THE VALENCIA CF (SPARTAN) MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO AGAINST FC BARCELONA CONTROVERSY

Lakers Midseason Report

The L.A. Lakers are off to a great start this season. The Lakers are currently 33-8 and have the best record in the NBA. The Lakers lead the Pacific divison by 9.5 games. They have a 5 game lead over the Spurs for home court advantage throughout the Western conference playoffs. The Lakers lead the league in scoring averaging 107.6 points per game. The Lakers are first in rebounding, fourth in field goal percentage and seventh in field goal percentage against.

Kobe Bryant is having another MVP season. Pau Gasol is continuing his stellar play from last season. He is the perfect Robin to Kobe's Batman. The addition of Bynum gives the Lakers a legitimate chance to defeat the Celtics in the NBA Finals this season. Derrick Fisher continues to give the Lakers solid minutes at the point. Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Jordan Farmar make up the deepest bench in the NBA. If the Lakers can continue playing at their current level, they have a great chance to win the NBA champio! nship.

WUSA

"I certainly hope that we will have something to announce within the next four weeks," Tonya Antonucci says.

Controversial penalty gives the US Gold Cup title

The U.S. Women's National Team earned a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against Canada to claim their third CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup championship on Sunday evening at The Home Depot Center. The USA victory came courtesy of a stoppage time penalty kick from team captain Kristine Lilly in the game's 120th minute after midfielder Carli Lloyd was fouled in the area by Canadian defender Robyn Gayle.

North Carolina 0, Mexico WNT 1

Mexico controlled the pace, using deft passing and the right touch on long balls to stay on the offensive most of the game.
While the Lady Tar Heels had chances, including Sterling Smith's shot high over the goal from inside the 6-yard box, it was the Mexicans who excelled.
Mexico scored the winning goal in the second half when Luz del Rosario Saucedo Soto slotted the ball to the far post past the North Carolina goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.

Fawcett reaches Hall

Since 1998, seven members of the famed 1991 United States Women's National Team, which won the inaugural women's World Cup, have earned election to the Hall. On Thursday, Joy Fawcett made it eight.
Fawcett made the Hall of Fame cut as the top two vote-getters in the 2009 Player Election.

F1 : 2008 - Lewis Hamilton dates Pussy Cat Doll?

Friday, 18 April 2008

The News of the World can reveal the pair have started dating after meeting at the MTV European Music Awards last week.

Sex kitten Nicole, 29, wowed Lewis with a full-throttle performance of single Baby Love with William of the Black Eyed Peas. Which meant Lewis had! his eyes set on a new grand prix at the bash in Munich, Germany. It is also said that Nicole flies to London to meet him, well things getting hot here... Lets hope Lewis doesn't forget how to drive after this.. I mean drive in the real meaning :)

Picture from: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk

Chelsea to bury phantom goal against Reds

Chelsea could end their Champions League misery against Liverpool to go and win the most coveted trophy in football.


Chelsea beat Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, setting up their third semi-final meeting with Liverpool in the last four seasons. Michael Ballack's header and Frank Lampard's strike hit the final nails in the Fenerbahce coffin, sealing the deal 3-2 on aggregate.


It's true that the Reds are Chelsea's archenemy. Who will forget that 'phantom' goal at Anfield in 2005 by Luis Garcia? It still pains the Blues to think about it. Three years on, they are ! determined to put all that in the past.


Chelsea and Liverpool will meet on 22 April at Anfield before taking the second leg to Stamford Bridge.

WP team announced

The Western Province team to play a friendly against Border Bulldogs has been annouced. A number of senior players will be missing as they are in the Springbok squad or have chosen to take a break after the Super 14. Coach Allistair Coetzee says the game will give them the opportunity to assess the depth of talent they have available and will allow these players another opportunity to put their hands up for selection in this year's ABSA Currie Cup.

The WP team is:
Joe Pietersen, Wylie Human, Dylan Des Fountain, Morgan Newman, Zahier Ryland, Ricardo Croy, Alistair Siegelaar, Justin Melck, David Hendricks, Pieter Myburgh, Rito Hlungwani, Francois van der Merwe, Brok Harris, Deon Fourie, Schalk Ferreira, Replacements: Mark Goosen, Wicus Blaauw, Nico du Plessis, Tyrone Holmes, Danie van der Merwe, PJ Vermeulen, Richard Lawson.

Top seeds advance.

World number one Roger Federer kicked off his chase for a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 demolition of Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty in London. Third seed Novak Djokovic moved safely through to the second round, beating German journeyman Michael Berrer 7-5 2-6 6-3 6-0.

Serbian top seed Ana Ivanovic had had no problems, beating Rossana De Los Rios of Paraguay 6-1 6-2 in under an hour.

Ntini Takes Third, ENG Still in Control

England have moved on to 116 for 3 at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final test against England at the Oval.

Makhaya Ntini claimed his third wicket after removing Allistair Cook for 39.

Cape Town freediver wins in Sweden

Cape Town based Freediver Hanli Prinsloo, image above by Roger Horrocks, has been on the West Coast of Sweden competing in the Nordic Deep Freediving Competition. Hanli said she surprised herself and her competitors by setting 4 new South African records and winning the competition.

Free Immersion is a depth discipline where the diver pulls herself down and back up a rope. Hanli broke the previous record of 42meters by doing a 50meter dive into the black cold waters of the Gullmarsfjord. The pool disciplines started with a Dynamic No Fins record, where the diver swims breaststrok! e under water, here Hanli broke the previous 78 metre record by swimming 126 metres under water. This dive ranks her among the top 5 women in the world. The next day Hanli broke her own Static Apnea record, with a 5minute 39second breath-hold. And on the last day Dynamic With Fins, she broke her own 129meter record by doing a successful 150meter dive, swimming underwater with a monofin. Hanli now holds 4 of the 6 South African Freediving records.

Breakfast Headlines

The Springboks will gather in Cape Town today to start final preparations for their end of year tour to the UK. It will be interesting to see John Smit pack down at tighthead prop where Peter de Villiers says the skipper continue his career. Former Springbok, Joel Stransky, says this means Smit probably won't be a regular starter at hooker anymore.

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Earl Rose glo hy kan 'n verskil maak in die Springbok span. Die 24 jarige los-skakel sal 'n kans kry om te beindruk wanneer die Bokke die maand drie wedstryde in Britanje speel. Maar nie almal dink hy's die regte keuse nie. Stransky, says he's worried about Rose's temperament.
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England manager Martin Johnson is thought to be looking to build a group of senior players to back up new captain Steve Borthwick. The Boks face England on 22 November at Twickenham. Borthwick was given the captain's armband full time yesterday.
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Ajax Cape Town coach Craig Rosslee says he's h! appy his team is getting an opportunity to train in hot weather ahead of a tough week. The Urban Warriors are away to Amazulu in Durban tomorrow and face Supersport at home on Saturday. Ajax Cape Town skipper Brett Evans believes their Telkom Knockout quarterfinal against Golden Arrows will be the most entertaining match to watch. The draw was held yesterday and the Urban Warriors have a home match against Arrows.
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Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the FIFPro world player of the year. The award is voted for by players in over 40 countries. Ronaldo can expect more awards after scoring 42 goals last season.
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West Indies cricket legend Curtley Ambrose believes Saturday's Stanford Super Series match will be a thriller. England face the Caribbean All-Stars. The winners will pocket twenty million pounds, while the losers will go home empty handed. Ambrose says that could bring out the best in the players. England's would-be dollar! millionaire cricketers are banking on a successful warm-up ma! tch agai nst Trinidad & Tobago tonight.
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KZN swimmer Kathryn Meaklim is setting the swimming world alight. The 19 year old grabbed five gold medals at the third leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup in Sydney over the weekend. She won the 200 and 400 metres individual medlies, as well as the 800 metres freestyle, the 200 metres butterfly and the 200 metres breaststroke. Melissa Corfe bettered Charlene Wittstock's 200 metres backstroke record with a time of 2:07.89.
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The first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race is heading towards Cape Town and a 40 knot gale is expected to start a fast run towards the finish of the 6,500 nautical mile leg. Jonno Swain, the South African aboard Telefonica Blue, says they will make the most of the winds, hopefully to close on the leaders.
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Ferrari has threatened to pull out of Formula One if the sport's governing body goes ahead with plans to have a sole engine and transmission supplier in 2010.

All's Well in Stormers Camp

The Stormers are continuing to put in the hours on the field at the Western Province Rugby High Performance Centre ahead of next year's Super 14. The Cape side are up against the Sharks in the opening round on the 14th of February.



Coach Rassie Erasmus says he's been pleasantly surprised by his team's commitment over the last week and a bit since they came together at the beginning of this month. It's Erasmus' second season in charge of the Stormers and at the same time last year he was just getting to ! know his players and his coaching staff. He says things are a whole lot better this time around.

"I think we're on track, I think we're a little bit ahead of where we were this time last year. I've got the Boks back here and we're managing them individually because there are a few guys who've really played a lot of rugby..." Erasmus said.

Erasmus says training has been intense over the past week and will continue like this for the next few weeks before they take a short break over Christmas. He admits there are players who are carrying some niggles and recovering from minor operations but he didn't want to elaborate too much on exactly who those players are.

Gcobani Bobo and Peter Grant both had lengthy spells along the sidelines with shoulder injuries and it's possible they had follow up operations.

Erasmus says he's been impressed with the enthusiasm of the newcommers to the squad who've wasted no time in getting acquainted with! the rest of their teammates. One of the new signings, Hilton ! Lobberts , is still spending quite a lot of time in the gym to fully recover from his injury.

The match against the Sharks will be played at Newlands and kicks off at 5pm.

Draw in favour of Santos and Ajax

The draw for the last 16 in the Nedbank Cup has gone in favour of Ajax Cape Town and Santos.

The People's team has an all PSL clash with struggling Maritzburg United, while The Urban Warriors face first division side Nathi Lions.

Santos team manager Edries Burton says they are fortunate to have a home draw.

"In a Cup competition its also ways difficult, especially coming up against Maritzburg but the one plus is that we are playing at home and hopefully we can get something out of the game. "

Ajax beat Thistle Grove last Saturday to book their place in the next phase of the tournament.

Coach Craig Roslee says they are grateful they don't have to face PSL rivals but they are wary of their opponents.

"We feel this is a very good draw for us seeing that we didn't get a match up with one of our league counterparts but it's still going to be a difficult game because we have to go away from ho! me. This is cup football and these are the games that teams enjoy because they have nothing to lose but we need to go out there and make sure we get the job done."

Belgian Grand Prix: Points of Interest/Qualifying

McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton gets pole position for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. As it relates to the my Points of Interest for the Belgian Grand Prix, this is how its shaping up.

1. The performance of Williams. So far the battle of speed is as expected with Rosberg going quicker than Nakajima. However, it was a surprise to see Nakajima struggle so much in qualifying. As it relates to Williams vs. Red Bull and Honda in qualifying, Webber has been able to show his speed in relation to Coulthard and that the Red Bull chassis is very strong. Williams the last several years have not been able to keep the development pace of the other teams and the performance as the season progresses shows it. However, I was expecting at least one Williams perform better. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see Rosberg in the Williams outqualify both Hondas.

2. Toro Rosso. Watching the performance of Sebastien Bourdais was awesome. He put in very good laps in Q1 (se! tting the best time!) and Q2. Again, being that Toro Rosso chassis is essentially the Red Bull chassis, it is only confirming the strength of the design and development the car has undergone, not to mention the power Ferrari engine which I think the Red Bull team would love to have. Ferrari power is strongly represented in the speed traps in all 3 sectors, particularly in sector 1 via the Ferrari factory team and the 2 customer teams, Toro Rosso and Force India.

3. Speed differential. The speed differential across all sectors is not as pronounced as I expected, but we still have the race to run. However, in the fastest part of the track (sector 1), Ferrari seem to have a distinct advantage which again would indicate more power available. The representation of other teams in different sectors can also be a function of aerodynamic set up and efficiency. For example, Renault is strongly represented in the speed traps for sector 2 and 3 but down in sector 1. Given ! Alonso's qualifying performance, the chassis is working well a! nd they are probably carrying more downforce on the car but it is hurting them in the faster sections, like sector 1.

We will continue to see how these points of interest develop now as we go into the race on Sunday.

Jamie Carragher Can Take Comfort From The Example Of Sami Hyypia

Amid the storm of criticism tossed up by his recent performances, the reports that his legs have gone and his body, wearied by years of battle, is starting to wilt, Jamie Carragher could do worse than turn to a fellow veteran for advice and comfort. Sami Hyypia, too, was written off long ago.

The Finn can sympathise with the man who stood by his side, defiant, in Istanbul, when Liverpool beat AC Milan to win the Champions League in 2005, safe in the knowledge that football has the shortest of memories.

Scarcely 10 games after that miraculous evening by the Bosporus, ! Didier Drogba tore him to shreds as Chelsea ransacked Anfield. The obituaries for Hyypia, Liverpool's rock for a decade, poured in.

Carragher, 31, has endured similar treatment this season. Blamed for Rafa Benítez's team's shortcomings at set pieces and terrorised by Zavon Hines, West Ham's coltish upstart, at Upton Park a fortnight ago, there are those who would suggest that while Carragher's heart and spirit remain, he has taken those first few dreaded steps on the long road to ruin.

Even John Terry, who Carragher will face this afternoon, stands accused of similar weaknesses. The Chelsea captain may be a mere stripling at 28, but such have been his injury problems and so consistently has he put his body on the line that he has the air of one much older than that.

Pace, the received wisdom goes, is too much for Terry and Carragher alike.

Much the same was said of Hyypia after that torrid afternoon in the presence of Drogba. Yet,! three years later, three years older, the Finn stepped from t! he shado ws at Old Trafford to marshal Liverpool's backline in a 4-1 demolition. The lesson? Pace is no guarantee of quality, age no obstacle to class.

"First and foremost, you have to be a good player," says Hyypia. "If you cannot control the ball, or read the game, you can be as fast as you want, but it does not make you a better or more reliable player.

"That is not to say that you do not need athletic basics and a certain standard of pace. But whatever your attributes, you need quality to cope with the Premier League, or the Bundesliga, whatever league you are playing in. But you cannot underestimate how high the value of experience in football is."

Carragher has plenty of that, dealing with problems on the pitch and criticism off it. The last half a decade, under the tutelage of Benítez and beside the experience of Hyypia, has provided welcome respite from the doubts which circled the boy from Bootle early in his career.

Yet the fact t! hat his name became a byword for solidity, reliability and courage seems to have been forgotten after a shaky start to the season. Carragher has looked nervy and exposed as his fullbacks, Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua, raid forward, dragging Liverpool's defensive line further upfield and away from their vice-captain's comfort zone.

Carragher, unquestionably, is at his best with his back to the wall. He thrives, like Terry, in his role as lion-in-chief, exhorting and encouraging, delighting in his heroics. The old dog has found it difficult to learn the new trick of adapting to life as part of a team wielding the cosh, rather than resisting it.

It was the space behind Johnson, behind Carragher, which Hines exploited to such devastating effect at Upton Park and that Stevan Jovetic made the most of in Florence last week.

With Martin Skrtel, his usually impeccable partner, struggling to rediscover the form which made him one of Benítez's most ! accomplished performers last season, Daniel Agger injured and ! Sotiris Kyrgiakos limited, Carragher has had to endure his poor form without backup. The vultures, circling, have swooped.

Hyypia, though, provides solace for his erstwhile team-mate. Now 35, the Finn has left the comfortable surrounds of Anfield for a new life at a Bayer Leverkusen side enjoying a bright start to a typically open Bundesliga season. While he admits the quality is not as high as the top four or five in England, the football is still fast and athletic.

"It shows I was right to think I could still play at the highest level," says Hyypia. "I have not changed the way I play as I have got older. I have always played like Sami Hyypia, and I am still capable of doing my job every week."

Carragher, four years his junior, and Terry, a further three years younger, can take heart. Their days are far from numbered.

Tranmere Sign Reds Keeper Martin

Tranmere Rovers have signed Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin on a one-month loan deal.

The 23-year-old former England Under-20 international spent a successful loan period with League One Champions Leicester City last season.

"Saturday's game is very important and, with Luke Daniels being suspended, we needed an experienced goalkeeper," said Rovers caretaker manager Les Parry.

Tranmere face Brighton at Prenton Park in Parry's second game in charge.

Parry is confident that Martin will prove a shrewd acquisition.

"He's very highly rated and was one of the best goal! keepers in League One last season.

"He played a lot of games for Leicester City, keeping clean sheets in almost half of them.

"I'd like to thank Rafa Benitez and John McMahon for allowing him to come to us for a month."

Martin, who joined Liverpool from MK Dons in January 2006, also had a loan spell with Accrington Stanley two seasons ago.

Hansen: United Don't Inspire The Same Fear They Did Last Season

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes the Premier League champions Manchester United are not the same proposition minus the attacking threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, who left Old Trafford in the summer to join Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively.

Hansen told footballpools.com: "I was very surprised at Manchester United's performance at Anfield which lacked the quality and the desire that we are all used to."

"My old club thoroughly deserved to beat the champions on the day which will relieve some of the mounting pressure on manager Rafa Benitez."

"Whether this will be the catalyst behind a sustained run of form which could signal a title challenge remains to be seen but if Liverpool were to stand any chance of title success they needed to win that game."

"Fernando Torres is not 100% fit but his importance to the Reds was underlined in the way he took his! goal. There are few better strikers in the world, let alone the Premier League and his performance in comparison to United striker Dimitar Berbatov was vastly superior."

"Manchester United may be just two points off the top of the table but there's no doubt they are far from firing on all cylinders."

"They certainly missed the combative Darren Fletcher at Anfield as they lacked a destructive player in the middle of the park to break up Liverpool's attacks."

"At the moment, United don't inspire the same fear they did at times last season with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side and Carlos Tevez waiting in the wings."

"Wayne Rooney fought hard yesterday but his striker partner Berbatov looked disinterested at times and certainly wasn't up for a physical battle with Liverpool centre-halves Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger."

"There's no doubt the Bulgarian has superb ability but he has yet to show the fighting spirit synonymous ! with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson."

Caschi d’Oro awards recognise riders of the year

Wednesday, 09 December 2009

Valentino Rossi was the guest of honour at Caschi d’Oro award ceremony in Bologna on Monday, organised by Italian publication Motosprint.

MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi received two awards at the Caschi d’Oro awards in Bologna this week.

The 30 year-old was given the Casco d’Oro (Golden Helmet) for his 2009 World title, and Top Rider, which was voted for by readers of Motosprint.

The ceremony also rewarded several others, with World Championship riders Andrea Dovizioso, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini all receiving awards, along with MX1 World Champion Antonio Cairoli.

Giampiero Sacchi, Piaggio’s Head of Sport, picked up the Italian group’s awards for the 250cc and 125cc constructors’ titles.

Moto2 progress made at sunny Valencia

Wednesday, 09 December 2009

The first day of testing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia ended with several Moto2 teams giving their developing prototypes a run out.

In winter sunshine at the Spanish track, a host of teams’ preparations for the new Moto2 category continued as the first of a two-day test in Valencia was completed.

Amongst those participating were the BQR, Italtrans STR, Tech 3, Mapfre Aspar and Pons Kalex teams, as they sought to maximise the chance to gain further insight into the development of their machines.

Raffaele de Rosa for Tech 3 and Sergio Gadea for Pons Kalex both had their first experiences aboard Moto2 bikes, and the Aspar structure followed up on their test at the same track a few weeks previously by again using the BQR prototype. Mike di Meglio and Julián Simón were given more time to acclimatise to the workings of the 600cc 4-stroke machine.

Working tirelessly between the hours of 11am and 4pm, 125cc World Champion Simón consistently lapped at around the 1’38” mark, finally setting a best time of 1’37.91 as he completed 63 turns. Di Meglio overcame issues with the gears and front brake on his machine, which reduced his time on the track, to put in 50 laps, registering a 1’39.3 in his final session of the day.

Di Meglio made a modification to the chassis of his bike towards the end which resulted in a slight improvement, and both he and Simón will continue their test on Thursday.

“Today we have progressed with the set-up of the bike. The truth is that everything is new, but step by step we have been getting better, and assessing the feeling I have with the chassis,” said Simón. “We had doubts over whether there would be some chattering, like the last time we tested here, but I felt comfortable for most of the session. We worked mainly on the front fork to gain confidence when braking, and towards the end we used a softer tyre which we achieved decent times with. It’s the first official test I’ve had and I’m very happy with the feeling of the 4-stroke machine. We can still improve with the cornering, but I’m satisfied with the progress we’re making.”

Team-mate Di Meglio said, “Today was a bit complicated, because we had some problems with gear changes and the brakes. We slowly improved that, but we ran out of time for the day. With the chassis, I felt a little less comfortable than the last time I tried the Moto2 bike here, but I think we can continue the evolution of it tomorrow after what we found late on today. On the last run of today, I went out on the track with a new configuration of the chassis, and I managed to improve my times. They are still far from good though, so we must not rest. I hope the good weather continues tomorrow and we can keep working to better understand the Moto2 bike.”

2009 season review: Toni Elías

Thursday, 10 December 2009

This year was the highest-ever MotoGP end of season classification for the San Carlo Honda Gresini rider, as he placed seventh.

Toni Elías returned to the San Carlo Honda Gresini team for 2009, having spent a year away with Ducati, and the first half of his season was similar to that of team-mate Alex de Angelis as results proved hard to come by.

Two seasons with the Gresini outfit in 2006 and 2007 had produced three podiums, including a win in Portugal in 2006, so with a factory bike at his disposal in 2009 there were high hopes Elías could push for similar results.

He found it difficult to challenge for the top spots in the first seven races of the campaign however, with two ninth places his highest finishes. A qualification spot of fifth at Catalunya made it seem like the Spaniard had found his form in round six, but a crash in the race led to disappointment.

An upturn in fortunes came with back-to-back sixth places at Laguna Seca (where he also qualified in sixth) and Sachsenring (where he rose from 17th on the grid) and, after another crash at Donington, Elías recovered to record his best result of the season in Czech Republic.

His only podium of the year at Brno with a third place behind Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa was followed by a more consistent run throughout the remainder of the campaign, as Elías picked up sixth spot at San Marino, Estoril and in the final race at Valencia.

Elías’ form came too late to hold onto his ride next season with Gresini in the premier class, and while his future still remains undecided he tested a Gresini Moriwaki Moto2 bike in Valencia at the end of the season.

Productive second day for Moto2 teams

Thursday, 10 December 2009

The second day of the Moto2 test at Valencia was again a positive experience on Thursday, with the sunny conditions prompting some teams to consider extending their schedule into a third day on Friday.

The same teams that turned out on Wednesday were out on track at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit for a second day of testing on Thursday, with further data collected from the developing prototypes that will eventually race in the inaugural Moto2 season in 2010.

Mapfre Aspar riders Julián Simón and Mike di Meglio continued with the BQR machine they rode on Wednesday, and took the Pons Kalex bike out late on in Thursday’s session.

Simón tested Öhlins suspension in a change from the Showa forks he rode on on day one, and later tried out the Pons Kalex bike for five laps. The Spaniard was very satisfied with his experiences.

“The change in suspension allowed me to go faster in some corners but slower in others, so we’re trying all possibilities,” said the 125cc World Champion, who rode 64 laps and posted a best time of 1’37.7. “I recorded very similar times to yesterday. I think we’re working well, because we’re moving forward.”

“Late on I tried the Pons Kalex, and had a good feeling with it. These two days have proved a lot, and the aim was to get used to riding a 4-stroke machine. We are getting there, and I am very satisfied because I’m feeling more comfortable every time I ride.”

Team-mate Di Meglio spent most of the day riding a Yamaha supersport bike, and like Simón took the Pons Kalex out for his final five laps. The Frenchman improved on his best time from Wednesday and was lapping at a consistent time, as he grew more comfortable with the 600cc bike too.

“It’s been quite positive,” said Di Meglio, who took in 70 laps and registered a best time of 1’38.4. “I rode a supersport and understood more about my riding on a 4-stroke bike. On the last run of the day I also tried the Pons Kalex, which I liked a lot. Fortunately we had no incidents and I could concentrate on my riding all day and nothing else. I enjoyed both bikes and accumulated plenty of laps.”

Some of the teams involved in the test – BQR, Italtrans STR, Mapfre Aspar, Tech 3 and Pons Kalex have all been present at the track – will be extending their test into Friday, despite it having only been scheduled for two days.

2009 season review: Andrea Dovizioso

Friday, 11 December 2009

A second season in the premier class for the Italian, his first on a factory bike, started well but ended with him losing the fight for fifth spot by a single point.

An impressive rookie season in 2008 from Andrea Dovizioso was rewarded with fifth place and a factory ride with the Repsol Honda team in 2009, and the Italian’s season got off to a very promising start.

Finishes of fifth in the opening two races of the season in Qatar and Japan were quickly followed by a hat-trick of fourth places in France, Italy and Catalunya as Dovizioso rose to fourth in the standings, ahead of Dani Pedrosa.

However, a series of three DNFs then saw Dovizioso lose ground in his pursuit of the higher places, slipping to seventh after Germany. Those crashes at Assen, Laguna Seca and Sachsenring meant that strong results for the remainder of the season were needed if he was to regain hope of at least matching his 2008 achievement.

The response was immediate from Dovizioso, as he rode a highly impressive race at Donington in testing conditions to record his first MotoGP win. A trio of fourth places at Brno, Indianapolis and Misano in the races that followed placed him back in fifth spot.

A fourth crash of the season in Malaysia in the penultimate round of the calendar and an eighth-placed finish in Valencia made for a difficult end to Dovizioso’s second premier class season though, as he was denied fifth place in the standings by one point.

Continuing for Repsol Honda next season, Dovizioso will be determined to build on his maiden premier class win in 2010.

Friday feeling good for Moto2 teams

Friday, 11 December 2009

An extra day of testing at Valencia on Friday allowed teams to gain further track time.

Initially intended as a two-day test for the developing Moto2 bikes ahead of the new category’s first season in 2010, a third day was completed on Friday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

Interest in the FTR Moto M209 grew as three more riders tried the bike out on Friday. The last three 125cc World Champions – Julián Simón (2009), Mike di Meglio (2008) and Gabor Talmacsi (2007) – all rode the M209, joining Karel Abraham (Cardion AB) who tested it on Thursday.

FTR director Steve Bones said, “What we have now is very much a prototype and has been built primarily for research and development purposes. At present we have around 30 improvements – some major and some minor – in progress for next year’s race machine.”

Mapfre Aspar team-mates Simón and Di Meglio added the M209 to the bikes they have tested over the three days on Friday, having ridden the BQR and Pons Kalex machines on the previous two days. Abraham also tested the Pons Kalex bike at Valencia this week, as did Hector Faubel.

Axel Pons and Sergio Gadea gave positive feedback on the Pons Kalex prototype, which they concluded testing on Thursday.

“I’ve been feeling physically stronger each time I’ve been out on track,” said Pons, who had an operation to remove pins from his legs just two weeks ago. “I have noticed that I’ve been making progress, and I think I managed a very acceptable time (1’38.7 on Thursday) given that this is only the second time on this track with the bike.”

Gadea, whose best time was a turn of 1’39.2, said, “I found a good feeling with the bike and I’m very happy to have had this opportunity. The bike’s easier to ride than I thought, and I’ve realised how high the technical standard of this team is.”

Team manager Sito Pons was pleased with how the test went, and commented, “All the riders have given us a very satisfactory response, which has given us a clear idea that the development of the bike is going well. There is still work to do as this is only the second outing of the bike, and Almeria will allow us to do this.”

Both Pons and Gadea will test the machine again at Almeria from December 14-15, whilst testing of the FTR M209 is also expected to take place at the circuit next week.

Sexy Young Girls Picture

Girl from Taiwan. Picture taken for casting photograph of advertisement in magazine. As model girl May Liu has accustomed faces camera, and she hardly enjoys the profession.

Han Ye Seul Korean Girls with Yellow Dresses

Han Ye Seul Korean Girls with Yellow Dresses

Beattie flies the flag

By John Hopkins

TORONTO, ON -- Petrolia, ON's Steve Beattie led the Canadian contingent through the opening two rounds of the AMA Hot Shoe dirt track series.

Last Friday at Oglethorpe Speedway in Savannah, GA Beattie was the lone Canadian to qualify for any of the four finals and placed 12th in 505 Expert on his Honda. The race was won by Ken Coolbeth. Other Oglethorpe victors were Chris Carr in 750/1000 Expert, AJ Eslick in H-D Sportster and Chase Sconyers in 505 Pro Sport.

On Sunday at Volusia Speedway Park Beattie cracked the 750/1000 Expert and 505 Expert features. He took sixth in the 750/1000 Expert and fifth in 505 Expert. Jared Mees won both features.

Other Volusia winners were Clayton Riggle in H-D Sportster and Gary Conklin in 505 Pro Sport.

The Hot Shoe series was slated to continue tonight at Daytona's Municipal Stadium but has been called due to rain.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Lange fifth in Anaheim

By John Hopkins

ANAHEIM, CA -- Richmond Kawasaki's Darcy Lange finished fifth in the opening round of the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites series in Anaheim Saturday night.

The Courtenay, BC rider actually grabbed the holeshot for the main event before giving way to fellow Kawasaki rider Ryan Villipoto by the end of the opening lap.

Andrew Short grabbed the lead from Villipoto on lap 9 and went on to win the race on his Honda. Villipoto settled for second and Billy Laninovich was third on a Honda.

Kawasaki's James Stewart carried his Canadian success over to California by winning the Supercross main event from Yamaha rider Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael on a Suzuki.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

John Wall Narrows List

Rivals.com #1 ranked recruit John Wall has narrowed his list to seven schools. N.C. State, Duke, Memphis, Baylor, Kansas, Miami and Kentucky are all in the running for the PG to join their team next year. Coach Calipari is out of the recruiting trail this week and I would imagine he will be paying a visit to Mr. Wall. Although Wall will more than likely start wherever he goes Kentucky is in desperate need of PG.

Your Sports List

This would be more of a radio topic but I am kind of interested in what you guys feel are some of your best sports memories, heroes, and moments.

My favorite baseball player of all-time: Kirby Puckett, you may ask why would a Cincinnatian select Kirby Puckett as their favorite player of all time? I have the answer for you, because he was fat. Sure Kirby wasn't that big but he was short and stocky. Kirby gave 100% all the time and as a kid he was fun to watch. In 1992 I was just really getting into baseball and Kirby and the Twins were on top. I loved Barry Larkin, Reggie Sanders, and other Reds players but Kirby has always been the man for me.

Baseball player I wished I could have watched: Roberto Clemente. Clemente was a player that I learned about early in elementary school because of his humanitarian efforts. From early on in my youth I was very interested in what he did both on an! d off the field. I can remember when ESPN came out with ESPN Classic my uncle Tim taped a game with Clemente in it. I watched that game in awe. I wish I could have witnessed in person.

Favorite Memory at the Ballpark: I can't remember the year but I can remember who we saw. It was my brother, myself, and my uncle Tim. It was at Riverfront in the blue seats, we were on the first base side and the Reds were playing the San Diego Padres. Bip Roberts led off the first inning with a Triple, he ran the bases so fast it seemed like he flew. I remember that very vividly. I don't recal much more of the game other than sitting and enjoying the game. But that is one of my favorite memories at the ballpark.

This is a start, what about you? What are some of your memories or your highlights? I may add some more as we go.

NFL Survival Game

Here are the week 1 results for the new NKYSportsWorld Survival Football, if you player failed to reach the benchmark stats he will be bolded and you will lose that slot for the rest of the season.

Adam:
Team: Cincinnati Bengals (Won)
Rusher: Cedric Benson (74 yards)
Passer: Brett Favre (TBD)
TD Catch: Steve Smith NYG (2 TD's)

Redleg2420:
Team: Indianapolis (Won)
Rusher: Chris Johnson (83 yards)
Passer: Jay Cutler (141 yards)
TD Catch: Chad Ochocinco (2 TD's)

SHU:
Team: Cincinnati Bengals (Won)
Rusher: Brandon Jacobs (92 yards)
Passer: Carson Palmer (230 yards)
TD Catch: Reggie Wayne (1 TD)

Matt:
Team: NY Giants (Won)
Rusher: Matt Forte (121 yards)
Passer: Matt Shaub (224 yards)
TD Catch: Andre Johnson (0 TD)

Wojo:
Team: Indianapolis! Colts (Won)
Rusher: Cedric Benson (74 yards)
Passer: Jay Cutler (141 yards)
TD Catch: Andre Johnson (0 TD's)

Now remember if your category is bolded you failed to reach the benchmark stats so you lose that survival category. Everyone lost at least one category this week so next week will get interesting! Good luck!

Now This Would Be March Madness

-Keefe



It's that time of the year. March. Everyone in world will fill out a bracket in a couple weeks and hope and pray a team they never heard of either pulls an upset or doesn't shock the world by sending their team home. You hear the arguments that the college game is better than the pros. "It's team basketball." "There's no ego." Well some could counter and say, especially a couple years ago there was no talent. Bill Simmons pointed out that just a couple years ago Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick were the best players in the college game. Really? And people like this better?

There was also an article written a couple years ago that outlined what the NCAA tournament could possibly look like if players could not leave early. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, ! and another season of Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor at UConn made up the article. It was a great read. I'm not trying to recreate that piece, rather I'm just pointing out all the players that could actually still be playing college hoops, and it's quite remarkable, even with the rule that you can't jump to the draft following high school.

Here is each NBA team with their players that could still be in college. The college team they played for is in parenthesis and if they did not attend, where they committed or signed with is in italics. Take a look…

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith (Indiana), Marvin Williams (North Carolina), Al Horford (Florida).

Boston Celtics: Glen Davis (LSU), Rajon Rondo (Kentucky), Gabe Pruitt (USC).

Charlotte Bobcats: None

Chicago Bulls: Tyrus Thomas (LSU), Joakim Noah (Florida), JamesOn Curry (Oklahoma St! ate), Cedric Simmons (NC State).

Cleveland Cavaliers: Daniel Gibson (Texas).

Dallas Mavericks: None.

Denver Nuggets: J.R. Smith (North Carolina), Taurean Green (Florida)

Detroit Pistons: Aaron Afflalo (UCLA), Amir Johnson (Louisville), Rodney Stuckey (Eastern Washington).

Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis (Mississippi State), Brandan Wright (North Carolina), Patrick O'Bryant (Bradley).

Houston Rockets: Gerald Green (Oklahoma State).

Indiana Pacers: Shawne Williams (Memphis).

Los Angeles Clippers: Shaun Livingston (Duke).

Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Farmar (UCLA), Andrew Bynum (UConn! ).

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay (UConn), Mike Conley Jr. (Ohio State), Javaris Critteton (Georgia Tech), Kyle Lowry (Villanova).

Miami Heat: Daequan Cook (Ohio State), Dorrell Wright (No Idea).

Milwaukee Bucks: None. (Duke probably could have paid Yi to come.)

Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferson (Arkansas), Sebastian Telfair (Louisville), Corey Brewer (Florida).


New Jersey Nets: Sean Williams (Boston College).

New Orleans Hor! nets: Julian Wright (Kansas).

New ! York Kni cks: Randolph Morris (Kentucky), Wilson Chandler (DePaul).

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard (Some very lucky school).

Philadelphia 76ers: Louis Williams (Georgia), Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech), Jason Smith (Colorado State).

Phoenix Suns: None.

Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden (Ohio State), LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas), Josh McRoberts (Duke), Martell Webster (No College).

Sacramento Kings: Spencer Hawes (Washington).

San Antonio Spurs: None.

Seattle Super Sonics: Kevin Durant (Texas), Jeff Green (Georgetown), Robert Swift (USC).

Toronto Raptors: None.

Utah Jazz: C.J. Miles (Texas).

Washington Wiz! ards: Nick Young (USC), Andray Blatche (No College), Dominic McGuire (Fresno State).

(How about those Texas Longhorns? They could have a lineup of Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, C.J. Miles, Daniel Gibson, and D.J. Augustin with A.J. Abrams coming off the bench. Good lord. UNC would add Marvin Williams, J.R. Smith, and Brandan Wright to their team which is already #1 in the country, and UConn could team up Rudy Gay and Andrew Bynum to their solid nucleus.)

By my count that's 53 players currently in the NBA who would still be hitting the books and playing on "Big Monday's" and "Super Tuesday's" if they couldn't leave early. How exciting would March Madness be with this talent level? Tyler Hansborough has had a great season, don't get me wrong, but he would be hard pressed to even be Honorable Mention All – American with the likes of Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, Kevin Durant, Andrew Bynum, a! nd Monta Ellis on the scene. I mean even Marvin Williams and B! randan W right on his own team would be stealing some of the hype.

If it wasn't for the "no high school players in the draft" rule, most of the best players in the country would not even be there this year. Michael Beasley (got to be the player of the year), Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, O.J. Mayo, Bill Walker (would be in the NBA if not for the rule), DeAndre Jordan, Jerryd Bayless, and Kevin Love make this year's bracket much richer in talent. How watered down would it be without these guys?

Obviously a "4 years of college" rule would be ridiculous, but imagine the level of play. The high school rule was a step supposedly put in place to help the NBA, and it probably has, however college basketball has benefited even more. The rule is just 2 years old and we could see back-to-back freshmen win Player of the Year. (Durant and Beasley). We thought the Oden/ Durant rivalry was great, and I'd have to say this year's freshmen class as a whole is even better.
Butt! on line: what was a good move for the NBA, has become a great move for college basketball.

(Just for fun, if it was a 4-year must rule, LeBron James and Chris Paul would be leading a solid rookie class in the NBA right now…)

Remember This?

I've been talking about old school WWF with some of the guys from work recently, and you know what? I miss it. It was a better time, a simpler time. Characters were colorful, gimmicks were both ridiculous and amazing. Maybe we were just younger, I don't know. Enjoy these great youtube highlights from a strange but unbelievable time in the WWF. Think in between Hogan/ Warrior and Stone Cold/ The Rock.

Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini enjoyed a winning return to former club Villarreal.

Kaka netted his first competitive goal for Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo was again on the mark.

Ronaldo, as he did against Xerez at the weekend, scored almost immediately after kick-off to give Madrid a flying start and then Kaka slotted home a second-half penalty to seal the Whites' fourth successive win of the season.

Villarreal had been reduced to 10 men by the tim! e of that goal after captain Gonzalo Rodriguez had been sent off in 35th minute.

The Yellow Submarine were angered by that decision, and also by the penalty, but both stood and Ernesto Valverde's side are still looking for their first win of the season.

It is a different story for big-spending Madrid, who have enjoyed an almost perfect start under new coach Pellegrini, who left Villarreal this summer.

Ronaldo took less than a minute to break the deadlock in Sunday's 5-0 defeat of Xerez, and he needed just a few seconds longer to repeat the feat today.

A brilliant turn on the halfway line saw the Portugal international escape the attentions of marker Angel Lopez, and no Villarreal player could get close enough to put in a challenge as he raced towards the penalty area, stepped inside two defenders before drilling a low 20-yard shot past Diego Lopez.

It was a moment of magic from the FIFA World Player of the Year, who now has five goals in t! he league already, and sparked a first half which saw Madrid e! njoy muc h the better of proceedings.

But, like Sunday's match, the Spanish giants found it difficult to build on their early lead, with Gonzalo Higuain the biggest culprit.

He saw one effort blocked following another good run by Ronaldo, before blazing a great chance over in front of goal after a slick move involving Guti, Kaka, Ronaldo and Marcelo had presented him with the opportunity.

Madrid then received a further boost in the 35th minute when Villarreal were reduced to 10 men.

Gonzalo, having been booked earlier for a foul on Ronaldo, was shown a second yellow after catching Kaka in the ribs as he attempted to clear the ball whilst grounded.

The Villarreal players were far from impressed by the decision, but they could do nothing about it and were left with an even bigger mountain to climb to get back into the game.

And that challenge could have been even greater if Ronaldo had managed to keep his volley down just before the break, with! the ball flying just over the crossbar.

Villarreal, who had taken just two points from their opening three games, had it all to do to try and get back into the game after the break, but to be fair to Valverde's side they gave it a good go.

Giuseppe Rossi saw a tame shot saved by Iker Casillas before moments later seeing a much better effort parried by the Spain number one.

Santi Cazorla also went close twice as well, firing in a dipping 30-yard drive that just missed the top corner before bringing another save out of Casillas.

Amongst those chances Madrid came desperately close to doubling their lead, with Higuain denied by a mixture of Lopez and a goalline clearance by Angel, before Ronaldo saw his follow-up effort blocked by Lopez.

Higuain's night was to come to an end soon after that as he was replaced by captain Raul, who equalled Manuel Sanchis' club record of 524 league appearances when he entered the action, and soon afterwards Mad! rid were celebrating their second goal.

Once again the ! Villarre al players were left fuming at referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez following his decision to award a penalty against Angel after Marcelo's cross had struck the sliding full-back's arm.

The home side's protest fell on deaf ears again, though, and Kaka, taking over the penalty duties from Ronaldo, stepped up to roll home his maiden competitive goal for the club.

Ronaldo almost added a third when his 25-yard free-kick brought a good diving save out of Lopez, but it mattered little as the visitors comfortably saw out the remaining time to join La Liga leaders Barcelona on 12 points.

Krumm takes Korea Open title

Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm beat Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3 6-3 to win the Hansol Korea Open in Seoul.

On the eve of her 39th birthday, Date Krumm is just a shade younger than Billie Jean King when the American won in Birmingham in 1983 at 39 years, seven months and 23 days.

It marks a remarkable comeback for Date Krumm, who returned to the tour in April 2008 12 years after retiring.

Date Krumm, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open back in 1992 and who beat top ! seed Daniela Hantuchova in the quarter-finals in Seoul, said: "For the past year, I didn't really know if I could really compete well on the WTA Tour, but it looks okay now.

"I'll have to be careful not to get any injuries, but I think I'll be able to keep playing for a couple of years."

It was Date Krumm's eighth tour title, although before the Korean Open she had lost all eight of her previous matches on the tour.

Nikolay Davydenko through to Shanghai Masters final with win over Novak Djokovic

Nikolay Davydenko came from a set down to defeat second seed Novak Djokovic and reach the final of the Shanghai Masters.

Serbian Djokovic was made to work hard to take the first set, but Davydenko fought back confidently to take the second.

And the Russian sixth seed hung in there in the third set to reach a tie-break which he won with some fine play to seal a 4-6, 6-4 7-6, (7/1) victory.

Djokovic saved a break point in game three and again in game nine as Davydenko probed his opponent.

But the Serbian show! ed his class to put pressure on the Davydenko serve, racing to 0-40 before converting to claim the first set.

However, Davydenko was unfazed, breaking in game seven of the second set as Djokovic pushed a forehand long.

Davydenko set up two more break points in game nine with a forehand pass but Djokovic took the game to deuce before holding.

It was only prolonging the inevitable though as Davydenko served out to level the match.

In game six of the third set Djokovic was poised to strike at 0-40, but Davydenko won five points in a row to hold.

Davydenko earned break points in the next game after taking Djokovic to deuce but the Serbian held on.

Davydenko served to stay in the match at 5-4, then Djokovic went 6-5 ahead with the help of an audacious drop shot, before the Russian took the set into a tie-breaker.

The sixth seed secured an immediate mini-break, then raced into a 5-0 lead! with a sublime passing shot as Djokovic crumbled.

Djokov ic won back one of the mini-breaks but netted to give his opponent five match points.

And a stylish crosscourt forehand sent Davydenko into the final.

Salzburg 1-0 Levski Sofia

Salzburg took a massive step towards securing their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with victory over Levski Sofia.

Dusan Svento's goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to give the Austrian side a third successive win in Group G.

With Lazio snatching a 2-1 win over Villarreal in Rome tonight, Salzburg are three points clear of their Italian rivals with the top two teams qualifying.

Salzburg boss Huub Stevens had challenged his side to produce a reaction to the d! isappointing league defeat by Austria Vienna which left them ahead of their opponents only on goal difference.

And they did just that despite the absence of star striker Marc Janko.

Janko, last season's top scorer in the Austrian league by some distance, suffered a thigh injury at the weekend.

Midfielder Nikola Pokrivac overcame a bout of flu to start along with full-back Rabiu Afolabi.

Levski looked like ideal opponents for Salzburg to face, sporting director Georgi Ivanov having taken over as caretaker boss following the resignation of Serbian Ratko Dostanic after a poor start to the season.

Levski are labouring at home, lying ninth in the table with only 10 points from eight games, and the weekend defeat to Beroe Stara Zagora proved the final nail in Dostanic's coffin.

As expected the home side were quickly on the front foot and midfielder Yordan Miliev made a number of clearances from inside the area as Levski defended deep.

!

Goalkeeper Georgi Petkov had been largely untroubled howev! er, unti l the 17th minute when he tipped Pokrivac's 20-yard drive round the post.

Alexander Zickler then headed a cross from Pokrivac wide of the post before the visitors almost took a shock lead with 20 minutes gone.

Striker Hristo Yovov found space just six yards out but looked on in despair as his right-foot shot came back off the post.

The home side eventually regained the upper hand and took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Svento fired home from 20 yards.

Salzburg goalkeeper Eddie Gustafsson had been largely a spectator in the opening period but was up to the task when eventually called into action, saving long-range efforts from Georgi Sarmov and Cedric Bardon.

The visitors refused to give in but never really looked like getting back on level terms.

Almagro survives to battle through

Fifth seed Nicolas Almagro survived a first-round scare before beating Peter Luczak in the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy in Vienna.

The Spaniard dropped the first set and was taken to a tie-break in the second before coming through 5-7 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 in two hours 14 minutes.

Romania's Victor Crivoi converted four of 11 break points on his way to a 6-3 6-3 win over Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic.

Germany's Daniel Brands defeated American Robert Kendrick 7-6 (! 7/5) 7-5, but there was an American winner today as qualifier Wayne Odesnik claimed a 6-2 5-7 7-6 (8/6) success over Czech player Lukas Rosol.

Portugal's Frederico Gil saw off home favourite Stefan Koubek 4-6 6-4 4-3.

Australia level series 2-2

Let down by the batsmen, India slumped to a 24-run defeat in the fourth one-dayer against Australia in Mohali.

This defeat not only allowed Australia to level the seven-match series 2-2 but also prolonged the hosts' wait to become the number one ODI team in the world.

Chasing 251, India got off to a flier with Virender Sehwag (30 off 19 balls) looking eager to wrap up the issue and Sachin Tendulkar (40) going great guns.

But their undoing was no less spectacular as the middle and lowe! r could not forge a single significant partnership and the team folded for 226 in 46.4 overs.

Earlier put into bat, Australia stitched together half-centuries from Ponting (52) and White (62) and cameos from Shane Watson (49) and Michael Hussey (40) to reach 250 before wilting in 49.2 overs.

India's chase got off to a blazing start with Sehwag displaying the kind of power-hitting on which he has built his career around.

The first ball raced to the fence off his blade faster than it had arrived and it was a bad omen for Mitchell Johnson.

The hapless birthday boy copped three boundaries in his next over and an encore of the treatment meant the Australian spearhead had hemorrhaged 34 runs in his first three overs before Ponting spared further trauma by withdrawing him from attack.

Click here for! Scoreca rd

Teams:

India: SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, SK Raina, V Kohli, MS Dhoni*†, RA Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, A Nehra, P Kumar, I Sharma.

Australia: SR Watson, SE Marsh, RT Ponting*, CL White, MEK Hussey, MC Henriques, MG Johnson, GA Manou†, NM Hauritz, PM Siddle, DE Bollinger.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Result Group B

Group B

8/12/08 Puket Thai Land

17:00

Malaysia 2 : 3 Viet Nam

Mal: Mahayuddin 20', 85'.

Viet: Loung 16', Vu Phong 72', 88'.

19:30

Thai Land 6 : 0 Laos

Rangsiyo 19', Phetphun 30', Sunthornphit 40', 52', Sangsanoi 79', 89'.

Sammarco: "Udinese più equilibrata"

di Orazio Resta
Fonte: ilcalciomercato.it

L'amichevole contro il Rijeka di sabato pomeriggio è servita a Pasquale Marino per testare Paolo Sammarco . L'ex sampdoriano si è ben comportato, dimostrando di mettercela tutta quando viene chiamato in causa. Con il passaggio dal 4-3-3 al 4-4-2 il centrocampista potrà trovare maggiore spazio in un modulo a lui congeniale. 'Nel nuovo modulo mi trovo a mio agio. Nella mia carriera ho semp! re giocato in questo ruolo, coprendo la posizione di uno dei due centrali di centrocampo. Ora siamo molto equilibrati nonostante i due esterni nascano come attaccanti. Sono entrambi molto bravi, si sacrificano molto e riescono a fare anche la fase difensiva'.

Dopo i complimenti raccolti a San Siro, nonostante il ko contro l'Inter, L'udinese si prepara a ospitare l'Atalanta, fanalino di coda del campionato. 'E' una squadra in forte crescita dopo un inizio difficile. Gli orobici giocano in maniera speculare alla nostra, con gli esterni alti e cercando diverse soluzioni offensive. Prevedo una partita bella, ma non sarà facile avere la meglio sui nerazzurri'. Certo, con un Di Natale in queste condizioni tutto sembra possibile per i friulani. 'Speriamo continui così, anche perché meglio non si può fare - conclude Sammarco -. Quando lo incontri da avversario fa davvero paura perché è fortissimo. Giocandoci insieme si rimane colpiti dalla completezza del suo repertorio.! In allenamento fa certe cose che per noi umani sono inimmagin! abili. E ' un onore giocare con lui'.

Foschi: Siamo un grande gruppo, ci rifaremo

fonte: www.torinofc.it

Ha oggi incontrato i media il direttore sportivo Rino Foschi: Come è bello leggere i complimenti, oggi è giusto che ci sia io a rispondere alle domande ed alle critiche dei cronisti e, quindi, dei tifosi. Sono il responsabile di tutto, comunque vada a fine stagione, perchè ho fatto io le scelte, dall'allenatore alla rosa, ed il Presidente ha davvero fatto due passi indietro. Sono qui anche perchè credo nel mio lavoro, ho vissuto momenti pegg! iori e so che ne usciremo.
Domenica abbiamo perso in casa contro una squadra inferiore alla nostra, sulla carta. Il nostro è un buonissimo organico, non è sopravvalutato, e dobbiamo ottenere risultati migliori. L'allenatore sta lavorando con qualche difficoltà per via degli infortuni, ed ha tutta la stima e l'appoggio della società. Inoltre sono ancora contento del lavoro svolto sul mercato, come lo erano tutti a fine agosto. E attenzione: questo gruppo è composto da ottimi professionisti, da ragazzi che sudano in campo e che non devono vergognarsi di nulla: possono perdere una partita perchè hanno giocato male, ed è giusto che vengano criticati. Ma non è che pensino ai soldi, come viene scritto, o che ci siano gruppi e gruppettini: è un momento, ne usciremo, e sono fiducioso perchè vedo grande compattezza, unione e professionalità. Spogliotoi di questo livello non sempre ne ho avuti, e per questo sono sicuro che risolveremo tutto.

Bari, è Rivas il dubbio

di Tiziana Garofalo

E' sempre Rivas (nella foto, fonte RealSports.it) il dubbio numero uno in casa Bari.Tutta la settimana il giocatore ha svolto lavoro differenziato ed un suo impiego nel sfida contro il Chievo appare assai improbabile. Le speranze verrebbe da dire che non sono appese nemmeno ad un piccolo lumino. Sono praticamente pari a zero. Peccato per la troupe di Ventura perdere un pezzo pregiato proprio nel suo momento migliore.

A Milano ha fatto impazzire i rossoneri con le sue acceleraz! ioni. Al suo posto potrebbe ritrovare spazio Allegretti ormai guarito dal problema al flessore della coscia destra. Le buone notizie arrivano da un altro in forma in casa Bari, Salvatore Masiello. Il giocatore si è allenato mercoledi e giovedi con il gruppo e salvo sorprese dell'ultimo minuto dovrebbe essere regolarmente in campo. Intanto oggi è il giorno di rientro dei nazionali eccezion fatta per Koman, che giocherà in Egitto la finale per il terzo posto dei mondiali under 20. I giocatori si ritroveranno tutti nel pomeriggio per la seduta di allenamento

Juventus: parla Ferrara

di Dario Rosella

Fonte: sportmediaset.it

Il tecnico bianconero Ciro Ferrara saluta con soddisfazione il rientro di Momo Sissoko: "E' un giocatore molto importante per noi ma non giocando da sei mesi ovviamente non può giocare tutti i 90'. Contro la Fiorentina dovremo ritrovare grinta e umiltà che poi sono le qualità che ci contraddistinguono". Sulle dichiarazioni polemiche di Lippi e Maradona i! l tecnico bianconero dice la sua: "Mi piace vedere un ct che difende i suoi giocatori".

"Si tratta di due persone a cui sono profondamente legato - ha detto Ferrara - e per questo motivo non voglio soffermarmi troppo su quello che hanno detto in settimana".
Poi replica a Cesare Prandelli che ha dichiarato di aver aumentato la qualità del suo centrocampo con la cessione di Felipe Melo e l'acquisto di Cristiano Zanetti: "Noi siamo soddisfatti di ciò che abbiamo fatto. Certo, le cifre investite sono diverse ma si trattava di due operazioni distinte. E' legittimo che la Fiorentina difenda le sue mosse di mercato. Noi con Melo abbiamo fatto una scelta di prospettiva". Molti bianconeri sono stati impegnati con le rispettive nazionali ma Ferrara non si lamenta più di tanto: " E' vero che ci creano qualche difficoltà, ma fa parte del gioco. Se alleni una gr! ande squadra, è una cosa da mettere in conto, vale per tutti, ! anche pe r i nostri prossimi avversari. I giocatori sono rientrati in buone condizioni fisiche e mentali".
Buffon si dovrà operare ma Ferrara pensa soprattutto al presente: "L'importante è che Gigi scenda in campo tranquillo e senza alcuna preoccupazione. Quando deciderà di fermarsi ci penseremo. Ma in questo momento della stagione la sua presenza è molto importante

IL SACRIFICIO DI DELLA ROCCA AVEVA FRUTTATO A GOTTI IL PAREGGIO DI VICENZA

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: forum triestina

Unione, avanti con il modulo a una puntaLo schieramento utilizzato da Somma ha dato ordine alla squadra. Ma il gioco e l'identità latitano

TRIESTE La Triestina è tornata alla vittoria ma nella ripresa si sono visti tutti i suoi difetti.E se sull'altro fronte ci fosse stata una squadra più smaliziata del Gallipoli sarebbero stati dolori. Il nuovo tecnico Somma non ha la bacchetta magica e sa di dover lavorare molto con gli uomini che la società gli ha! messo a disposizione e che lui non ha scelto.Ma l'imprinting del nuovo tecnico sabato si è visto. Somma ha cominciato la sua avventura riordinando le idee. I moduli come dicono gli esperti di calcio contano poco sul campo. Però servono a capire chi gioca e cosa deve fare.Somma ha annunciato sin dalla sua presentazione che per il momento era meglio partire con il 4-2-3-1. «Non perché sono un integralista - aveva detto il tecnico - ma perché mi sembra la soluzione migliore per i giocatori che ho a disposizione».Anche Gotti aveva questa idea ma in più occasioni l'ha stravolta per fare spazio davanti a Gigi Della Rocca. Forse sarà un caso ma con l'utilizzo delle due punte (e con quattro centrocampisti in linea) sono arrivate le sconfitte con Cesena e AlbinoLeffe, mentre a Vicenza con il solo Godeas davanti è arrivato un punticino. Il nuovo tecnico, per necessità e per scelta, ha fatto giocare dietro a Denis il vivace Volpe (che è risucito anche ad andare in rete) mentre sembra! orientato a utilizzare come dighe di contenimento i giocatori! con la maggiore prestanza atletica (Princivalli, Cossu, Hottor e Gorgone). La stessa coraggiosa sostituzione dell'infortunato Princivalli con il giovanissimo ghanese è un indicatore chiaro delle idee del mister. La Triestina è stata costruita quest'anno work in progress. Prima il divorzio con Maran, poi l'accordo raggiunto e poi svanito con Ventura, quindi l'arrivo di Gotti e infine quello di Somma hanno condizionato la costruzione dell'organico dalla cintola in su (gli uomini della difesa sono ok). Con un'Unione abbondante di esterni, senza centrocampisti in grado di dettare i tempi della manovra, e senza una punta veloce la scelta di puntare su una squadra coperta, capace di soffrire e di giocare di rimessa appare inevitabile.Sul piano psicologico poi sia durante gli allenamenti che in partita Somma finora ha dimostrato di essere un tecnico in grado di caricare i giocatori e al tempo stesso di sdrammatizzare le situazioni. Basteranno questi elementi a creare un gioco, un'identità! di squadra e la conseguente continuità di risultati? Sarà il campo a dirlo. Per il momento è stato fatto un primo passetto in avanti.

#011 Super Sintesi: 17a di Serie A

Tutti i goal della 17a di Serie A e della 19a di Serie B

#101 Highlights della 31^ giornata di B

Nel trentunesimo turno incide molto il fattore campo con ben sei vittorie interne e nessun successo esterno. Vittorie importanti in coda alla classifica per Ancona e Frosinone. In vetta invece si avvicina al Bari il Parma. In zona play-off si rivedono Albinoleffe e Grosseto ad un punto dalla Triestina. Ma vediamo nel dettaglio gli incontri:

Albinoleffe – Triestina 2-1: Vittoria importantissima per i bergamaschi che con questi tre punti si riavvicinano alla zona play-off, portandosi ad un punto proprio dai triestini. Per l'Albinoleffe si tratta della seconda vittoria consecutiva e del terzo successo casalingo consecutivo. La Triestina invece inciampa per la seconda volta consecutiva dopo due vittorie esterne di fila e vede diminuire il vantaggio sulle inseguitrici.

Ancona – Salernitana 3-1: Tre punti d'oro per l'Ancona che allontana la zona play-out battendo ! una diretta concorrente per la salvezza. Per i padroni di casa si tratta della seconda vittoria consecutiva in casa. La Salernitana invece conferma il suo momento negativo in trasferta, dove nelle ultime quattro gare ha raccolto un solo punto. I campani inoltre vedono avvicinarsi il terzultimo posto.

Brescia – Modena 1-1: Il pareggio accontenta sicuramente il Modena che guadagna un punto importante per la sua classifica. Il Brescia invece non riesce a dare continuità agli ultimi due successi esterni consecutivi raccogliendo nelle ultime due gare interne solo un punto. La vittoria interna manca esattamente da un mese, 17 Febbraio 2008 3-0 contro l'Ancona.

Cittadella – Ascoli 0-0: Pareggio anche qui più utile agli ospiti che ai padroni di casa. Il Cittadella non riesce a sfruttare i contemporanei ko di Mantova e Salernitana per allungare il distacco dalla zona play-out. I padovan! i hanno raccolto tre pareggi ed una sconfitta nelle ultime qua! ttro gar e. L'Ascoli guadagna un punto esterno che di certo non fa male alla propria classifica.

Frosinone – Avellino 2-0: Torna alla vittoria casalinga il Frosinone dopo cinque gare, l'ultimo successo risaliva al 17 Gennaio 2009, 2-0 contro il Grosseto. Per i ciociari vittoria importante che permette di allontanare di tre punti la zona play-off. L'Avellino invece si ritrova ultimo in classifica dopo lo sconto della penalizzazione al Treviso. I campani sono alla quinta sconfitta esterna consecutiva.

Grosseto – Bari 1-1: Partita combattuta tra le due squadre. Partita ricca anche di proteste per un incontro molto importante per entrambe le società. I toscani acciuffano nel finale il pari evitando la quarta sconfitta interna della stagione e restano nella parte alta della classifica. Il Bari recrimina per le occasioni sciupate per chiudere l'incontro e si vede avvicinato in classifica dopo ! la sognata fuga. Per i pugliesi si tratta del quattordicesimo risultato utile consecutivo e del primo pari in trasferta dopo due vittorie esterne di fila.

Parma – Mantova 1-0: Vince, seppure tra le polemiche dei mantovani, il Parma di Guidolin. Il gol dei gialloblù viene a lungo contestato, ma l'arbitro dopo un consulto con l'assistente di linea convalida la rete. Il Parma così si avvicina al Bari ed ottiene il settimo risultato utile consecutivo. In casa i parmigiani restano imbattuti ed hanno ottenuto 13 punti nelle ultime cinque partite. Sconfitta amara per il Mantova che resta in zona play-out. I virgiliani nelle ultime quattro trasferte hanno ottenuto solo un punto.

Piacenza – Treviso 2-0: Il Piacenza con questa vittoria guadagna due posizioni in classifica e centra la sua seconda vittoria consecutiva tra le mura amiche, dove nelle ultime quattro gare hanno ottenuto 9 punt! i. Il Treviso invece abbandona l'ultimo posto della classifica! , grazie allo sconto della penalizzazione ma il suo cammino fuori casa resta pessimo. In trasferta infatti in questa stagione non hanno ancora vinto. Il cammino verso la salvezza resta decisamente difficile.

Pisa – Empoli 2-0: I pisani si aggiudicano il derby toscano. Partita viva fino al raddoppio dei padroni di casa. Con questa vittoria i nerazzurri centrano il terzo successo di fila e vedono ancora più vicina la zona play-off ora distante solo 6 punti. Per loro quinto risultato utile consecutivo in casa dove hanno ottenuto 11 punti in cinque gare. Per l'Empoli invece seconda sconfitta di fila. In trasferta gli empolesi non vincono da otto partite ed hanno ottenuto solo 2 punti.

Rimini – Livorno 1-1: Si rammarica il Rimini raggiunto solo nel finale dal gol di Tavano. Il Rimini resta a metà classifica e pareggio per la seconda volta consecutiva in casa. Il Livorno si vede scavalcato in! classifica dal Parma ed ora è al terzo posto. Per i toscani quarto pareggio consecutivo, non vincono dal 21 Febbraio 2009 2-3 contro il Grosseto in trasferta.

Sassuolo – Vicenza 0-0: Pareggio anche questo che accontenta di più gli ospiti. Il Sassuolo sciupa l'occasione di avvicinarsi al Livorno. Padroni di casa che non vincono da tre gare, per loro solo un punto nelle ultime due gare interne. Il Vicenza invece guadagna un punto prezioso per il centro classifica. Nelle ultime due trasferte aveva perso. Ai veneti la vittoria esterna manca da sette trasferte, l'ultima risale al 6 Dicembre 2008, 0-1 contro il Rimini.

Classifica dopo 31 giornate: Bari 57, Parma 55, Livorno 53, Sassuolo e Brescia 50, Triestina 48, Albinoleffe 47, Grosseto 45, Empoli 44, Pisa 42, Rimini e Piacenza 40, Vicenza ed Ascoli (-2) 39, Ancona 38, Frosinone 37, Cittadella 35, Mantova 34, Salernitana 33, Moden! a 29, Treviso (-1) 27, Avellino (-2) 25.

Prossimo turno, 32^g. 21-23/3/2009 ore 16.00: Ascoli-Albinoleffe, Avellino-Pisa, Bari-Cittadella, Empoli-Sassuolo, Livorno-Ancona, Mantova-Rimini, Modena-Vicenza, Piacenza-Frosinone, Triestina-Parma, Salernitana-Brescia (23/3 ore 21.00), Treviso-Grosseto (23/3 ore 19.00).

Amarcord 1995-96 (Parte 2)

Il campionato verrà vinto per l'ultima volta dal Milan di Capello.
E questa è la giornata decisiva.
Addentriamoci nei meandri della 32a giornata del campionato 95-96

Giornata 32

in studio Alfredo Provenzali
(Campi principali)
da Milano per Milan - Fiorentina Riccardo Cucchi
da Roma per Roma - Juventus Bruno Gentili
da Bari per Bari - Udinese Emanuele Dotto
da Torino per Torino - Cremonese Federico Calcagno

La Rai:"Rilanceremo la radiofonia"

Massimo De Luca (prodotto di "tutto il calcio") lascia il timone di Rai Sport.

E' Eugenio De Paoli il nuovo direttore di Rai Sport. Lo ha stabilito all'unanimità il Consiglio di amministrazione di viale Mazzini su proposta del direttore generale Mauro Masi. De Paoli, nato a Tripoli in Libia il 24 settembre 1953 e laureato in giurisprudenza, prende il posto di Massimo De Luca che ricopriva la carica di direttore dal gennaio 2007. "Il Consiglio di Amministrazione su proposta del Dg Mauro Masi - si legge in una nota di Viale Mazzini - ha approvato all'unanimità l'intendimento di nomina di Eugenio De Paoli a direttore della testata Rai Sport e Rai Sport Più e le linee guida del progetto di rilancio della radiofonia. Il CdA e il Dg hanno voluto esprimere un grande apprezzamento per la professionalità e l'impegno profusi da Massimo De Luca nella guida della Direzione di Rai Sport e Rai Sport Più e auspic! ano che il rapporto del giornalista con l'Azienda possa continuare con la conduzione di rubriche sportive". "Le linee guida della radiofonia, che saranno illustrate dal Dg alle rappresentanze sindacali - si legge ancora - serviranno per la definizione di un progetto complessivo di rilancio del settore radiofonico per renderlo più adeguato al mutato scenario competitivo".

De Paoli viene assunto in Rai nel 1991, nella redazione sportiva del Gr1 a quel tempo diretta da Livio Zanetti. Dal 1992 lavora per la Testata Giornalistica Sportiva, dove nel 1995 viene nominato capo redattore della redazione Sport vari. Negli ultimi anni ha curato in prima persona alcuni dei più importanti eventi sportivi Rai, come i Mondiali di Atletica di Atene (1997) e Siviglia (1999), i Mondiali di nuoto a Perth (1997), i campionati del Mondo di calcio di Francia '98 e gli Europei di calcio del 2000. Nel 1997 ha ideato la trasmissione di Formula Uno Pole Position. Il ! progetto legato alle Olimpiadi di Sidney 2000 (20 ore di trasm! issione al giorno tra dirette e rubriche) gli è valso l'attribuzione del premio Beppe Viola per la televisione.

Convocazioni n° 7

Convocazioni dal 14 Settembre al 20 Settembre 2009

Champions League - Fase a gironi - 1a giornata
Martedì 15 Settembre
Olympique Marsiglia - Milan Antonello Orlando
Juventus - Bordeaux Francesco Repice
Mercoledì 16 Settembre
Lione - Fiorentina Giuseppe Bisantis
Inter - Barcellona Riccardo Cucchi

Europa - Fase a gironi - 1a giornata
Giovedì 17 Settembre
Genoa - Slavia Praga Emanuele Dotto
Basilea - Roma To! nino Raffa
Lazio - Salisburgo Giovanni Scaramuzzino e Massimo Barchiesi

Highlights 10^ giornata Prima Divisione Lega Pro

Decima giornata di campionato in Prima Divisione, vediamo la situazione nei due gironi. Nel girone A, resta imbattuto il Novara che vince in casa contro il Perugia per 2-1 e si porta in vetta alla classifica. Perde invece la capolista Cremonese nel posticipo del lunedì. Primo pareggio stagionale per l'Arezzo a Como. Parità anche fra Pro Patria e Varese (1-1). Ben 5 i pareggi, solo 3 le vittorie in casa, 1 sola la vittoria in trasferta, quella del Benevento contro il Pergocrema. Nel girone B, spettacolo tra Reggiana e Foggia con ben 7 reti. Vittoria esterna del Pescara a Ferrara contro la Spal. Il P! ortogruaro pareggia in casa contro la Cavese per 0-0. Nel posticipo del lunedì il Verone ne fa cinque al Pescina e si porta al comando della classifica insieme al Pescara. Tre sole le vittorie in casa, quattro i pareggi, due le vittorie fuoricasa. Ecco il quadro della giornata:

Prima Divisione, girone A
Alessandria-Viareggio 0-0, Como-Arezzo 0-0, Figline-Lecco 2-2, Foligno-Sorrento 1-0, Monza-Cremonese 3-0 (26/10), Novara-Perugia 2-1, Paganese-Lumezzane 2-2, Pergocrema-Benevento 1-2, Pro Patria-Varese 1-1.
Classifica dopo la 10^ giornata: Novara 24; Cremonese 22; Arezzo 19; Varese 18; Perugia (-1) 17; Lumezzane 15; Monza, Lecco, Foligno e Benevento 14; Pergocrema e Alessandria 12; 11; Figline (-1) e Viareggio 10; Pro Patria 9; Sorrento e Como 8; Paganese 5. (Figline e Perugia -1 punto in classifica)
Prossimo turno, 11^ giornata 1/11/09 ore! 14.30:< /span> Arezzo-Pergocrema, Benevento-Paganese, Cremonese-Pro Patria, Foligno-Como, Lecco-Monza, Lumezzane-Perugia, Sorrento-Figline, Varese-Alessandria, Viareggio-Novara.

Prima Divisione, girone B
Cosenza-Real Marcianise 1-1, Portogruaro S.-Cavese 0-0, Ravenna-Giulianova 2-0, Reggiana-Foggia 3-4, Spal-Pescara 0-1, Taranto-Potenza 2-2, Ternana-Rimini 3-0, Verona-Pescina V.G. 5-1 (26/10), Virtus Lanciano-Andria Bat 2-2.
Classifica dopo la 10^ giornata: Verona e Pescara 22; Portogruaro S. 20; Ternana 18; Ravenna 15; Cosenza e Taranto 14; Rimini 13; Pescina V.G., Reggiana, Cavese e Virtus Lanciano 12; Giulianova 11; Spal e Foggia (-1) 9; Real Marcianise e Andria Bat 8; Potenza 6. (Foggia -1 punto in classifica)
Prossimo turno, 11^ giornata 1/11/09 ore 14.30: Andria Bat-Reggiana, C! avese-Cosenza, Giulianova-Verona, Pescara-Taranto, Pescina V.G.-Spal, Portogruaro S.-Ternana, Potenza-Foggia, Real Marcianise-Virtus Lanciano, Rimini-Ravenna.

La rubrica "Highlights" dedicata alla Prima Divisione tornerà come sempre martedì prossimo. Buon calcio a tutti……

SI SALVI CHI PUO'!

Magari a molti fregherà nulla, ma il verdetto che resta da sancire in questa quattordicesima lunghissima e appassionante annata fantacalcistica ha un valore fondamentale....
Chi tra l'I Love Giorgia del buon Campopiano jr e la Mani Pulite del neodottore Passafiume sarà costretta ad alzare bandiera bianca e fare compagnia al già retrocesso Celestino?
Agli ultimi 90 minuti l'ardua sentenza, con tutto il carico di sfottò che ne conseguirà per il malcapitato che sarà costretto anche a reinventarsi il nome della squadra per il prossimo Fantacampionato.
La penultima giornata ci ha regalato molte emozioni...se il fantascudetto di mister Pancrazio era già bello che in cassaforte, restava aperta la disputa per il podio, un affare di famiglia, visto che Raf batte proprio Piero e scavalca Gio' in seconda posizione.
Ufficialmente salvi, invece, e liberi di programmare il futuro la Dinamo Tofa di Felicione la Tofa e la Real Marcina di TommyTrap.
Verdetti anche in Coppa, dove spiccano le imprese dei ! fratelli Campopiano, q! ualifica ti in semifinale e proiettati verso quella che potrebbe essere una finalissima utile a riscattare un'annata difficile e sfortunata...
P.S. A tutti i lettori del Blog, semplicemente grazie...
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