte la mia situazione, sono molto contento di come sta andando la squadra. Siamo partiti bene (solo due ko, con Juve e Lazio, quindi cinque risultati utili consecutivi fino alla sosta), stiamo giocando un buon calcio e abbiamo conquistato un buon bottino di punti (11). L'Europa? Eh, andiamoci piano. L'esperienza insegna che dobbiamo mantenere la giusta umiltà e non pensare di avere già la salvezza in tasca. Siamo ancora agli inizi, 7 partite sono poche. Ci saranno momenti difficili, dovremo essere pronti"

Cagliari: si ferma anche Lopez

di Davide Pampanin

16/10/2009 13:06:29 PM

fonte: datasport.it

Milano, 16ottobre - I rossoblù proseguono nella preparazione per la trasferta di Catania con la consueta doppia seduta del giovedì. Nel corso della mattinata, il gruppo ha lavorato in palestra, mentre nel pomeriggio si è concentrato sul riscaldamento tecnico, esercitazioni in fase di possesso e non possesso palla, per chiudere con la partitella finale.Ancora differenziato per Pisano, Nenè e Lopez, che ha accusato nuovamente un leggero problema ! alla caviglia e rischia così di saltare la gara del Massimino. Domani pomeriggio a Ussana è in programma la tradizionale amichevole del giovedì contro una rappresentativa locale.

Ranieri "Manca Totti, voglio una reazione"

di Rocco Fortunato

fonte:eurosport.it

Il tecnico giallorosso si aspetta il meglio dai suoi, anche senza capitano, con cui dice di aver instaurato un buon rapporto da subito, improntato sulla stima e sulla simpatia Se il Milan deve ancora abituarsi a non avere più Kakà, la Roma dovrà dimostrare di saper fare a meno di Totti, fermato da un problema al ginocchio destro. E' uno dei problemi di Ranieri, che si definisce un ambizioso, alla vigilia della sfida con i rossoneri, una partita per cui dice: "Non firmerei per un pareggio, né per domani né mai. Altrimenti me ne rimarrei a casa, invece io voglio giocarmele tutte".

"Io lavoro per raggiungere il massimo, dai miei giocatori e prima di tutto da me stesso, senza illudere i tifosi. Io voglio sempre arrivare lassù, guardo sempre avanti. Questa è una! buona squadra, una squadra forte che ha vissuto un momento pa! rticolar e, ci stiamo ritrovando ma dobbiamo lavorare sodo", sottolinea il tecnico giallorosso.

Contro il Milan "sarà importante - spiega - perché potrò vedere la reazione della squadra all'assenza di Totti". Qualche tempo fa lo stesso gruppo vinse a Milano nelle stesse condizioni: "Sì, ma quella era una squadra con il vento in poppa - replica - Noi stiamo meglio adesso, ma non ci dimentichiamo da dove veniamo. Abbiamo una continuità di risultati ma ancora dobbiamo fare molto". E il molto per Ranieri significa anzitutto "riportare questa squadra ai livelli di due anni fa, perché le potenzialità per fare cose importanti ce le ha e lo ha dimostrato proprio due anni fa. Per me contano i punti, questa squadra ha grandissime cap! acità e quando sarò riuscito a riportarla lì dov'era due anni fa sarò più contento".

Di certo, oltre all'assenza del capitano, c'è il ritorno di Doni: "Sta bene e giocherà". Il portiere operato lo scorso maggio, per un problema al ginocchio, non gioca da aprile. In panchina dovrebbe rivedersi Baptista, che, al pari di Cicinho, è in lista ma "non è ancora pronto", come ha spiegato il tecnico. Gli assenti, oltre al n. 10 (che comunque si è sottoposto a una visita di controllo, già programmata), sono Motta e Juan. Giocherà Mexes al fianco di Burdisso: "L'ho visto in crescita, mi è piaciuto nell'amichevole dell'altra sera", le parole dell'allenatore.

Di Totti invece dice: "Il ginocchio non gli fa più male, ma dobbiamo andare cauti". Il rapporto tra i due sembra nato proprio sotto una buona stella, tanto che il capitano ha dedicato al suo mister parole di stima, rilasciate alla rivista Romanista ("E' romano, come me ha il gusto della battuta, non credo ci saranno mai problemi tra di noi"). "Credo che lui mi rispettasse anche prima di conoscermi, stessa cosa vale per me. L'ho sempre considerato un campione", gli ha risposto Ranieri, che non entra però nel tormentone su Totti in Nazionale. "Fatemi prima diventare il ct azzurro, poi risponderò a questa domanda. Vorrei allenare la Nazionale? E chi non vorrebbe, che allenatore sarei se non avessi questa ambizione?". E, sullo sfogo di Lippi dopo la gara con Cipro, dichiara: "Un tecnico deve sempre difendere la sua squadra, ma sempre rispettare i tifosi ! che pagano il biglietto".

Salernitana, ingaggiato Jadid

di Filippo Capurso

Fonte: solosalerno.it

La Salernitana ha ingaggiato nella giornata di oggi il centrocampista marocchino classe '83 Abderrazzak Jadid. Il calciatore ex Brescia e Bari è reduce 2 annate negative dopo aver disputato 21 presenze condite da un gol nella stagione 2006/07 con le Rondinelle. Attualmente svincolato, Jadid ha firmato un contratto biennale con la Salernitana.
Jadid ha dichiarato al sito ufficiale di essersi allenato da solo e di essere pronto a lavorare con i compagni già da lunedi, con l'intento di salvare la Salernitana e riscattare le ultime annate negativ! e.

#034 Highlights sulla 20a di Serie A

16 goal nel primo tempo sono un biglietto da visita niente male. Alla faccia di chi dice che il nostro calcio per club sia noioso, in questa prima di ritorno se ne sono viste di tutti i colori: rigori sbagliati in serie, sconfitte interne inaspettate, e molto altro. La classifica in testa e in coda è apertissima e non abbiamo nemmeno il tempo di digerire questa giornata perché mercoledì si gioca di nuovo. Noi intanto scopriamo questo turno.

Reggina - Chievo Vr. 0-1 : La partita è piena di capovolgimenti ma è subito chiaro che stiamo parlando di una sfida fra le peggiori della serie. La Reggina si auto-distrugge e un' ora in dieci pesa a fine match quando un bolide di Italiano da fuori regala al Chievo tre punti d'oro e un premio eccessivo per quanto visto in campo.

Juventus - Fiorentina 1-0 : Il campo premia una buona Juve dove Buffon al rientro e Marchionni sono uno scalino sopra gli altri. La viola non fa la spettatrice pa! ssiva e qualche ingiustizia arbitrale non gli permette il pareggio che sarebbe stato il risultato più giusto.

Bologna - Milan 1-4 Manca solo la continuità a questo Milan per puntare allo scudetto. Gli uomini ci sono, Kaka sembra rinato dopo il polverone, basta puntellare la difesa per avere una squadra a posto per puntare allo scudetto. Il Bologna si illude con il vantaggio ma l'inferiorità della squadra è evidente e la classifica sicuramente non sorride.

Genoa - Catania 1-1 Finisce l'inferno lontano dal Massimino per la squadra di Zenga che in superiorità numerica rischia di strappare una vittoria esterna che manca dalla notte dei tempi. Qualche giocatore fuori forma, compreso Milito, fanno perdere agli uomini di Gasperini, l'occasione della fuga.

Lazio - Cagliari 1-4 La squadra di Rossi non scende in campo, e se scende non se ne accorge visto le quattro sventole prese dagli uomini di un Allegri sempre! più sorprendente. Comportamento ineccepibile per i sardi, mol! tissime cose da rivedere in casa biancazzurra dove spesso la mente distratta da altri affari offusca il gioco della squadra come dimostrano i due penalty sbagliati.

Lecce - Torino 3-3 Finalmente. Il 2-0 e l'ulteriore vantaggio leccese non fermano il vecchio cuore granata. Tutta la squadra merita gli applausi e il Lecce alla fine pare addirittura "graziato" da un pareggio che è ottimo per la classifica ancora precaria dei torinesi ma a Rosina & co. sta strettino.

Napoli - Roma 0-3 Partita nervosa in avvio: goal dubbi assegnati e non nei primi minuti . Poi lo strapotere giallorosso si fa sentire e la traballante difesa partenopea cade sotto i colpi di Vucinic e Baptista che fanno dimenticare l'assenza del Capitano. Il Napoli deve dimenticare la Champions, nuovo obiettivo rinvigorito degli uomini di Spalletti.

Palermo - Udinese 3-2 La squadra di Ballardini domina ma non è capace di chiudere e rischia fino all'! ultimo il pareggio bianconero. Per un Marino ormai al capolinea il problema non è di gioco né di uomini: è di testa. Non è possibile sprecare due volte il vantaggio e ora per i friulani la salvezza comincia a essere un problema.

Siena - Atalanta 1-0 Partita molto equilibrata. Il Siena in casa comanda ma Del Neri e i suoi uomini meriterebbero il pareggio per quanto mostrato al Franchi. Il problema rispetto alla settimana scorsa è anche in questo casa di carattere, forse troppo eccitato dopo il colpaccio di sette giorni fa.

Inter - Sampdoria 1-0 Una delle peggiori partite viste nel 2009. Brutto gioco, partita spigolosa, poche occasioni e qualche polemica. Posticipo da dimenticare per la capolista, che esce da San Siro con poche certezze se si escludono i tre punti di vantaggio mantenuti. Mourinho espulso se ne va con più crucci che certezze: sarà un girone di ritorno pieno di ostacoli e problemi.

#129 Highlights della 30^ giornata di Serie A

La trentesima giornata ci regala molte emozioni con le sue 24 reti. Ben sei i gol a Torino tra Juventus e Chievo Vr. L'Inter allunga in classifica proprio a danni della Juventus. Vincono tutte le squadre in lotta per l'Europa, ad eccezione della Lazio. Nella zona bassa perdono tutte le squadre con il solo Chievo che strappa un prezioso punto a Torino. Ma vediamo nel dettaglio le partite:

Atalanta – Fiorentina 1-2: Vittoria in rimonta per la Fiorentina che soprattutto nella ripresa offre una buona prestazione. L'Atalanta paga l'inferiorità numerica e! d è poco incisiva. Per i bergamaschi quinta sconfitta interna della stagione. La Fiorentina resta agganciata al treno per la champion's league, per i viola seconda vittoria consecutiva ed il ritorno alla vittoria esterna dopo tre gare in cui avevano ottenuto due pareggi ed una sconfitta.

Cagliari – Catania 1-0: Incredibile il campionato dei sardi che, dopo un inizio di stagione disastroso, si trovano ora in piena corsa per un posto in Uefa. Il Cagliari è alla sua seconda vittoria consecutiva e resta a meno quattro punti dalla zona Europa. Il Catania torna a perdere fuori casa dopo tre trasferte utili, dove aveva ottenuto una vittoria e due pareggi.

Juventus – Chievo Vr 3-3: Partita incredibile a Torino. Clivensi in vantaggio per due volte, poi raggiunti e superati, ed alla fine pareggio in extremis grazie ad un super Pellissier, autore di una tripletta. I bianconeri, apparsi so! ttotono, sono ora a nove punti dall'Inter. Per loro si interro! mpe la s triscia positiva di cinque vittorie consecutive, ma resta la serie utile di otto gare con sei vittorie e due pareggi. Per il Chievo un punto importante per la salvezza, i clivensi ora sono a più sette punti sulla terzultima e confermano il loro ottimo stato di forma con sette punti nelle ultime tre trasferte.

Palermo – Torino 1-0: Successo interno per i rosanero contro un Torino poco convincente. I siciliani disputano una partita ordinata dal punto di vista tattico e guadagnano tre punti fondamentali per continuare la rincorsa alla zona Uefa, per loro seconda vittoria consecutiva in casa . Il Torino è sempre più in crisi, per i granata quarta sconfitta consecutiva e terzultimo posto confermato.

Reggina – Genoa 0-1: Crisi profonda per la Reggina, la "squadra dello Stretto" ormai vede lo spettro della retrocessione e di certo non offre prestazioni incoraggianti; per loro vittoria! assente da diciassette turni, insomma è crisi nera. Il Genoa tiene sempre alte le sue speranze per il quarto posto centrando la terza vittoria consecutiva, la seconda di fila in trasferta. I liguri sabato prossimo attendono a Marassi la Juventus.

Roma – Bologna 2-1: La Roma con qualche difficoltà di troppo supera un Bologna ordinato in campo, ma poco incisivo in attacco. I capitolini ritrovano la vittoria in casa e proseguono la rincorsa al quarto posto. Il Bologna subisce la terza sconfitta consecutiva, la terza di fila in trasferta, ma resta fuori dalla zona retrocessione per soli due punti.

Sampdoria – Napoli 2-2: Bella partita a Marassi, con due squadre alla ricerca di punti. Alla fine il pareggio sembra essere il risultato più giusto. Per i doriani secondo pareggio interno consecutivo e posizione stabile a metà classifica ormai in posizione di sicurezza. Il Napoli ottie! ne il terzo pareggio di fila, il secondo esterno consecutivo. ! Anche pe r i partenopei la classifica sembra essere ormai tranquilla visto il trend delle ultime della classe.

Siena – Lazio 2-0: Ottima prestazione dei ragazzi di Giampaolo che compiono un passo importante per la salvezza, il terzultimo posto è ora distante dieci punti. I senesi tornano alla vittoria interna dopo quattro gare, l'ultimo successo in casa era datato 25 Gennaio 2009, 1-0 contro l'Atalanta. Seconda sconfitta di fila in trasferta per la Lazio, che ora ha una serie negativa di tre sconfitte consecutive. La zona Uefa ora dista otto punti e l'alternanza delle prestazioni dei capitolini non lascia ben sperare per il resto del campionato.

Udinese – Inter 0-1: Vittoria importante dell'Inter che allunga in classifica ed ora si porta a nove punti di vantaggio sulla Juventus. I Nerazzurri passano a Udine in modo fortunoso dopo una partita difficile e molto bloccata dal punto di vista! tattico. Per i nerazzurri quarta vittoria di fila ed undicesimo risultato utile consecutivo. L'Udinese incappa nella seconda sconfitta di fila e con questa si tratta della terza sconfitta in casa della stagione. Non preoccupa la posizione in classifica, a dodici punti dalla terzultima, visto il trend delle squadre più basse.

Milan – Lecce 2-0: Un buon Milan ha ragione solo nel finale di un Lecce ben disposto in campo e che cede per stanchezza negli ultimi minuti. Il Milan centra la terza vittoria di fila in casa e guadagna due punti sulla Juventus, ma soprattutto tiene a debita distanza il Genoa. Per il Lecce ennesima ottima prestazione ma zero punti in tasca. Per i salentini si tratta della quarta sconfitta esterna consecutiva. Anche per loro la classifica resta ferma, sempre a due punti dal Bologna in quart'ultima piazza.

Classifica dopo 30 giornate: Inter 72, Juventus 63, M! ilan 58, Genoa 54, Fiorentina 52, Roma 49, Cagliari e Palermo ! 45, Lazi o 41, Atalanta 40, Sampdoria 39, Napoli 38, Catania 37, Udinese 36, Siena 34, Chievo Vr 31, Bologna 26, Torino e Lecce 24, Reggina 20.

Prossimo turno, 31^giornata 11 / 4 / 2009 ore 15.00: Bologna – Siena, Chievo Vr – Milan, Fiorentina – Cagliari, Inter – Palermo, Lazio – Roma, Lecce – Sampdoria, Napoli – Atalanta, Torino – Catania, Genoa – Juventus (ore 20.30), Reggina – Udinese (12/4 ore 16.00).

Il prossimo turno si giocherà sabato per le festività Pasquali. Il turno presenta scontri interessanti per ogni zona della classifica. Consentiteci però in chiusura un caro abbraccio a tutti i nostri amici abruzzesi che in queste ultime ore hanno subito un tremendo evento. Tutti noi siamo loro vicini per aiutarli a superare questi momenti che lasciano senza parole e con un tremendo senso di impotenza.

Convocazioni del 10 Giugno

Amichevole internazionale
Mercoledì 10 Giugno 2009
Italia - Nuova Zelanda
Radiocronista: Francesco Repice

Highlights 2^ giornata Prima Divisione Lega Pro

Seconda giornata in Prima Divisione, il fattore campo incide solo sei volte. Nel girone A restano a punteggio pieno Cremonese e Novara che vincono rispettivamente a Pagani per 1-3 ed in casa contro il sorrento per 2-1. Finisce 2-1 tra Alessandria e Pro Patria, due squadre che in tempi passati hanno giocato in serie A. Nel girone B invece ben 5 pareggi. A punteggio pieno solo la Ternana (2-1 sul Taranto). Spicca lo 0-3 del Verona in trasferta contro il Virtus Lanciano. Ma vediamo ora risultati, classifiche e prossimo turno:

Prima Divisione, girone A
Alessandria – Pro Patria 2-1, Arezzo – Monza 1-0, Benevento – Lecco 2-1, Como – Varese 1-1, Novara – Sorrento 2-1, Paganese – Cremonese 1-3, Pergocrema – Foligno 2-2, Perugia – Figline 1-0 (lunedì ore 20.45), Viareggio – Lumezzane 2-2.
Classifica dopo la 2^ giornata: Cremonese e Novara 6; Foligno, Varese, Pergocrema, Alessandria, Lumezzane e Como 4; Lecco, Arezzo, Benevento e Perugia 3; Sorrento e Viareggio 1; Pro Patria, Monza, Paganese e Figline 0.
Prossimo turno, 3^ giornata 6/9/09 ore 15.00: Alessandria – Pergocrema, Como – Novara, Figline – Viareggio, Foligno – Paganese, Lecco – Lumezzane, Monza – Benevento, Pro Patria – Perugia, Sorrento – Cremonese, Varese – Arezzo.

Prima Divisione, girone B
Cavese – Pescara 1-1, Cosenza – Pescina V.G. 1-1, Foggia – Giulianova 1-1, P! otenza – Andria Bat 3-1, Ravenna – Spal 1-1, R. Marcianise – P! ortogrua ro S. 1-2, Rimini – Reggiana 1-1, Ternana – Taranto 2-1, V. Lanciano – Verona 0-3.
Classifica dopo la 2^ giornata: Ternana 6; Verona, Pescara, Giulianova e Ravenna 4; Potenza, Taranto, Portogruaro S. e Virtus Lanciano 3; Cosenza, Spal, Cavese, Foggia e Pescina V.G. 2; Reggiana e Rimini 1; Real Marcianise e Andria Bat 0.
Prossimo turno, 3^ giornata 6/9/09 ore 15.00: Andria Bat – Foggia (lunedì 7/9 ore 20.45), Giulianova – Cosenza, Pescina V.G. – Portogruaro S., Potenza – Ravenna, Reggiana – Real Marcianise, Spal – Ternana, Taranto – Rimini, Verona – Cavese, Virtus Lanciano – Pescara.

Cari lettori, la Prima Divisione vi da appuntamento a martedì prossimo

Tutto il calcio n° 16

Tutto il Calcio Serie B
Giornata 9
(Domenica 11/10 ore 15.00)
Conduce: Alfredo Provenzali
In studio: Filippo Corsini

1 Torino - Modena Emanuele Dotto
2 Sassuolo - Modena Giuseppe Bisantis
3 Padova - Mantova Livio Forma
4 Albinoleffe - Ascoli Tarcisio Mazzeo

Anticipo (Dom. ore 12.30):
Vicenza - Cesena
Radiocronista: Massimo Zennaro

Posticipo (Dom. ore 20.45):
Salernitana - Cittadella
Radiocronista: Giovanni Scaramuzzino!
Seconda voce: Gianfranco Coppola

Posticipo (Lun. ore 20.45):
Frosinone - Crotone
Radiocronista: Giovanni Scaramuzzino

Rinviate al 27 Ottobre:
Ancona - Piacenza
Brescia - Gallipoli
Empoli - Triestina
Lecce - Reggina

ASTA, QUANDO?

Quindi quando si fa l'asta? Direi di iniziare ad ipotizzare delle date alternative visto che Campos probabilmente non può il 29 Agosto. Secondo me le uniche alternative sono:

SABATO 30 AGOSTO
VENERDI 12 SETTEMBRE

Venerdi 5 dobbiamo escluderla perchè Giggios è a San Pietroburgo. Per me va bene qualsiasi data, scegliete voi. Se riesco a venire sarò contentissimo, se invece non dovessi riuscire, causa trasloco, ci sarò telefonicamente. Tanto con i pochi crediti che mi ritrovo la mia presenza non è strettamente necessaria.

Comunque vorrei alzare una bandierina: attenzione quest'anno possiamo saltare al MASSIMO due partite. Perchè? Perchè essendo 10 partecipanti avremo le "tornate" da 9 giornate. Quindi contando:
ANDATA (9 giornate) + RITORNO (9 giornate)
ANDATA (9 giornate) + RITORNO (9 giornate)
In totale sono 36 giornate.

In serie A ne abbiamo 38, quindi ne possiamo saltare max due.

A questo punto invit! o Campos a darci notizie fresche per il 29 Agosto. E ovviamente invito voi ad indicare chi c'è o non c'è nelle altre due date possibili. Insomma mettetevi d'accordo!!

FORMAZIONI entro le 20.30

Formazioni entro le 20.30 senza alcuna modifica al regolamento.
Un abbraccio forte a Raf e Giò.
Il Presidente

ibraddio

Iradiddio ibraddio. Non sono un interista. Anzi. E quindi non accompagno il tradimento dello svedesone con ampi vaffanculi. Certo, se avessi una fede neroazzurra (e non ce l'ho perche' Moratti mi sta sul cazzo ed è presidente della sqaudra più antipatica, peggio della Juve) mi sentirei una merda: uno che dopo aver vinto uno scudetto fa di tutto per andare via e manda a quel paese, palesemente, tutti i compagni... Ma dicevo tifoso non sono e quindi non posso far altro che piangere l'avvenuta dipartita di un'esteta del pallone. Quella sconfinata galoppata con Mexes che. lo vedevi, mangiava polvere, quel gol di tacco ad un metro e mezzo di altezza, quelle reti di potenza, opportunismo, cinismo e anche quella sua sfacciata protervia mi mancheranno. Ibra e' stato sicuramente il più forte giocatore che ho avuto al fanta. Paragonabile solo un pò ai vari Mancini, Vialli, Totti, Zola e Cassano. Ibra è la fantasia che si esprime con la forza, è la capacità a volte di ridicolizzare l'a! vversario, è un robot con la tecnica sopraffina, insomma è il calcio moderno. L'unico rammarico è che con lui ho collezionato solo secondi posti, anche se effettivamente ho avuto davanti a me chi è stato più fortunato... In mezzo a tanti bidoni - da Suazo, Crespo, Amoruso e via dicendo - lui è stato sempre quello che non ha mai deluso le attese. E allora verso una lacrimuccia, anche se il mio animo buono vede in lui una sorta di Satana cattivo del rettangolo di gioco. Per me nel calcio come nella vita ci vuole rispetto. E lui questo rispetto non lo ha avuto negli anni verso i suoi compagni e non e con i tifosi dell'Inter. Tuttavia da me avrà solo gratitudine: Iradiddio mi ha fatto sempre divertire. Ora Ibraddio. Quest'anno andrà di moda il fanta spagnolo...

News from South America

Brazil have moved to counter the growing threat from Argentina by recalling striker Adriano for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

The five times winners play away against Argentina and then face Chile at home.

Now recovered from off-field problems that almost caused him to quit football, Adriano has scored 10 goals in 16 games for Flamengo since returning from Italy in April.

Adriano's return may be a timely move by coach Dunga. The ex-Inter man has form against Argentina, having headed the injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw in the 2004 Copa America final and s! coring twice in the 2005 Confederations Cup final in Brazil's 4-1 victory.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas also returns in place of the injured Kleberson.

Here's the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter Milan), Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Juan (AS Roma)

Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (Real Madrid), Lucas (Liverpool)

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (Manchester City), Adriano (Flamengo)

Meanwhile, Argentina and manager Diego Maradona are also making preparations for the clash in Rosario on September 5th.

"I'm only thinking of victory, I'm not considering defeat," he ! said, before moving onto dangerous territory for someone who h! ad a gas tric band fitted in 2005.

"We're hungrier than Brazil," insisted Maradona, thereby unintentionally inviting a global blog audience to submit their own jokes. Brazil currently lead the group by one point from Chile (26), Paraguay (24) and Argentina (22).

How we used to do World Cup bids

OK, it failed, but this When Saturday Comes article on England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup reminds us of a time when players from the victorious 1966 side were acknowledged as important. The current bid committee chose Michael Ballack, Sven Goran Eriksson, and the man who cleans the public toilets in Aberdeen, a certain Wee Jock Poo Pong McPlop, whose allegiances, unlike Ballack's and Eriksson's, must surely be questioned.

Today the Internet is awash with reports about the impending slaughter of cows at South Africa's new World Cup stadiums. Check out the hurried response from FIFA at the end, which was in all probability followed by doors slamming and someone shouting "Get me the President on the phone NOW!"

Behind the news curve as usual, the FIFA site plumps for some dull stuff about Ronaldo's (the Portuguese grass hugger rather than the Portuguese speaking pie eater) ankle and the news that Diego Maradona will bring his "How to harangue journalists" workshop to Munich next year for a pre-World Cup friendly. And inexplicably, Stephen Warnock talks up his chances of making the squad for next year.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Review

Sevilla all but booked their Champions League berth with a well-worked 2-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday evening which severely dents their opponents' hopes of securing a place in Europe's premier club competition. Luis Fabiano opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark and, although Villarreal were handed a lifeline when Abdoulay Konko was sent off 18 minutes from time, Frederic Kanoute scored 10 minutes later to leave Sevilla five points clear of their hosts.

Review

Americans On The Continent: Goal-Getter Gooch

Oguchi Onyewu took on a rare goal-scoring role for Standard Liege against Excelsior Mouscron. The giant centre-back tallied a headed goal in each half to help lead his side to a 3-0 victory in the league and keep pace with leaders Anderlecht.

The Rest

Martin Rogers: Donovan deserves a look from La Liga

There were a few smirks and sarcastic nudges among the Spanish press corps on Tuesday when Landon Donovan admitted his desire to play in La Liga.

No one is laughing anymore.

I'm still laughing...

Exclusive: Altidore Speaks About Future With Villarreal, Olympiakos

It's all about playing time for U.S. international Jozy Altidore as he decides his future. In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the striker talks about the upcoming season.

Football Safaris Will Be Popular At 2010 World Cup

Some visitors to South Africa for the World Cup will be spending a great deal of time lounging peacefully on a terrace, watching the elephants, leopards and antelopes gather at the watering hole.

The Fifth Official: Knee Deep in Brown

Yet, in the aftermath of Hull's late defeat at Stamford Bridge, Brown blundered his way in front of a microphone and uttered the following. "We had three or four new players on show who are learning all about Phil Brown and what it is like to play for Hull City." Err, shouldn't that be the other way round Phil Brown? Clearly, Phil Brown thinks it is more important for his new signings to educate themselves! about Phil Brown rather than the club they've just joined.

Twat...

Spurs star Bentley banned for drink-driving

The 24-year-old winger crashed his Porsche into a lamppost after drinking four pints and two spirits at a gig.