It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

Striker Carlos Tevez wants to leave Manchester City

2011-07-04T22:52:00.001-07:00

Tevez's two daughters, Katie and Florencia, live in Buenos Aires

Carlos Tevez says he wants to leave Manchester City for family reasons.

The Argentina captain helped City finish third in the Premier League last season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

The 27-year-old, who joined City from rivals Manchester United in 2009, said he cannot continue to live in the north west without his two daughters.

"I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them," Tevez said in a statement.

"Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters.

"I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt.

"I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family."

Tevez, who signed a five-year contract with City following a £25.5m move from Old Trafford, thanked the club's hierarchy for their support and asked for fans to empathise with his personal predicament.

"It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club," added Tevez, who is currently on international duty with hosts Argentina in the Copa America.

"I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner, Sheik Mansoor, who has been nothing other than respectful to me.

"I hope that most of the City fans will understand that I have given them my all on the pitch and that my dedication to the City cause has been 100% on the pitch.

"I hope I have done my bit to help City continue their progress towards their ambition to be champions of England and to advance in the Champions League.

"I have no doubt that the players and management of City will achieve great success in the future."

Tevez made an immediate impact at Eastlands, scoring 32 goals in 51 appearances in his first season as City missed out on a place in the Champions League, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

The former Boca Juniors star was given the added responsibility of the captain's armband by City manager Roberto Mancini last season, a moved which proved inspirational as Tevez netted 24 goals in 44 appearances, propelling the club to third in the Premier League as well as securing their place in Europe's top club competition.

Tevez also lifted the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Stoke at Wembley in May, City's first trophy in 35 years.

However, his relationship with Mancini had already been fractured when he submitted a transfer request at Eastlands in December last year, which was later withdrawn.

Tevez's estranged partner could not settle in Manchester and returned to Argentina with their two daughters Katie and Florencia, but a move to Spain or Italy could persuade his family to return to Europe.

BBC Sports News

Wimbledon 2011: Andy Murray to face Rafael Nadal

2011-06-30T18:17:00.001-07:00

Andy Murray at Wimbledon

Andy Murray faces the daunting challenge of defeating defending champion Rafael Nadal on Friday if he is to reach his first Wimbledon final.

The British number one has the chance to make up for defeat by Nadal in last year's semi-finals when they meet in Friday's second match on Centre Court.

Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga open play in the first semi-final, which begins at 1300 BST.

Victory will ensure the Serbian becomes world number one next week.

Having lost just one match in 2011, another win will mean Djokovic has done enough to overhaul Nadal at the top of the standings no matter how the Spaniard fares against Murray.

Nadal needs no extra motivation as he closes in on an 11th Grand Slam title and his third at the All England Club, where he is on a 19-match unbeaten run.

As the two-time champion, and with an 11-4 head-to-head record against Murray that includes wins at Wimbledon in 2010 and 2008, Nadal is a strong favourite once again.

Both men have had injury concerns during the tournament, Nadal to his foot and Murray his hip, but the two came through practice sessions at Wimbledon apparently unscathed on Thursday.

"I feel fine, I'm just looking forward to tomorrow now," Murray told BBC Sport after practising. "I'll do all the right preparation and recovery stuff and try and play my best tomorrow."

And the 24-year-old Scot is not intimidated by the prospect of another meeting with Nadal, who beat him in the French Open semi-finals just four weeks ago, as well as in that Wimbledon semi-final of 2010.

"I believe I can win against him," said Murray. "I had chances last year. I was a break up in the third set, had break point on my serve in the second set - I think there was only one break in the first set. We both played good tennis.

"I just have to have a better game plan. Sometimes it comes down to strategy, sometimes it comes down to having experience. I just have to go out there and play well, serve well, and believe I'll have a chance."

Murray, of course, can end Britain's long wait for a Wimbledon men's singles champion, and the first step to matching Fred Perry's achievement of 1936 will be to follow in the footsteps of the nation's last finalist, Bunny Austin in 1938.

"The chance to make a Wimbledon final is an opportunity to make history," Murray said in his BBC Sport column.

"When I'm on the court I'm not thinking about my place in history but when I look back on my career, I'll want to see where I was in the grand scheme of things."

Asked to assess Murray's chances against Nadal, three-time champion and BBC Sport commentator John McEnroe said: "He's got plenty left in the tank and Lord knows, he's going to need it. Let's be frank, he's got to play the best match of his life and it will be a five-set win if he's going to do it.

"Rafa's a killer when he's out there - Murray's got to have that attitude when he goes out there."

Nadal is certainly taking nothing for granted, having lost to Murray in Grand Slams before - in the 2008 US Open semi-finals and the 2010 Australian Open quarter-finals.

"Every year is a different situation," said the 25-year-old Majorcan. "Last year I beat him here in the semi-finals but it was a very close match, even if it was in straight sets. In the second set he had a set point on his serve.

"So the match will be very difficult for me, I think he's playing at a very, very high level."

One concern for Nadal has been a foot injury picked up in his fourth-round win over Juan Martin del Potro that briefly threatened his continuing participation in the tournament, and it remains an issue.

"My foot is not fine," he said, adding: "I have pain in the foot, I cannot run in perfect conditions without [an injection]. But with the anaesthetic, I don't feel the pain."

The other semi-final sees Djokovic up against Tsonga, who hit back from two sets down to stun Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

Federer is the only man to have beaten Djokovic this year, in a dramatic semi-final at Roland Garros earlier this month.

"It's not only the top four," said the 24-year-old Serbian. "There are other players that are able to play great tennis and Tsonga has proved it. It's all very close at this level, especially in the second week of a Grand Slam."

Asked about the propsect of becoming number one, he added: "My focus is to win every single match I play. I'm very close to reaching the number one but I try not to think about that too much."

Tsonga has much to be optimistic about with a 5-2 record against Djokovic, although he lost their biggest clash in his only Grand Slam final appearance at the 2008 Australian Open.

"I played against him many times," said the Frenchman. "He beat me in the big moments and I want to change that."

BBC Sports News

Wimbledon 2011: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga shocks Roger Federer

2011-06-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tsonga powers to shock win over Federer

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made a superb comeback to beat Roger Federer and end the third seed's hopes of a seventh Wimbledon title for another year.

The Swiss had never lost from two sets ahead at a Grand Slam, but went down 3-6 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the biggest upset of the tournament.

Federer took a second-set tie-break in style, but Tsonga took the next two sets with a break in each.

The 12th seed broke in the first game of the final set before serving out.

He will play Novak Djokovic in his first Wimbledon semi-final, while Federer was left to reflect on another quarter-final exit after last year's defeat by Tomas Berdych.

"I was just perfect today. I served just unbelievably," said Tsonga.

"But in the match before I felt really confident on this shot. I hope it will continue.

"I'm the kind of player who likes these big moments. So I hope I will have some more.

"Can I win Wimbledon? Why not?"

Federer, who had eased to his 29th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final with a straight-sets win over Mikhail Youzhny in the previous round, was philosophical after being denied a 29th Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

"Except the score, many things went right," he said.

"I was pretty pleased with my performance today and at least it took a special performance to beat me. He played an amazing match and didn't give me much hope."

The prospects of the match going the full distance had seemed remote when Federer whisked through the opening set in 27 minutes and after a tight second swept into a 5-0 lead in the tie break.

But after taking Tsonga's opening service game of the match, Federer failed to force another break point as his opponent ground him down to secure a famous victory.

Tsonga had made more frequent and successful forays to the net in the second set, but seemed to lack the consistency to overhaul the 16-time Grand Slam champion.

But the 26-year-old, who had lost four of his five previous matches against Federer, combined a flurry of winners with some steely resolve to turn the tide.

A jumping forehand winner survived a challenge to move Tsonga a break ahead in the third game of the third set before he defiantly held off Federer from 0-30 down in both his penultimate and final service games of the set.

Tsonga's ambitions of reaching the last four at Wimbledon for the first time came into sharp focus as he broke again early in the fourth.

A pair of winners, one each on the backhand and forehand side, brought up three break points on Federer's serve and Tsonga seized the final one with another clean winner.

Landing with 78% of his first attempts and winning 80% of his second-serve points, Tsonga proved unassailable for the rest of the set and his 14th ace squared the contest.

Tsonga continued to confound expectations that his momentum would peter out.

After missing a straightforward volley at 0-30 in the first game of the decider, he forced Federer to stray into the net at the end of an exchange of forehands and cede the game.

Even under the pressure of the final point, 2008 Australian Open finalist Tsonga's serve was unrelenting and as Federer's return flew long the crowd rose to salute the Frenchman, who dropped to the turf in joy.

By Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Tiger Woods remains cautious over return date

2011-06-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Woods wary of early return

Tiger Woods says he still does not know if he will play at the Open, which begins on 14 July at Royal St George's.

The 35-year-old former world number one has been out of action since May with injuries to his left leg and is remaining cautious.

"I will come back when I'm 100%. I don't know when that's going to be," said the American.

"I'm just playing it by ear right now. I've not hit any balls yet. I want to be playing, but I'm not ready yet."

Woods, who has won 14 major championships, including three Open titles (in 2000, 2005 and 2006), has had a string of injuries since returning at the 2010 Masters from a five-month break following his much-publicised personal problems.

At this year's Masters he suffered a sprain to the knee that was operated on twice in 2008 and also a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon.

Woods, now ranked 17th in the world, returned for the Players' Championship at Sawgrass on 12 May but withdrew after only nine holes of the opening round because of a recurrence of the problems he experienced at Augusta.

The injury problems also caused him to pull out of the recent US Open, the first time he has missed the event since making his debut in 1995.

But he admitted he made a mistake by trying to return at Sawgrass: "It was a borderline call to play The Players. I wasn't quite 100% and I hurt myself there.

"There's not going to be a 50-50 call this time. I need to get my body ready where I can practice and play and apply it. But I'm 35, I'm not 65 - I've still got some years ahead of me and I feel my best years are still ahead of me."

Woods, who has not won a tournament since November 2009, finished joint third when the Open was last held at Sandwich in 2003.

He is still having treatment twice and sometimes three times a day and has also spoken to coach Sean Foley about the plan for when he is fit to play again.

"I've played injured before and been successful at it [at the 2008 US Open]. I didn't think this was anywhere near that, but it's time to have a different approach. I'm setting no timetable - I'm going to learn my lesson and apply it. I'm being smarter this time."

BBC Sports News

Wimbledon 2011: Injury threatens Rafael Nadal title bid

2011-06-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

Nadal needed extensive treatment to get through the match

The defending champion produced a rousing performance to see off Juan Martin Del Potro in four sets to move into the quarter-finals.

But the 25-year-old Spaniard was troubled by the injury throughout and will go for an MRI scan on Tuesday.

"I don't know what the problem is, I will get it checked out. I'm worried for sure," he said.

"At one moment at the end of the first set I thought I might have to retire.

"To hit my forehand was very tough. I felt something really strange when it was at 6-5 in the first set when I called to the trainer. I pushed hard with a forehand and I just felt something crush in the back of the foot. I didn't know what went on.

"I changed the position of the foot so I was able to continue but with pain."

It is not the first time injury problems have affected Nadal at Wimbledon - he was unable to defend his 2008 title because of knee problems - and the Mallorcan is concerned about what his scan may reveal.

He will play Mardy Fish in the quarter-finals on Wednesday if he is fit enough and then could play Andy Murray in the semi-finals if the Scot beats Feliciano Lopez.

"I'm going to do the MRI. We'll see what's going on. I cannot predict the future," Nadal said.

"I am checking with the doctors, with the physios. They are trying. We are trying to do our best as fast as possible.

"Let's see what's going on and let's see how the MRI looks. And after, let's see if we have the chance to recover for Wednesday. I don't know."

The champion had 10 minutes of treatment at the end of the first set and thinks the strapping which his trainer put on his left foot enabled him to continue.

"With the tape it changed the direction of the support and it didn't hurt me that much," he said.

Del Potro had his own injury scare, slipping and falling to the grass at 2-2 in the third set.

He remained on the ground, clutching his left hip and then left the court for treatment but returned within minutes to continue as Nadal won 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

BBC Sports News

Wimbledon 2011: Brilliant Sabine Lisicki knocks out Li Na

2011-06-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Wildcard Sabine Lisicki produced the shock of the tournament after defeating French Open champion Li Na 3-6 6-4 8-6 in the women's singles.

The German world number 62, who has suffered a string of injuries in the last 12 months, could not handle Li's groundstrokes in the first set.

But she hit back in the second and saved two match points at 5-3 in the third set before claiming victory.

Sixth seed Francesca Schiavone and 18th seed Ana Ivanovic both advanced.

Italian Schiavone recorded a 7-5 6-3 victory over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and will play Austria's Tamira Paszek in the third round, while former world number one Ivanovic enjoyed a comfortable 6-3 6-0 win over Greece's Eleni Daniilidou.

However, the biggest story of the day was Lisicki's stunning win over world number four Li.

The 21-year-old has been beset by numerous injuries as well as illnesses in the last 12 months, including a lengthy ankle injury and appendicitis.

And she continued her excellent form in Birimingham last week, where she beat the in-form Daniela Hantuchova to win the Edbgaston championship, at SW19 as Li suffered only her second Grand Slam defeat this year.

Australian Open finalist Li had been 4-2 up in the third set and twice served for the match, but Lisicki displayed impressive resilience each time.

"I really had to start from zero after being on crutches for seven weeks so it just means so much to me, winning the title in Birmingham and getting the wild card here," a delighted Lisicki told BBC Sport.

"I appreciate it so much, to be back in Wimbledon. It's just a place that I love so much.

"The crowd really helped me when I was two match points down, I didn't realise it could get so loud in there!"

Li said: "I'm not tired, after losing a tough match it's sad but today both players played well. All you can say is unlucky. Nothing went wrong, both players played unbelievable, nothing wrong. Just unlucky. I can't do nothing for these two match points."

Asked if she felt more pressure as the French Open champion, Li said: "I didn't feel different, so I didn't feel pressure, but only change now is every opponent plays better. If Sabine stays like this she's number one in the world."

Lisicki will play Japanese qualifier and world number 133 Misaki Doi, who beat 2008 Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng Jie 6-3 6-1.

As well as Li, 14th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was another seed to suffer in the second round, losing to fellow Russian Nadia Petrova.

Former world number three Petrova registered a 6-3 6-3 victory on Court 17, taking advantage of Pavlyuchenkova's 24 unforced errors.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 12th seed, demolished Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru 6-0 6-2, while 16th seed Julia Goerges of Germany overcame a tight first-set tie-break to beat France's Mathilde Johansson 7-6 (12-10) 6-2.

Belgium's 19th seed Carolina Wickmayer needed three sets to defeat Georgia's Anna Tatishvili 3-6 6-4 6-2 but Slovakia's 24th seed Dominika Cibulkova enjoyed a no-nonsense victory with a 6-1 6-2 win over Slovenia's Polona Hercog.

BBC Sport News

Wimbledon 2011: Venus Williams beats Kimiko Date-Krumm

2011-06-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

By Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Wimbledon Championships

Venue: All England Club, London
Date: 20 June-3 July
Coverage: Live on BBC One, Two, 3D, HD, Red Button, online (UK only), Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra; live text commentary from 0900 BST on BBC Sport website (#bbctennis); watch again on iPlayer

Venus Williams was made to battle to overcome the unseeded Kimiko Date-Krumm in an extraordinary second-round match played under the Centre Court roof.

The five-time Wimbledon champion eventually prevailed 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 8-6 in an epic two hours and 55 minutes.

An upset looked on the cards when Date-Krumm raced to a 5-1 lead before winning the first set on a tie-break.

But Williams bounced back to win the second set with ease and then clinched it in the 14th game of the third set.

The tale which was unfolding under the Centre Court roof looked set to be a scriptwriter's dream as the world number 57, a former top 10 player who had retired in 1996 only to return to the fold after a 12-year absence, outwitted her more-celebrated and younger opponent.

The 31-year-old American admitted the opening set against a player nine years her senior was tough.

"I was very serious about trying to get the win, even down 5-1 in the first set," said Williams, playing in this venerable tournament for a 15th consecutive year.

"It took me a while to adjust in the first set. I thought she played well and I just couldn't get my racquet on it. She doesn't play anywhere near her age."

Centre Court was stunned to silence when the 40-year-old former Wimbledon semi-finalist, the second oldest woman to reach the second round at Wimbledon, broke the Williams serve in the first and third games.

The evergreen Date-Krumm, combining baseline aggression with deftness at the net, was causing her illustrious opponent - albeit one who has only recently returned to court after five months out with injury - all sorts of problems.

Date-Krumm moved to within a game of clinching the first set at break-neck speed, but Williams, dogged and determined, dragged herself back into contention.

The resurgent American won four games on the trot - surviving two set points in the eighth game - as a remarkable opening set went to a topsy-turvy tie-break.

The Centre Court crowd was agog - some were on their feet, applauding Date-Krumm's Herculean effort to win the tie-break after she had previously squandered seven set points in the first set.

"I thought she played unbelievably," said Williams, who hit 12 aces and 45 winners during the course of a compelling match.

"I thought she had some luck on her side, too, with net cords, balls hitting lines. I thought it was a perfect storm for her to try to get a win. Thankfully, I had some answers."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Date-Krumm was unable to maintain her first-set momentum, with Williams breaking early in the second set to take a 3-1 lead and again in the ninth before comfortably clinching the set.

By the third set, Date-Krumm's fairytale start was in danger of turning into a hazy memory as Williams broke in the second game, but the veteran broke back immediately to put a nerve-jangling third set back on serve.

It was a question of who would crack first, Williams nearly did in the 13th game but survived to win the match.

The players left their stage to a standing ovation, the crowd appreciative of their contribution to a contest which will live long in the memory.

Date-Krum later revealed weightlifting and interval training had improved her stamina, but laughed when asked whether she felt tired.

"Of Course! I felt it in the beginning of the second set, my body was heavy. But after that I came back. Yeah, I was tired. But, you know, I'm still ok. Maybe on Thursday it'll be a problem."

BBC Sports News

River Plate face play-off anxiety

2011-06-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

The playing days of lumbering Argentine striker Martin Palermo were one prolonged battle of a man to overcome his own limitations. Sensing and identifying with the essential nobility of the struggle, the fans of Boca Juniors took him to their hearts.

Palermo's career ended on Saturday on a note of appropriate drama. His last touch as a professional, deep into stoppage time, was a nod down which set up team-mate Christian Cellay to score Boca's equaliser against Gimnasia of La Plata.

To add spice to the occasion, it was an important goal - and not just because Palermo is from La Plata, a fan and an ex-player of Estudiantes, Gimnasia's local rivals.

In a frantic last day of the league season, a win for Gimnasia would mean they would not be one of the two teams to be automatically relegated. Instead they would go into a play-off against the team finishing third in the Second Division - but that late Boca goal worsened their position.

Now they must meet fellow strugglers Huracan, with the losers going down, and the winners earning a chance to save themselves in a play-off against San Martin of San Juan.

Read the rest of this entry

Post categories: Football

Tim Vickery | 07:44 UK time, Monday, 20 June 2011

Bahrain Grand Prix cut from 2011 F1 calendar

2011-06-15T23:25:00.001-07:00

The Sakhir circuit in Bahrain will not stage an F1 race this season

Formula 1's governing body the FIA has confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix will not be part of the 2011 programme.

The race, originally scheduled for 13 March, was called off in February after more than 30 lives were lost during pro-democracy protests in the country.

Earlier this month, it was reinstated and rescheduled for 30 October.

But teams objected on logistical grounds and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was forced to come up with another calendar with Bahrain removed.

When asked to ratify the calendar, the World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules and regulations for the FIA, unanimously voted in favour of staging the inaugural Indian Grand Prix on 30 October.

The FIA's decision at the start of June to restore the race to the calendar, with Bahrain taking the October slot and the Indian Grand Prix moving to 11 December, was announced as unanimous but proved highly controversial.

The decision to reinstate the Bahrain race also outraged human rights campaigners, with nearly half a million people signing an online petition demanding a boycott.

Cancellation was seen as inevitable since any change to the calendar required the unanimous written agreement of the teams.

Read Story at BBC Sports

Kim Clijsters withdraws from Wimbledon with foot injury

2011-06-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

Clijsters won a fourth Grand Slam with the Australian Open title this year

World number two Kim Clijsters has withdrawn from next week's Wimbledon Championships because of a foot injury.

The 28-year-old, who would have been seeded two at SW19, had a recurrence of the problem at the Unicef Open in the Netherlands on Tuesday.

"At this moment I feel frustrated that it has to happen now before one of my favourite tournaments," she said.

"I've always enjoyed being a part of the Wimbledon atmosphere but I have no other choice now but to rest."

Following the Belgian's announcement, the players below her all move up a place, with Tsvetana Pironkova coming in at number 32.

With world number one Caroline Wozniacki named top seed, Vera Zvonareva becomes the new second seed, Li Na third, Victoria Azarenka fourth and former champion Maria Sharapova fifth.

Clijsters, who retired from the sport in 2007 and gave birth to her daughter before returning two years later to win the US Open title, collected her fourth Grand Slam title in January by capturing the Australian Open.

She first damaged her foot in unusual circumstances in April, after dancing barefoot at her cousin's wedding.

Although she returned to play in the French Open last month she was beaten in the second round by world number 114 Arantxa Rus.

Read Story at BBC Sports

Royal Ascot: Frankel celebrates magnificent seven

2011-06-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

Fantasic Frankel outsprints rivals

Frankel may not have produced the sort of unhindered procession which the Queen enjoys but in his own way, the colt demonstrated his enormous ability when winning at Royal Ascot.

"Put it this way, if the race was run in another half hour, he would have been ridden completely differently," said trainer Sir Henry Cecil after victory on the meeting's opening day.

The 10-times champion trainer let out a puff of his cheeks and raised his eyes towards the brim of his black top hat as if to say 'Phew' after the three-year-old held on by three quarters of a length to triumph in the St James's Palace Stakes.

Victory by less than a length for the 30-100 favourite was seen by some as an anti-climax, but unbeaten Frankel showed the quality of a champion - winning when you shouldn't.

When pacemaker and stablemate Rerouted surged clear early on, and no-one followed, Frankel's jockey Tom Queally had to play his hand. And he decided to twist, rather than stick, by sending his mount into the lead round the home turn.

A blistering turn of foot saw the favourite in happy isolation with two furlongs to go, and that is when the challengers started to close in, with 20-1 shot Zoffany in second and Excelebration third.

Cecil admitted after the race that he would have chosen more patient tactics if given the choice again.

"That was a bit nerve-wracking and it didn't go to plan. He is growing up but it just went a little bit wrong today," said the 68-year-old Newmarket trainer.

"He was nice and relaxed in the race and I don't think he needed the pacemaker.

"He looked as if he was going to win a bit more easily and I think that he thought that he had just done enough."

Some observers were critical of jockey Queally's ride, making his move with half the race still to go.

But the same jockey has been on top for every one of his magnificent seven wins, and not dissimilar tactics in his all-the-way victory in the 2,000 Guineas last time out was a wonder to behold.

Queally said he was in a tricky position as none of his rivals followed the pacemaker, and he felt forced into taking the lead.

"I had to make a decision to go when I did. He was running for a long way and was starting to get a little bit fed up with it in front - he does it so easily," said the 26-year-old Irishman.

By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Royal Ascot

BBC Sports

Republican 2012 hopefuls open debate in New Hampshire

2011-06-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

The candidates for the party's nomination also focused criticism on his 2010 overhaul of the healthcare system, pledging to repeal "Obamacare".

They refrained from attacking one another, preferring to hit at Mr Obama.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the front-runner in the field bidding to challenge Mr Obama.

The first Republican primary elections do not take place until February.

The president's handling of the economy and healthcare reform quickly drew criticism, while his policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya were also expected to draw fire during the debate at Saint Anselm College.

'Obamacare' anger

Early on Mr Romney said Mr Obama had "failed" America, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said a new president was needed to end what he termed "the Obama depression".

Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, a favourite of the anti-tax Tea Party movement, said she had filed regulatory paperwork to enter the race officially, and criticised Mr Obama's marquis effort to establish a universal healthcare programme.

"His report card right now has a big failing grade," Ms Bachmann said. "President Obama is a one-term president."

In addition, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said Mr Obama's regulatory policies were "oppressive" and pledged to "unshackle" business.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said Mr Obama was a "declinist" who viewed America as "one of equals around the world".

Congressman Ron Paul of Texas faulted the US Federal Reserve's anti-inflationary monetary policy for America's economic woes.

Former pizza restaurant mogul Herman Cain of Georgia called for the elimination of the federal capital gains tax to stimulate job growth.

Read story at BBC Sports

Maverick Terry inspires five-star Dallas

2011-06-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Mavericks extended their winning streak to five games with a 101-96 victory over defending champions the La Lakers in our highlights of Wednesday night's NBA action.

BBC Sports Basketball

Inside the anti-doping system

2011-06-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

Christine Ohuruogu fell foul of the whereabouts system when she missed three tests - Photo: Getty

Andy Murray calls it "draconian". Rafael Nadal says it makes him "feel like a criminal". To anti-doping agencies around the world it's the most important weapon they have.

This is the "whereabouts" system, and I'm about to join it.

On Wednesday afternoon I was officially added to something called the National Registered Testing Pool, the first non-sportsman ever to be given such access. From now on I have to specify where I'll be for an hour a day, seven days a week, for up to three months in advance.

Why? So I am available for random out-of-competition tests. Why me? Because this is exactly what the 400 or so elite Olympians in Britain have to do, because it is the controversial heart of the fight against doping and because I want to see exactly how easy or onerous it is to stay on the right side of the system.

The first step, as for any athlete, is an induction session - sometimes run by their sport's governing body but often by UK Anti-Doping. I am met by Eliot Caton, athlete support officer at UKAD, and handed a red folder. Inside are user guides, log-in details and some very important contact numbers.

Eliot explains the principles: how the anti-doping programme works, the role whereabouts plays and my responsibilities as an elite athlete within it.

This is where it gets interesting. On a computer programme called Adams (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System), I must submit a mountain of information: my residence for every day in that month, whether home address, hotel or friends'; my full training schedule for every day; where I'll be competing - dates, venues, times - and where and when my one-hour slot will be.

The programme itself looks a little like Microsoft Outlook, albeit initially less intuitive and a little more fiddly. There is a clickable daily calendar, contacts section and area for direct messages. I have a unique username and password which means only UKAD and I can access my information.

Eliot's job is to make sure every athlete is comfortable with using Adams. Step by step he shows me how to upload the key details of my diary to the system.

It takes time. For every address I might stay at overnight I have to input full details - not just the name and street, but specific instructions - ring top doorbell, blue door on left, code for front gate etc.

If you spend your entire life in one place it wouldn't take very long. But sportsmen don't. Neither do sports journalists. In the next month I know I'll be in Southampton for the third Test against Sri Lanka, Wimbledon for the tennis, my Mum and Dad's for a weekend away, a stag-do in London and a hotel or two for other work trips. That's a lot of addresses.

Then there are the training venues. I am a long, long way from being an elite athlete, but I do train most days. At the moment that means bike rides, swimming and gym sessions. On each day in the online diary I have to say where I'll be training, at what times, and how I can be found.

Doing that a week in advance is hard. Doing a full month is even harder. Athletes will have a more structured schedule than me, but they still need to be extremely specific. If at, say, Lee Valley High Performance Centre, are they likely to be in the weights room, the indoor track or the outdoor track?

At the moment I'm cycling three times a week. One of those will be intervals in Richmond Park. Easy enough to input, although harder to say where I'll be in the park or on what loop. Another will be a long ride into the Surrey Hills, 80-ish miles spread over four or five hours. Which route am I likely to choose? Where will I be on it?

It's not quite as severe as it sounds. I won't be penalised if I'm not at those training venues when I say I am, and it won't count as a missed test, although if I'm consistently not where I should be it will trigger suspicions.

The key part is that one hour window. Between 0600 and 2300, seven days a week, I must specify where and when that window will be. I must be at that location for the full hour. If I'm not, and the testers come calling, it'll count as a missed test. Three missed tests in an 18-month period means an anti-doping suspension, just like the one handed out to Christine Ohuruogu in the system's infancy back in 2006.

How hard is it? Murray and Nadal have not been the only sportsmen to complain. Pete Gardner, chief executive of the British Athletes Commission (BAC), claimed some athletes would retire rather than risk a ban through accidentally missing tests.

Last month the European Elite Athletes Association, which represents 25,000 sportsmen and women across the continent, claimed they had hundreds of members ready to say their human rights had been invaded by this imposition on their privacy. Even on Wednesday, British 100m hurdles record holder Tiffany Ofili was Tweeting: "My Adams is soooo confusing. It frustrates me every time!"

First, the philosophy. UKAD - and world governing body Wada - would say it is a small price to pay for keeping cheats out of sport. We need to believe in the performances we see, to trust that out heroes are exactly that. The out-of-competition tests the whereabouts system provides are as good a guarantee as we can currently get. For the sportsmen involved, this is their chance to prove that they are clean.

Now the practicalities. Specifying that hour is not quite as tricky as you might first think. Many sportsmen go for an early hour - say, 0630 to 0730 - knowing they will be at home in bed.

What if your plans change? What if you suddenly go away for a competition, or stay at your partner's house, or have to see the physio for treatment to an injury rather than being at home when you thought?

It shouldn't be a problem. You can now change that specified hour up to 60 seconds before it is due to start, by sending a text message, phoning a dedicated number or by going online and accessing Adams.

Neither do you have to wait till quite that late. At any point you can go into Adams, or use those other numbers, to adjust your hour for any day in the forthcoming three months.

Should you forget to input your details, or struggle to use the system properly, the education officers are on hand 24/7 to help out. They'll even keep an eye on your Adams and send you a message if it looks like you've neglected to put the right information - for example, if you're off to Spain to represent GB in an event and haven't tweaked your schedule to reflect that. Even on Wednesday night I received a text message gently warning me that my own details in Adams were incomplete and needed updating.

How will I get on? Will the system prove a piece of cake or completely unpalatable? Will it become second nature or last-gasp panic? Will I update and input as I should, or lose track and find myself on the brink of a ban?

I'll be tweeting on @tomfordyce and blogging here regularly with updates throughout the weeks ahead. In that time I'll also be speaking to sportsmen and anti-doping officials to find out how they think the system is working, how it might be improved and what challenges, legal or otherwise, lie ahead.

In the meantime I need to get onto Adams. I've got some serious data inputting to do.

Tom Fordyce | 14:12 UK time, Thursday, 9 June 2011 on BBC Sports Olypics

The moment Seve became an icon

2011-06-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

By David McDaid
BBC Scotland

In a long and distinguished career, Seve Ballesteros won more than 90 tournaments, including the Masters twice, three Open Championships and the Ryder Cup as both player and captain.

But, of all the triumphs and successes, one moment has been immoraltised in golfing history more than any other.

His Open win at St Andrews in 1984 was not his first major - in fact it was his penultimate - but it was by far his personal favourite.

Trailing Tom Watson on the final day, the Spaniard came back to win by two shots at the spiritual home of golf, denying his rival a third successive Open.

His final putt on the 18th green from 12 yards made its way towards the hole and appeared to hang for a split-second on the lip before dropping in.

Cue one of the most iconic releases of emotion that golf has ever witnessed.

Speaking as he battled cancer before last year's Open at The Old Course, Ballesteros expressed how much St Andrews and that win meant to him.

"St Andrews is the greatest place, for me, in golf and the place where I lived the greatest moment of my career," he told BBC Sport.

"When I holed the putt and said 'La meti, la meti' ('I put it in, I put it in') and all the fans were clapping… it was a glorious moment for me."

More than a quarter of a century on, it is still a cherished memory for golf fans.

BBC commentator Ken Brown, a former Ryder Cup player, was a close friend of Ballesteros.

The Scot finished joint-13th that year and was already driving home following the latter stages of the tournament on the radio.

"The commentary was fantastic and you got a sense of the crowd and the atmosphere," he said.

"I knew how important it was to Seve to win the Open at St Andrews.

Read story at BBC Sports

Synchro success demands style and endurance

2011-06-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

One of the delights of being part of the BBC's team at the Olympics is learning a whole new sport from scratch.

In my five summer Games so far, I've managed to glean at least a working knowledge of judo, shooting, fencing, gymnastics and modern pentathlon (to name just a few).

Clearly I'm never going to become an expert, but my aim is always to try and make unfamiliar sports accessible to an audience who only watches them once every four years, while at the same time not infuriating the cognoscenti who've devoted their lives to those sports, often without any recognition.

So for me, the road to 2012 began in earnest at the weekend, at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Synchronised Swimming. It's one of those sports which attracts a predictable response.
"What's with the nose-clips? And the lipstick? And the fixed smiles? It's an entertainment, not a sport, surely?"

The purpose of my trip to the European Synchro Champions Cup event was to give myself - and hopefully our audience on the Red Button - a rather more rounded view of an event which isn't always, it has to be admitted, taken all that seriously.

All I can say, after my two days of watching some of the world's finest synchro swimmers, is that these are athletes who should be taken very seriously indeed.

As Britain's Commonwealth silver medallist Jenna Randall put it: "It's like running the 400 metres while holding your breath, and smiling at the same time."

Imagine floating upside down in the deep end of your local pool, for something like 40 seconds at a time. You're surrounded by seven other people, and you're having to scull with your hands and arms to stay in the same position. Now propel yourself upwards in the water, so your legs rise above the surface in a perfect extension. Your team-mates are doing exactly the same moves at the same time. Then spin downwards so your feet disappear under the water in perfect synchronisation.

It's just one of the many sequences which the top teams perform as a matter of course. When the swimmers surface, they may have just a few seconds to grab a breath, before plunging down again, and maybe using the remaining power in their legs to push a team-mate above the water to do a perfect back-flip.

They can't touch the bottom of the pool at any time and they have to keep their eyes open so they can stay synchronised with the others (no goggles allowed in the performance). Team routines last for around four minutes - and it has to look effortless (hence the smiling).

And if you're still questioning the nose-clips, just imagine doing all that with a load of chlorinated water sloshing around your sinuses.

The skill, stamina and grace of the top synchro swimmers speaks for itself. Sheffield was lucky at the weekend to host the top two nations in the world at the moment, Russia and Spain. Their dedication to the sport is astounding - the Spanish train for 12 hours a day, every day, and if their coaches feel their standards are slipping, they can end up repeating their gruelling four-minute team performance up to 14 times in a row.

It's hard to compete with such commitment, but Britain's synchro team are making huge strides. Based at the Army barracks at Aldershot, under National Performance Director Biz Price, and helped by funding from the Lottery and British Swimming's sponsors British Gas, Randall and duet partner Olivia Allison clinched silver in last year's Commonwealth Games.

The weekend in Sheffield brought fifth placed finishes for Team GB in the duet and team events, against their top European rivals. And Sunday was rounded off by bronze in the team combination, not an Olympic discipline, but cause for celebration nonetheless.

Canada, China and Japan will be the major nations added to the mix for London 2012, but a top-six finish is a realistic target - a huge improvement on 14th in Beijing.

There will always be some who will argue that any event which includes artistic impression in its scoring is not a real sport, but I would defy anyone to watch these dynamic, dedicated athletes in action and dare to claim they are anything other than real sportswomen.

BBC Sports

Capello's conservatism costs England

2011-06-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

Pep Guardiola's Barcelona took Wembley on a thrilling ride on the famous Catalan carousel. Seven days later, Fabio Capello's follow-up act was a journey with England into the chamber of horrors.

Capello was on familiar territory as England's inadequacies in the 2-2 draw with Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifier were explained away by tiredness at the end of a long season.

As Capello wandered out with friends to survey a deserted Wembley an hour after the final whistle and contemplate the hazardous route England still have to negotiate to reach next summer's showpiece in Poland and Ukraine, he should have looked closer to home to explain those failings.

Capello decided to pick James Milner ahead of Ashley Young. Photo: PA

And this is because the tone for a wayward performance and a draw that extended England's winless sequence at Wembley to four games, their worst for 30 years, was set by Capello himself.

England made short work of Wales in the qualifying game in Cardiff in March thanks, in large measure, to Capello's employment of Aston Villa's Ashley Young in a wide role that allowed him to at last demonstrate his potential at international level.

Young was building on his performance as a substitute in Denmark that brought the winning goal and much personal acclaim. The opposition was not at the high end of the world game, but Young fell firmly into the category of player Capello insisted he would encourage when he sat amid the wreckage of England's World Cup campaign in South Africa 11 months ago.

So it was to unanimous bafflement that England's team-sheet arrived before the meeting with Switzerland and Young's reward for his efforts was relegation to the substitutes' bench and replacement by Manchester City's James Milner.

Capello's choice was close to inexplicable but smacked of unnecessary caution against a Swiss side that, while marshalled by master coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, had taken only four points from four games in Group G before arriving at Wembley.

Milner's mixed form at Eastlands hardly merited his inclusion ahead of Young and Theo Walcott's claims were no stronger despite his selection. It left Capello wide open to charges that his gameplan was the product of muddled thinking and more evidence of his naturally conservative default position as a coach.

It was a move that looked even more ill-designed as England gifted Tranquillo Barnetta two goals from free-kicks to set Wembley on edge before Frank Lampard's penalty paved the way for a point to be salvaged after the break.

Capello's folly was underscored further by the fact that Young came on as substitute for the second half and took only six minutes to score a fine equaliser to at least rescue a draw for England - and win the sponsors' man of the match award for his lively 45-minute contribution.

The Italian coach's cause is not helped, on occasion, by the fact that the world knows the clock is ticking on his lucrative deal with the Football Association. He will leave after Euro 2012 and it takes a giant leap of faith to imagine that he will end his time in charge by winning the tournament - indeed he still faces a fight to get there.

To suggest, however, that Capello does not care about England is a dangerous occupation. He has a reputation that he protects jealously and it does him a disservice to question his commitment and his in-bred professional pride.

What is not in doubt is that this was a poor day for Capello. He got his selection wrong, was too cautious and even his decision to pick Bobby Zamora as a substitute ahead of Peter Crouch, who has scored 22 goals in 42 England appearances, did not stand up to close scrutiny.

If it was a bad day for Capello, he was certainly not alone as England concluded a long season in unconvincing fashion and with few reputations enhanced.

England were stripped of the suspended Wayne Rooney, who took advantage of his break to have a hair transplant, and the injured Steven Gerrard. Their drive and inspiration was sorely missed and handicapped Capello.

Switzerland, inspired by the fine young midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, left England looking laboured and Barnetta's two free-kicks summed up the malaise.

The first after 32 minutes was missed by Rio Ferdinand, who at times looked to be suffering aftershock from Manchester United's mauling at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League Final, as it angled in and goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted too late to make a difference.

Barnetta's second three minutes later was a shambles on many levels. Milner deserted a two-man defensive wall in schoolboy fashion and Hart's lack of anticipation was exposed as he attempted a clumsy - not to mention doomed - effort to kick the ball clear at his near post.

Lampard's penalty was his last meaningful contribution in an otherwise anonymous showing and his replacement with Young was the catalyst for England's improvement.

Young duly proved how wrong his omission was with his goal, but the villain of the piece in the later exchanges was Darren Bent.

Capello more or less admitted he had tempted fate by talking up the striker who has looked so assured recently, watching in agitation as he allowed Switzerland keeper Diego Benaglio to save at his feet before lashing a wayward finish over the top of an open goal late on.

Bent's misses raised old questions that he thought he had answered about his capabilities at England level. Three goals in successive games before Saturday suggest he should not be discounted on this latest evidence, grim though it was.

England's plus points were not restricted to Young. Arsenal's Jack Wilshere was tireless and creative, with one weaving run and perfect pass to set up Bent's first chance almost a flashback to the days of the youthful Paul Gascoigne.

And Everton left-back Leighton Baines, on as an early replacement for injured Ashley Cole, was in the sort of dashing mood that has his admirers convinced he is now almost the Chelsea defender's equal, contributing a crucial and clever touch for Young's equaliser.

Capello's day improved with Montenegro's failure to overtake England at the top of Group G when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bulgaria. He will take comfort in any form after the failure to beat Switzerland.

England's Euro 2012 destiny is now likely to depend on two testing trips to Bulgaria in September and Montenegro a month later. Improvement is required - from the coach as well as the players.

Read more at BBC Sports

Badminton chiefs shelve skirts ruling

2011-06-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

The 'no shorts' rule had originally been intended to come into force on 1 May

Badminton's governing body has shelved a controversial new rule that would force women players to wear skirts or dresses during competitions.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) had wanted to introduce the new dress code to "glamorise" the sport.

But some women players, including Scotland's Imogen Bankier, have attacked the decision. Bankier called the plan "sexist".

The BWF now says it will not introduce the new rule, pending a general review.

In a statement, the BWF said: "The Badminton World Federation have accepted a recommendation from the Women In Badminton committee to further study on the general clothing regulations and thereby not to introduce the regulations as currently drafted regarding the mandatory use of skirts or dresses."

Former world champion Nora Perry, who represents Women In Badminton on the BWF council, said: "It is still our intention to focus on a better presentation of the game, but we will like to broaden the scope to include both men and women, and the feedback will also include views from various stakeholders such as the clothing manufacturers."

The Athletes Commission which represents the interests of the sport's players had also objected to the proposed new rules, which were scheduled to come into force on 1 June.

Women wearing shorts on court after that date could have been fined by the BWF.

Speaking earlier this month, Bankier - who is ranked 20th in the world - said: "I understand what they are trying to do - make it more appealing to spectators and the media.

"I don't think women wearing skirts is going to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

"If people want to see women in skirts they will go elsewhere - they won't go to watch badminton."

The proposed new dress code had attracted particular criticism from Muslim countries.

Read on BBC News

NBA opens new front with women's game

2011-06-01T22:13:00.000-07:00

It will mark the first time a WNBA team has played in Europe and forms a new front in the NBA's assault on the UK basketball market.

Since 2007, the NBA's has staged annual pre-season games in London in the hope of getting more people watching and playing the sport in the UK and hence increasing their awareness of the NBA.

On Sunday, Manchester's MEN Arena will host experienced WNBA side Atlanta Dream against the British women's team.

"The UK is a priority market for the NBA and we've been very encouraged by the progress the NBA has made," NBA Europe senior vice-president Sophie Goldschmidt told BBC Sport.

"Football is hugely popular but basketball is the second most popular sport in the world. And we've see positive trends in the UK," she added.

Although the NBA continues to struggle with sustained impact in the UK, one-off games tend to be successful.

Read story at BBC Sports

Paul Scholes was one of the Man Utd greats - Nicky Butt

2011-05-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

Scholes and Butt formed a fine partnership for Manchester United and England

If you pick an XI for the greats of Manchester United from my era, Paul Scholes will definitely be in that. But I think he is up there with the top three or four players to have played for the club.

If you look at the different eras, you have got Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, then you have the Roy Keanes, Bryan Robsons, Mark Hugheses, and more recently Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Scholes.

People from different eras will have different opinions but everyone from my era would put Scholes up there with the best that have played for United.

Kieron Dyer said he knew Scholes was good. But, when he trained with him at England, Dyer realised he was unbelievable because he never gave the ball away, was always in space, always had time on the ball and always picked the right pass.

That is a mark of a top player; someone who makes it look easy, never looks rushed and always passes to feet and Scholes had that in abundance.

He was always a dirty little git. He was always kicking people and sliding in 10 minutes late but he always had a cheeky side to him so I do not think anyone speaks badly about him.

On the training pitch, and in the changing room, he got his job done and went home to his family and that has always been the case with him. But, when he was on the pitch, he gave it 100% and he was a pleasure to watch every day in training.

Scholesy got away with murder because of his reputation for being a quiet, family man. He was, but he had a cheeky side to him and was always playing jokes or up to no good and is a bit of a prankster really.

If something was going on, he was always part of it but he used to get away with it because he was the so-called quiet one.

I knew myself when it was time to call it a day and I am sure Paul knew it was time too. Ability-wise, everyone knows he could play for another one or two years but, inside, it is whether you want to.

Deep down, you know when you go out and train or when you play, whether your time is up. You know when you are not enjoying it or you cannot do the things you used to do.

That is what made me finish because, in training, it did not feel good when players were going past me too easily and it was starting to get a bit embarrassing really.

I did not want to drag it out for the sake of being a footballer or getting a pay cheque at the end of the month. Your pride kicks in and you know it is time to give up.

Paul had got it different to me because he was still playing at a top team that is still challenging and winning things and that was the enjoyable part of it.

Scholes's game was different to mine - his game was about dictating play and passing and, at the end of his career, he could still do that to a top level.

By Nicky Butt on BBC Sports
Former Manchester United midfielder, 1992-2004

Nike Money Short - Men's

2011-05-29T23:12:00.000-07:00

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Champions League: Man Utd have learned from 2009 - Scholes

2011-05-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

Paul Scholes has said Manchester United will not repeat the mistakes they made two years ago when they face Barcelona in Saturday's Champions League final.

The midfielder stated that United learned some painful lessons in the 2-0 defeat by Barca in the 2009 final, as the Catalan giants dominated the match.

"There is a determination to make sure that doesn't happen again," he said.

"It wasn't a nice night and the summer afterwards felt very long. This time we intend to at least give it a go."

Scholes came on in the dying moments of the 2009 final in Rome, but the game had already passed United by as goals by Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi confirmed Barca's superiority.

BBC Sports

Premier League sets new standards

2011-05-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

Alistair Magowan - BBC Sport | 14:44 UK time, Monday, 23 May 2011

"One goal now could change it all. It's maddening, it's enthralling, it's the English Premier League and there is nothing quite like it."

That was the verdict of BBC football commentator Jonathan Pearce during Wolves' 3-2 defeat by Blackburn on Sunday, where Stephen Hunt's late strike meant both teams survived to enjoy the madness again next season.

It could also quite easily pass as a judgment on the whole season, where the emergence of new names, a new side and a general narrowing of teams' points totals made the Premier League as unpredictable as it has ever been.

"An absolutely fantastic season, one of the best ever," said former Liverpool defender and Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen. "I think the fact that the big sides were regularly beaten by some of the lesser sides just made it complete."

Defensive connoisseurs might want to look away now but this season was perhaps the most entertaining yet.

There were a record 2.8 goals per game, the most hat-tricks in a 20 team Premier League season (17), and the fewest number of clean sheets - 191 out of a possible 760.

But for those who regard that as further proof of a league which is high on entertainment but low on technical quality there is also evidence to suggest otherwise.

While there were more headed goals compared to the previous two seasons, there were also more goals from open play.

And based on figures over the last three seasons, the number of passes has increased overall as well as their accuracy. The number of dribbles attempted is also on the up, while the percentage of long passes of 35 yards or over has dropped to a level below the last two seasons.

That has all resulted in more drawn games and fewer away wins, something that champions Manchester United can attest to.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side managed only five wins on the road all season, a figure they shared with relegated Blackpool, who lit up the Premier League with an attacking approach rarely seen from newly-promoted teams.

In fact, if any team were to epitomise the extra goals and fewer clean sheets change then it would be Ian Holloway's side.

Captain Charlie Adam demonstrated his ability to play in the top tier, but his fellow team-mates in defence suffered, conceding 78 goals this season - that is seven more than West Brom and eight more than West Ham.

"If you aim for the stars, you might hit the moon," said Holloway after being relegated. "I have nothing but pride for my players and the way they have performed. I am ready for the fight to get us back."

Blackpool's 55 goals almost saved the Tangerines and 56 strikes did wonders for West Brom, but it was the lack of goal threat that was Birmingham's downfall.

Averaging less than one a game, the 37 goals that Blues registered was the league's lowest total and only Craig Gardner hit double figures this season in all competitions.

The frustrating thing for West Ham fans must be the fact that at various points during the season they have looked capable of winning more than seven league games.

Hanging on to a lead was a huge issue for Avram Grant's side, illustrated by their terminal collapse at Wigan the weekend before last. If games had finished at the hour mark, the Hammers would have had 16 more points to their name, giving them a bigger increase than any other Premier League side.

That might indicate a mental problem, or perhaps fitness issues, but they also suffered from a lack of a regular goalscorer with leading marksmen Demba Ba finding the net only seven times, despite joining the club in January.

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie proved his value at the Hawthorns with 15 league goals after signing from Lokomotiv Moscow last August. Mention must also go to Baggies boss Roy Hodgson, who has guided his team well clear of the bottom of the table to finish 11th.

Yet it was a season in which many of the mid-table teams have flirted with relegation at some point.

In the final reckoning, just 10 points covered eighth-placed Fulham and relegated teams Birmingham and Blackpool, and the likes of Aston Villa and Sunderland only pulled clear of danger in the final stages of the season.

Newcastle and Bolton managed to steer clear of relegation stresses and had relatively successful seasons, Bolton more so until they were deflated by their FA Cup semi-final loss to Stoke.

The Potters, meanwhile, can look back on a hugely encouraging term, as they reached their first FA Cup final and qualified for the Europa League next season.

Above them, Fulham, Everton and Liverpool all benefitted from strong second halves to their seasons, with the Reds boosted by Kenny Dalglish's return to the Anfield hot seat and the arrival of new signing Luis Suarez.

Since King Kenny returned on 8 January only Manchester United and Chelsea have earned more points than the 33 the Reds have picked up.

Their Merseyside neighbours were hampered by injuries again this term but managed to use the fewest number of players in the league, while Fulham weathered a long period without Bobby Zamora by remaining firm at the back. Mark Hughes' team conceded the fewest goals from set-pieces.

Despite two defeats since Dalglish's job was made permanent, the Scot will want to crack the top four next season, and it looks like the table summit is developing into a six-way rivalry.

Tottenham were let down by their home form where the nine games they drew were more than any other team. Arsenal, on the other hand, will need to further bolster a defence which conceded a high ratio of goals from set-pieces.

Manchester City might have received scorn for their defensive approach at times this season but their 18 clean sheets is three better than Manchester United or Chelsea and, unlike Arsenal, they have a trophy to show for their efforts this season to go with their automatic Champions League place.

Roberto Mancini's side will no doubt recruit further players this summer and now Chelsea are set to begin a period of transition following Carlo Ancelotti's sacking, it could mean that City are the ones to rival Manchester United next term.

City and Chelsea struggled against the top four teams this season and both fell short of Manchester United's goals tally of 78, which is way down on the 97 goals Ferguson's side scored in 1999/00.

Part of that is down to United's away form, where they drew 10 games, the most of any team in the league this season.

As former United midfielder Nicky Butt said: "It didn't surprise me that Manchester United won the title, but it did surprise me how weak the other [challenging] teams were.

"Chelsea made a great start and I thought they would be the team to beat to win the title. To United's credit, and as the manager always says, they came good after Christmas and he has proved the point again this year. It's not where you are through the league it's where you end up."

You can argue what all this means for the English national team yet for the neutral the Premier League remains enthralling.

For those more heavily involved from fans to players to managers, maddening probably only describes the half of it.

Are Argentina better off without Tevez?

2011-05-23T01:28:00.000-07:00

The stocky shadow of Carlos Tevez is likely to be cast all over the Copa America in Argentina this July.

The Manchester City striker will almost certainly not be picked for the tournament as Argentina coach Sergio Batista is apparently building a side without him.

He is attempting to create an imitation Barcelona, with Lionel Messi in the 'false number nine' role that Pep Guardiola invented for him with the Catalan club. The back-up is to use Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid as a target man striker.

Tevez, then, is not in the frame in his favourite centre forward role, and he is not a flank flier like Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria, Batista's other strikers in his 4-3-3 foprmation - though it would be no surprise if Sergio Aguero were to force his way in and play the David Villa role in Batista's Buenos Aires Barcelona.

And if Tevez is not going to be in the starting line-up, having him in the squad carries an obvious risk.

As fans of most of the teams he has played for can testify, Tevez is a moaner.

He never seems entirely happy anywhere. The glass is not only half empty, it is chipped as well.

Can Argentina accommodate the different styles and strengths of Messi (left) and Tevez? Photo: Getty

Read full story here from BBC Sports

London 2012 Olympic torch relay route revealed

2011-05-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

The first 74 locations on the London 2012 Olympic torch relay route, which will start at Land's End, have been revealed.

The route, which covers every nation and region in the UK and includes island visits, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles (12,800 km).

A search for 8,000 "inspirational torchbearers" will begin at 1100 BST, the London Olympics' organisers said.

They plan to publicise further route details later this year.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) said the Olympic Flame would come within a one-hour journey of 95% of people in the UK.

The torch will leave Land's End, Cornwall, on the morning of Saturday 19 May 2012 - the day after it arrives in the UK from Greece.

During the 70-day torch relay, it is expected to pass through towns and cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton and Dover.

The 2012 torch - which is being created by east London designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and is due to be unveiled in June - will travel for about 12 hours a day, arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.

Locog said the route would also include six island visits - to the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey, Shetland, Orkney and the Isle of Lewis.

Meanwhile, the feasibility of taking the Olympic Flame on a short visit to Dublin is still being explored.

Thousands of people are expected to celebrate along the route, with shows and concerts planned on 66 of the 70 days.

London 2012 - Begin your journey here

Sport, news and more 2012 information

BBC London 2012

Sebastian Coe, chair of Locog, said: "The Olympic Flame will shine a light right across every nation and region of the UK and showcase the very best of who we are and where we live.

"The first locations on the route confirmed today give a flavour of the reach the Olympic torch relay will have around the UK and how extensive the opportunity for starting to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games will be."

Hugh Robertson, minister for sport and the Olympics, said the relay would "bring London 2012 to the doorsteps of the UK giving everybody the chance to celebrate the London Games".

"It's a magnificent showcase for the country and a chance to mark the achievements of inspirational people in our communities," he said.

A second, more detailed route will be revealed later this year.

In addition to the 74 locations already revealed, Locog said the torch would also pass through many cities, towns, villages and places of outstanding natural beauty - as well as sports venues and community hubs.

The design duo's studio is in the London Olympic borough of Hackney

The origins of the Olympic torch relay look back to ancient Greece, when messengers were sent out from Olympia to announce the competition dates and call for a halt to all wars during the Games.

The relay was revived for modern times at the 1936 Berlin Games, and since then has grown into a popular curtain-raiser to the sporting events.

The design of the torch has changed with each Games, sometimes reflecting classical torches, at other times taking on a contemporary look.

The 2012 torch's designers, Barber and Osgerby, won a competitive tender launched last year for the torch design role. They are also working on designs around the Paralympic torch relay.

For the modern Olympic Games, the flame is lit in Olympia from the sun's rays using a parabolic mirror and then taken on a relay around Greece.

Unlike some previous relays, the 2012 torch will not go round the world.

At the end of the Greek tour, the flame will be taken straight to the UK.

18 May 2011 Last updated at 06:25 GMT

FROM BBC NEWS

Justin Bieber Suffers Chest Infection During Concert

2011-05-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

Justin Bieber was diagnosed with bad chest infection during concert.

Despite his illness, he did not cancel his scheduled concert.

Before the show, Bieber was advised to cancel or shortened his performance but insisted to go on. And once he started, he kept on going.

Justin Bieber was greeted by hundred of fans outside the SM Mall of Asia.
Before leaving the country, Bieber said, he enjoyed his concert.

Justin already left the country today. He was mobbed by his fans in the airport, to get his signatures and to take pictures.

Written by showbizgal52

http://showbiznewsph.com/3511/justin-bieber-suffers-chest-infection-during-concert/

Justin Bieber in Manila for one-night concert

2011-05-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

By Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 05/10/2011 2:35 PM | Updated as of 05/10/2011 9:57 PM

MANILA, Philippines - International teen pop star Justin Bieber is now in Manila for his one-night concert this May 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds as part of his "My World" 2011 Asian Tour.

Hundreds of Bieber's fans dubbed as the "Beliebers" trooped to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to welcome the young singer to the country.

"What's up, guys? Thank you all for the support and mahal ko kayong lahat. Thank you," Bieber said in a video posted on YouTube for his Pinoy fans as part of the promotion for his concert.

On Tuesday, Bieber is set to perform for his Filipino fans and expected to sing his hits such as "One Time," "Baby," "Pray," "U Smile" and "Never Say Never."

Before even coming to Manila, Bieber made headlines when he greeted his Malaysian fans with "Hello, Manila" instead of "Hello, Malaysia" at his concert in Kuala Lumpur.

While others criticized Bieber for the said boo-boo, others, particularly his Pinoy fans, were just happy to know that their idol is excited to perform for them.

Why is Bieber so keyed up to be in Manila? Well, he’s being linked to Filipina singer Jasmine Villegas.

They were even spotted kissing inside Bieber’s car.

Lady Gaga brings drama to 'American Idol'

2011-05-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

The eccentric pop superstar pushed the Fox singing competition's top four finalists to add theatrics to their Wednesday performances of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller songs. Her advice that Scotty McCreery should pretend that the microphone is his girlfriend prompted the deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner to kiss the cross around his neck.

"You've got to get right in the center of that hot dog," she advised the conservative singer.

Lady Gaga's steamy direction didn't seem to deter McCreery, who impressed the judges with both his rollicking take on The Coasters' "Young Blood" and heartfelt rendition of Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" during the beginning of Wednesday's episode when the finalists were tasked with performing inspirational tunes.

"You're ready for superstardom, and I hope you make it," Randy Jackson told McCreery afterward.

Lauren Alaina also seemed poised for greatness with her inspirational ballad of Martina McBride's "Anyway," but she wasn't ready to proclaim that she was "evil," as noted in the lyrics to Elvis Presley's "Trouble," until she received some motivation from Lady Gaga, who directed the 16-year-old singer from Rossville, Ga., to sing the ditty in character.

"When I was 16, I was way too weird to be on `American Idol,'" Lady Gaga admitted.

The result was apparently delicious, with Steven Tyler noting that Alaina "delivers a song like a blue plate special." Haley Reinhart, the 20-year-old vocalist from Wheeling, Ill., wasn't quite as yummy. The judges bickered about her interpretation of Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." Tyler was a fan, but Jackson and Jennifer Lopez didn't eat it up.

"I felt like you were just screaming," Jackson said over a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Reinhart returned with a vengeance — and a string orchestra — with Ben E. King's "I (Who Have Nothing)." Lady Gaga directed her to let out a dramatic exhale in the middle of the song. The judges were floored. Jackson dubbed it "her moment" of the night, and Tyler informed her that she "just Reinharted yourself into the middle of next week."

"That was amazing," said Lopez. "One of the best performances of the year."

James Durbin, the wailing 22-year-old rocker from Santa Cruz, Calif., opened the show clad in tails with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and closed it down with a metal-tinged take on The Clovers' "Love Potion No. 9." Jackson, who formerly played bass with Journey, said Durbin was "paying homage to my friends," and Tyler attested that he "did it right."

"You can sing anything," Lopez told Durbin after "Love Potion No. 9."

One of the four finalists will be eliminated Thursday. The 10th season "Idol" scheduled to be selected on the May 26 finale.

source: Yahoo! News

Bin Laden sons protest to US over 'arbitrary killing'

2011-05-11T00:18:00.001-07:00

The sons of Osama Bin Laden have criticised the US authorities for carrying out his "arbitrary killing".

A statement given to the New York Times newspaper said the family wanted to know why the al-Qaeda leader had not been captured alive.

Relatives who survived the 2 May raid in Pakistan should be freed, it said.

Another statement appeared on a jihadist website saying the burial of Bin Laden at sea "demeans and humiliates his family".

Osama Bin Laden was shot dead by US special forces during a raid on his home in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad.

US officials have said that while Bin Laden was unarmed he had given no indication to the US troops that he wanted to surrender.

Attorney General Eric Holder has said that the killing was lawful and "an act of national self-defence".

Humiliation

The statement printed by the New York Times was attributed to Bin Laden's fourth son, Omar Bin Laden, who has repeatedly distanced himself from his father's ideology.

It said that in absence of a body or photographic evidence, the family were not convinced he was dead.

But if he was dead, it said, they were questioning "why an unarmed man was not arrested and tried in a court of law so that truth is revealed to the people of the world".

They argue Bin Laden's killing had broken international law and that figures such as former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic had been given the chance to stand trial.

"We maintain that arbitrary killing is not a solution to political problems and crime's adjudication as justice must be seen to be done."

The family said they were demanding an inquiry into why Bin Laden was "summarily executed without a court of law" and demanded the release of his three wives and several children, who are believed to be in Pakistani custody.

The statement also said the US decision to bury Bin Laden's corpse at sea had deprived the family of performing religious rites.

A slightly different version of the report was published on a jihadist websites, said the SITE Intelligence Group.

It said US President Barack Obama was "legally responsible" for clarifying "the fate of our father" and that the sea burial "demeans and humiliates his family and his supporters".

US President Barack Obama has urged Pakistan to investigate how the al-Qaeda leader could live in the garrison city of Abbottabad undetected and to find out if any officials knew of his whereabouts.

Pakistan's PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has insisted that allegations of Pakistani complicity and incompetence are "absurd".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13354995

Football not facing TV doomsday

2011-02-03T22:44:00.000-08:00

by:David Bond | 20:58 UK time, Thursday, 3 February 2011

Thursday's opinion from the advocate general of the European Court of Justice is not a doomsday moment for the Premier League.

But it was clearly a wake-up call which, if backed up by a ruling by judges later this year, threatens the way the richest league in the world currently markets its TV rights.

To briefly recap - a Portsmouth landlady called Karen Murphy has been contesting the League's crackdown on pubs who pay an annual subscription fee charged by Sky to televise live matches.

The League barred her from showing games broadcast via Greek satellite provider Nova for breach of copyright but she fought back, taking her case through the European courts.

And on Thursday, the advocate general of the ECJ, Juliane Kokott, weighed in on her side saying that, in her opinion, the way the League sold its rights on a territorial, country by country basis was incompatible with the internal market.

Or put another way, why should an English football fan be forced to buy his live English Premier League football from an English pay TV operator? Why not let the fan buy their games in from Greece, France or anywhere else in Europe if they fancied.

If Kokott's opinion is backed up by the judges from the European Court of Justice then that could have huge implications for the League's lucrative business model and potentially the timings of games.

If broadcasters like Sky lost their territorial exclusivity because of competition from European rivals then that could reduce the value of the exclusive deals Sky and ESPN have for live matches, currently worth almost £2billion over three years.

But even if the court ruling goes against the League it wouldn't necessarily mean less money for clubs. The League would probably just bundle all the European rights together and sell their 380 live games to one pan-continental broadcaster for a higher price.

At the moment European countries pay just £200m for live Premier League rights - mainly because most of the mature TV markets in Europe also have strong and popular domestic leagues.

It is Asia and the United States where the Premier League makes the vast majority of the £1.2bn it has negotiated as part of the current three-year overseas deal.

There is another potential impact and that's on the scheduling of games.

The League currently sells only 138 of its 380 live games per season to Sky and ESPN because it tries to restrict disruption to the traditional 3pm Saturday kick-offs. The fear is more televised games shown at 3pm would impact on attendances at clubs across the Premier and Football Leagues.

But all 380 of the League's live games are already sold to overseas broadcasters and if all matches, including those at 3pm on a Saturday, are allowed to be shown in the UK, then a tradition already under threat is likely to be damaged further.

Before the League's chief executive Richard Scudamore calls for the lawyers, it is worth remembering he has been here many times before over the last 12 years, and each time there has been a European challenge, the League seems to come up with a new plan for increasing revenue.

It is also worth noting that overseas TV rights are the growth area for the League and the top clubs, not domestic rights which have remained pretty steady for the last 10 years. It is Asia where the big money can be made.

Indeed, a bigger threat to the TV rights than overseas competition could come from illegal internet streaming, which is far harder to police.

So Thursday's European intervention is undoubtedly a potential setback for the League but, with a final decision potentially months if not years away, there is no need to start talking about football's age of austerity just yet.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/2011/02/football_not_facing_tv_doomsda.html

Kean rues missed chances

2011-02-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

Blackburn manager Steve Kean was left ruing his side's missed chances following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Peter Crouch scored the only goal of the game at Ewood Park in the third minute - climbing above Chris Samba at the far post to head home.

Rovers battled bravely to find the equaliser but Heurelho Gomes produced some fine saves to give Spurs the win.

Kean told Sky Sports: "We're disappointed because I thought the goal caught us a little bit cold and after that we really got after them and played some good football.

"We probably had five or six really good chances and 11 on target, so we're disappointed.

"When you look back at the game and you see all the saves Gomes has made, he's probably Tottenham's man of the match.

"I think if we can continue to make these chances and maybe sharpen up in front of goal then I'm sure the points will flood in."

Kean is happy with the current crop of players at his disposal and revealed he is looking forward to tinkering with his team in the upcoming games.

"We've got lots of options. I said a month ago we were looking to increase the squad and really beef it up," he added.

"I think we've now got possibilities in every area of the pitch and we'll look forward to the next coming games when we can rotate and get the right mixture.

"I'm sure we'll put points on the board."

Blackburn owners Venky's were in the squad to witness the defeat, as chairperson Anuradha Desai watched her first game.

Kean believes the owners will be pleased with the fighting spirit of the performance, despite the deflating early goal.

"I hope they enjoyed the game and saw that we were trying to be positive and trying to get after the game," he remarked.

"I think we got angry, and had a fantastic reaction."

source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6719393,00.html

Adam makes Blackpool pledge

2011-01-31T22:10:00.000-08:00

Tottenham Hotspur came within minutes of landing the Scottish midfielder on deadline day, but a deal was unable to be rushed through before Monday's 11pm cut-off point.

Adam had been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool but the Merseysiders had been unable to agree a fee for the 25-year-old schemer, with Blackpool believed to be asking for £14million.

Adam's future remains up the air but the Seasiders skipper has told Sky Sports News he is still focused on helping the promoted Premier League side remain in the top-flight.

read original story by skysports.com

Playoff questions: Can Jets overcome memory of Patriots' rout?

2011-01-10T23:46:00.000-08:00

Can the Jets overcome the memory of their 45-3 loss to the Patriots last month?
Almost from the moment the Jets defeated the Colts on a final-second field goal on Saturday night, their focus turned to the Patriots. Publicly, Jets coach Rex Ryan pleaded for 12 hours to savor the victory, but his players' words suggested otherwise. "We got the Patriots on our mind," Jets safety Brodney Pool said, via ESPN. "We know we're going back there. We remember what they did to us." The Patriots routed the Jets 45-3 on Dec. 6, in a game Ryan had said pitted the NFL's two best teams (both were then 9-2) against each other.

Bill Belichick, left, and Rex Ryan will face off on Sunday.

CAPTION

By The Star-Ledger via US Presswire

Instead, the Patriots embarrassed the Jets with New England QB Tom Brady throwing four TD passes. Despite Ryan's season-long confidence that he had a Super Bowl squad, the Jets' win on Saturday was just their third this year against a team that finished the season with a winning record. And while they get a fresh start against the Patriots on Sunday, overcoming the memory of their 42-point defeat will be a serious challenge. As the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, five previous playoff games have been rematches of contests decided by at least 35 points in the regular season. The losing team has never been able to win the playoff rematch. Ryan ratcheted up his brash talk on Monday when he made Sunday's game "personal" between him and Patriots coach Bill Belichick and said he would prove he's as good a coach as his New England counterpart. And his players seem to be buying in. DB Dwight Lowery told ESPN of the memory of the 45-3 loss, "Not going to happen again. That wasn't the same group of guys that showed up (Saturday)."

Can the Ravens get over the hump against the Steelers?
The Ravens and Steelers will be playing for an NFL-high eighth time since the start of the 2008 season on Saturday. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh called it "poetic justice" that his team will face off against its AFC North rival. "This is the NFL at its best," Baltimore DE Terrell Suggs said. "This is what the world wants to see. They want to see Baltimore and Pittsburgh." The Ravens sure want another crack at the Steelers, who beat them 13-10 in early December, a win that gave them the tiebreaker edge that earned them a wild-card bye. The Ravens are just 2-5 against the Steelers since 2008, with the games having been decided by an average margin of four points (and five of the contests by three points). The clubs are very evenly matched, but the Ravens have missed out on a signature win vs. their archrivals. Besides losing the division crown this year, they also lost the 2008 AFC title game in Pittsburgh. Yet this is a Ravens team that LB Ray Lewis -- a graybeard who showed off his 2000 Super Bowl ring to teammates before Sunday's wild-card win in Kansas City -- has been saying is destined for another Super Bowl. Their defense is ready for a matchup with the Steelers, having surrendered just 14 points over the past two weeks. And the Ravens have forced 10 turnovers during that span. Said Lewis of the Ravens' play the past two weeks, "that's championship-caliber football."

Can the Seahawks finally reach .500 by upsetting the Bears?
The Cinderella Seahawks -- who must travel to Chicago after beating the Saints on Saturday -- went just 2-6 on the road this season, en route to an NFC West title at 7-9. But one of their road wins came in Chicago in Week 6. The questions that marked the Seahawks' playoff berth -- they were the first team ever to win a division with a sub-.500 record -- were largely erased when they ousted the defending Super Bowl champions. They cannot be seen as a doormat, especially with a win in the Windy City already on their resume. "We just beat the world champs and that's a great feeling," Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck said. In the 23-20 Week 6 win, the Seahawks sacked Bears QB Jay Cutler six times, and held Chicago to just 61 yards rushing. But the Bears were a devastating 0-for-12 on third down that day, which limited their scoring opportunities. Seattle will need to be aggressive and apply similar defensive pressure to keep the NFC North champions off balance again on Sunday. Said Bears LB Brian Urlacher to WFLD-TV, "They had us off balance all day, ran the ball well, threw well, converted on third downs. ... It was our fifth game of the season. I think we've gotten better since then, and I'm sure they have, too."

Is James Starks the difference-maker for Packers in trip to Atlanta?
The Packers lost 20-17 at Atlanta in Week 12 when the Falcons nailed a 47-yard field goal with nine seconds left. The Packers' leading rusher in that game? QB Aaron Rodgers, with 51 yards. So the emergence of rookie RB James Starks -- 123 yards in the 21-16 wild-card win at Philadelphia on Sunday -- gives Green Bay an element that had been missing for much of the season (since Ryan Grant's Week 1 season-ending foot injury). And if Starks can find similar success in Atlanta, it could provide a huge boost to the ability of Rodgers to pick apart the Falcons' defense. "When you start running the ball it's different than the pass game," LG Daryn Colledge told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "There's definitely a momentum that you feel with that. You feel like you put a defense back on their heels." The Packers were seen by many as a preseason Super Bowl favorite. And with their defense in top form now also -- DB Tramon Williams closed Sunday's win by picking off Michael Vick in the end zone -- the Packers may be playing their best overall football at the most important time of the year. They have allowed an average of 12 points per game over the past three weeks. "We've had some ups and downs on this roller coaster of a year," LB Clay Matthews told ESPN. "But hopefully we're peaking at the right time. ... You can say we're dangerous, but we're just playing at the level that we know how."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/01/playoff-questions-can-jets-overcome-memory-of-patriots-rout/1

Lleyton Hewitt finding touch as fitness builds ahead of Australian Open

2011-01-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

LLEYTON Hewitt has declared his Australian Open preparations on track despite a straight sets Hopman Cup hammering from Novak Djokovic.

Hewitt is cramming match fitness in Perth, the 6-2 6-4 loss to the world No.3 just his second singles match since returning from a serious hand injury.

The world No.54 displayed his trademark fighting qualities but was ultimately outclassed on Tuesday night as Serbia took the tie 3-0, ending any chance of Australia reaching the Hopman Cup final.

But the 29-year-old Australian said he was pleased with his individual progress ahead of a final group match against Kazakhstan tomorrow.

“It was probably exactly what I needed,” Hewitt said of his clash with Djokovic.

“Second match up to play a quality player, he played as well as he could.

“My ball striking was right where I want it be at the moment, still a week-and-a-half out from the Aussie (Open).

“I was pretty happy with my movement.

“I haven’t played three sets in any of my singles matches but so far the body’s holding up pretty well.

“There were a couple of break opportunities, I could have been up a break in both sets.

“It was a big step up. I hit the ball a lot better than I did in my first match.

“He’s just come off playing the tour finals in London against the best guys in the world and he played in the Davis Cup final as well, so he’s match tough at the moment and playing those big points extremely well.”

Hewitt said Thursday’s clash with world No.36 Andrey Golubev would be another important step in his preparation for the Australian Open.

“He’s a great shot-maker. He’s not going to be easy, he’s going to go out there with an attitude of nothing to lose and be slapping balls around everywhere,” Hewitt said.

http://www.mirosport.net/2011/tennis/18808/lleyton-hewitt-finding-touch-as-fitness-builds-ahead-of-australian-open/#more-18808

Winter Olympics 2010 set to begin in Vancouver

2010-02-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

Vancouver will welcome some 2,500 athletes to the 2010 Winter Olympics at Friday's opening ceremony.

Financial worries and a lack of snow have hampered preparations, but the focus now switches to the competitors.

Canada could earn their first ever home Olympic gold medal on Saturday, while Team GB's 52 athletes have been set a target of three medals of any colour.

"We're keen to mark the beginning of a new era for winter sports in Britain," said British chef de mission Andy Hunt.

"It is extraordinary to have the number of athletes in the team that we do.

"We haven't set a specific medal target - our real target is for every athlete to achieve their personal best."

Team GB 'must improve on Turin'

While the British Olympic Association (BOA) is playing down medal targets, funding body UK Sport expects a three-medal return on its investment.

That pales in comparison to the pressure facing the host nation's team of 206 athletes, competing across the Games' 15 sports over 17 days.

The Canadian team has defined a successful Games as winning more medals than any other nation - rather than necessarily aiming for more golds than other countries - with the men's ice hockey final considered a must-win showpiece event by home supporters.

Leading Canada's charge is 37-year-old speed skater Clara Hughes, who will carry her country's flag at the opening ceremony. A former cyclist, she has both Summer and Winter Olympic medals to her name.

Of the 82 nations expected to take part, the United States and Germany should also be close contenders both in terms of gold medals, where Norway also feature, and overall medal count.

The US team of 216 athletes is the largest at the Vancouver Games and is fronted by talismanic skiing sensation Lindsey Vonn.

Vonn has had a troubled build-up to her five Olympic events after suffering a shin injury during training - but few teams have arrived at the Games without incident.

The British team, in particular, saw its skiing and snowboarding governing body go into administration just one week before the Olympics, leaving the BOA to arrange emergency funding for the 14 affected athletes.

And financial problems extend to the Vancouver Organizing Committee (Vanoc) itself, which has faced reports of a 30m Canadian dollar (£18.1m) revenue shortfall.

However, Vanoc no longer expects large-scale protests against the Games outside the opening ceremony - the contents of which remain a closely-guarded secret - at the 60,000-capacity BC Place arena.

More problematic for organisers is the weather in the region, on Canada's west coast, which has been unseasonably warm in recent weeks.

Rain has played havoc with the Cypress Mountain freestyle skiing and snowboarding venue to the north of Vancouver, which has had to rely on snow imported from higher ground.

"The organisers have been doing everything they possibly can," said British snowboarder Zoe Gillings, who will compete at Cypress Mountain, where more rain is forecast.

"They've put so much work in that I think it'll be alright."

Whistler, the home to alpine skiing events situated two hours north of Vancouver, has no such trouble - there are record levels of snow on the ground.

But training runs there have already fallen prey to the fog for which the resort is renowned.

If the weather does not intervene, Whistler will play host to one of the first major spectacles of the Games when the men's downhill skiing takes place on Saturday.

The event is traditionally the blue riband event of the Games and 35-year-old Swiss veteran Didier Cuche, who leads the season-long World Cup standings, begins as favourite - despite skiing with a broken thumb since the end of last month.

Lindsay confident ahead of third Games

Cuche's 23-year-old countryman Carlo Janka and Austrian Michael Walchhofer are also ones to watch. Local star Manuel Osborne-Paradis could go close, while Ed Drake will become the first Briton to compete at the Games.

British medal interest at Vancouver 2010 lies largely in Whistler, where world number one women's bobsleigh duo Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke will compete, as will skeleton star Shelley Rudman, who won GB's only medal - a silver - at Turin in 2006.

Back in Vancouver, the two British curling teams are also expected to challenge for medals, while there are outside chances in figure skating and speed skating.

"Pretty much everybody on the team skated British records and personal bests the week before we came here," said 29-year-old British short track speed skater Sarah Lindsay, who is set to compete at her third Winter Games.

"You can't ask for much more than that. For us, if one person can win, the whole team does."

By Ollie Williams
BBC Sport in Vancouver

Australia beat West Indies by eight wickets at Adelaide Oval

2010-02-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

February 09, 2010

The smallest crowd ever for an Australian limited overs match at Adelaide Oval witnessed the home side maul the West Indies by eight wickets.

One day cricket has had many better days than this, with Doug Bollinger's first-ball dismissal of West Indies captain Chris Gayle effectively determining the outcome of the contest while dissuading whatever spectators might have swelled the attendance later on.

The West Indies slid as low as 4-16 and were ultimately bowled out for 170, leaving Australia a leisurely chase they duly completed inside 27 overs.

Shane Watson extended his outstanding summer by cracking 51 and captain Ricky Ponting was also smooth in compiling an unbeaten 57.

A weekday fixture and temperatures hovering around 36C had made the match a hard sell, but the official crowd figure of 8,378 was still startling, well short of the reduced capacity of 16,500.

Prior to this match no 50-over game involving Australia had returned a crowd of less than 10,000, the skinniest being the 11,129 who saw Australia play New Zealand in November 1980.

The South Australian Cricket Association made only an obstinate defence of the attendance figure.

"We did not expect this match to be a sell-out," a SACA spokesperson said.

"The fact that this number of people have come out in the heat on a work and school day is testament to ODIs popularity."

Neither West Indies nor the match ever quite recovered from the hammer blow of Gayle's instant dismissal by the excellent Bollinger (4-28).

He had plenty of support as there were wickets for every bowler on an Adelaide pitch that offered plenty of bounce to the pacemen and turn for Nathan Hauritz (1-45).

Of the visitors only the middle order quartet of Narsingh Deonarine (23), Denesh Ramdin (30), South Australian Twenty20 representative Kieron Pollard (33) and Dwayne Smith (43) offered any sort of resistance.

Australia's chase was never going to be in any trouble from the moment Watson muscled two boundaries from Kemar Roach's opening over.

Watson added 51 with Shaun Marsh (27) before the left-hander dragged a ball onto his stumps via a crooked bat.

Ponting looked as sure as he had in any one day innings this summer and had little difficulty finding the winning runs alongside Michael Clarke (27no) after Watson fell to Roach.

Gayle had promised a far better West Indian batting effort than the one witnessed in Melbourne on Sunday, but his threats were soon made to look empty, giving up a clear lbw verdict to Bollinger.

Travis Dowlin was caught behind while trying to leave Clint McKay (2-33), before Runako Morton and Lendl Simmons departed cheaply.

The scoreline of 4-16 was the best start by an Australian bowling attack in any limited overs international, surpassing two instances of 4-17, against cricket minnows Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Regular wickets then ensured there would be no chance of the visitors reaching 200.

Bollinger said he wanted to be seen as a hero rather than a villain for getting Gayle so early in the piece.

"I'd like to feel like I'm a hero (for getting him out), I felt pretty good, I just went up and I wish I could get him out that easily every time," he said.

"He's a great player and I'm happy to have that scalp.

"It was a really good win, bowling them out in 40 overs then getting the runs pretty easy."

Gayle said his feet were always a little slow to move so early in his innings.

"I'd love to tell you what happened first ball to be honest," he said.

"These things do happen to batters, the first ball is always a crucial one, being out there in the middle your legs don't start moving that particularly early, so it's something I always try to avoid but this time I got caught."

The next match of the series takes place at the SCG on Friday.

AAP

Ghanaians rally behind Joshua Clottey

2010-01-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

WBO Welterweight title challenger Joshua Clottey has received the full backing of his countrymen ahead of March 13’s big fight against Manny Pacquiao. Clottey goes into the fight as a huge underdog against the man who has won seven world titles in seven weight categories but Ghanaian boxing chiefs led by former world champion Azumah Nelson have reposed a huge confidence in the 32 year old Joshua Clottey.

“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved. I will advise Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest. We will be there to support him physically and mentally,” stated Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson at the press conference organized by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in Accra this morning to show support for Joshua Clottey. Azumah, now Technical Director of GBA, was surrounded by the bigwigs of Ghanaian boxing as well as top government officials on the high table at the press conference as the nation formally threw support behind the boxer. Clottey who like many of the country’s top boxers have endlessly criticized the GBA for a lack of support, confessed that he goes into the fight against Pacquiao feeling like he is fighting for Ghana for the very first time. “I am encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing today and for the first time I am thinking about the nation which will make things harder for Manny Pacquiao. The nation didn’t support us much in the past but if now they are ready to get behind us, that is the best motivation I can get. And I promise to win the title for Ghana,” Clottey told the press conference at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Joshua still battling US immigration officials in Accra for his trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey and assistant Daniel Clottey to get visa clearances to travel with the boxer to the US, was very emotional on the issue pleading with the US Embassy to even issue a two-month visa for the trainers and it will be enough. He even made a plea to Ghana President Atta Mills to personally get involved to help with the visa application. “The nation is with you in spirit and we pray to God to guide you unto victory. The NSC will also take over the visa issue so that Alloway can travel with Joshua,” said Worlanyo Agrah, CEO of the National Sports Council (NSC) of Ghana before leaving the room of the press conference and returning few minutes later with the promise that the necessary contacts are being made for Clottey’s trainer to be issued with the visa.

Clottey meanwhile is scheduled to depart Accra for the US on Friday hopefully with coach Alloway to begin final preparations for the big fight on March 13. He has again assured his countrymen that nothing will stop him from beating Manny Pacquiao even if the stakes are highly placed against him. “I am taking this fight not for the money but to win the title. I know its Pacquiao but I don’t want people thinking that Manny is super, that nobody can beat him. He is a human being like me. He has lost three times and I have also lost three times. We speak, laugh and share jokes together. I promise that I will dethrone him,” Joshua Clottey said.

By Prince Dornu-Leiku
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The King’s Feat

2010-01-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve always thought of LeBron James as an overrated player. But sometimes, I think he’s worth all the praises he’s getting especially if he’s playing like he did during the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Miami Heat. The Cavs didn’t burned out the Heat with their 92-91 win but rather it was anybody’s game. “Whoever got the last stop was going to win the game. Luckily it was us,” said James.

James poured in 32 points same with Heat’s Wade. Unluckily, Wade’s 30 points came from the first half then the two points from the rest of the second half, “We put ourselves in the right position. Just mistakes tonight that I made that I normally don’t … Cost us,” said D-Wade. Well, it was just one game alright but it was a game between two great NBA players. The only difference Wade has is the ring on his finger, which the King is still seeking out.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AooZfsVtkbLAgMB1KjMz1cO8vLYF?gid=2010012514

February Comes the All-Stars

2010-01-26T11:10:00.001-08:00

February comes the Season of Hearts. But in the hearts of NBA fanatics, the 2^nd month of the year meant the All-Stars. This season’s All-Star games will be held at Dallas on Valentine’s Day. So, who will it be this year? Will the West continue to reign or will King James together with Superman win this time?

Here are the starting lineups:

East

LeBron James F [Cleveland Cavaliers]
Kevin Garnett F [Boston Celtics]
Dwayne Wade G [Miami Heat]
Allen Iverson G [Philadelphia 76ers]
Dwight Howard C [Orlando Magic]

West

Carmelo Anthony F [Denver Nuggets]
Tim Duncan F [San Antonio Spurs]
Kobe Bryant G [LA Lakers]
Steve Nash G [Phoenix Suns]
Amar’e Stoudermire C [Phoenix Suns]

Yep, you read it right. Steve Nash is back on the All-Stars roster despite missing the games last year. Plus, teammate Amar’e Stoudemire will be joining him in the starting lineup. Things couldn’t get any better than that. When asked about going back to Dallas, "Going back to Dallas is always special because I spent six important and impressionable years of my career there. I met a lot of great people and formed a lot of lasting friendships, so it's really special to come back," said Nash.

There’ll definitely be a lot of action in this year’s All-Stars. I’m just not into Nate Robinson playing for the Sprite Slam Dunk again. It’ll be Gerald Wallace this year.

http://www.nba.com/allstar2010/players/