Stoner proves unstoppable at Donington Park

Casey Stoner proved uncatchable for his MotoGP rivals as he cruised to a second Donington Park victory in as many years. The 2007 World Champion was the fastest off the line from pole position, taking the kind of runaway win typical of his title winning year at the bwin.com British Grand Prix.

With his second triumph of the season, Stoner moved his way up to third in the overall classification. The two riders ahead of him in the standings, Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, were involved in an entertaining battle some seven seconds back, trading places repeatedly at the midway point of the race. Riding in his 200th Grand Prix, Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi eventually won out, continuing a seven race run of podium finishes in 2008.

Repsol Honda´s Pedrosa also has seven rostrum appearances to his name this year, and came in third at the scene of his 2006 victory. His consistency keeps up the pressure on series leader Rossi, who he trails by just eleven points.

Colin Edwards was the highest placing satellite rider, finishing fourth onboard the Tech 3 Yamaha M1. Whilst his was a positive result, teammate and home rider James Toseland had a miserable time of things in the race, crashing on the first corner and finishing last after picking the bike back up.

Last year´s 250cc racewinner, Andrea Dovizioso had another creditable showing on his first MotoGP appearance at Donington Park. The JiR Team Scot rookie was fearless even when surrounded by experienced campaigners, concluding the race in fifth ahead of fellow debutant and long-time rival Jorge Lorenzo.

Nicky Hayden, Chris Vermeulen, Shinya Nakano and Anthony West completed the top ten, whilst Rizla Suzuki´s stand-in rider Ben Spies earned his first MotoGP points on his maiden appearance. The American will now wait to find out if his services are required for the upcoming A-Style TT Assen, or if Loris Capirossi –injured but watching on in Donington- will be fit for a return to action in the Netherlands.

The only rider unable to finish the race was John Hopkins, the Kawasaki rider retiring with a mechanical problem.

source : www.motogp.com

Schweinsteiger eyes Prem move

Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger claims he could leave Bayern Munich this summer to move to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old winger was sent off in Germany's 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the group stages of Euro 2008, but returned from suspension to net the opening goal in the 3-2 win over Portugal as the pre-tournament favourites progressed to the last four.

Schweinsteiger is approaching the final year of his contract at Bundesliga champions Bayern, and although new boss Jurgen Klinsmann is keen to keep him in Bavaria, a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.

Appeal

"I may stay with Bayern and the coach has promised to be supportive of whatever decision I make," Schweinsteger told the Sunday Mail.

"England does have a good appeal as it is one of the world's best leagues.

"I've always wanted to play there and we'll see if it happens this year."

source : www.skysports.com

Massa romps to French win

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has won the French Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Toyota's Jarno Trulli.

McLaren Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen finished fourth ahead of BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica and Red Bull's Mark Webber.

Renault's Nelson Piquet Jr. finished seventh ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Meanwhile, after starting 13th on the grid, Lewis Hamilton finished in 10th place, the McLaren driver's attempt to come through the field hampered by a drive through penalty.

However, Hamilton was not the only driver whose afternoon at Magny-Cours was compromised: although Massa took the chequered flag some 18 seconds ahead of Raikkonen, the defending World Champion had led comfortably until suffering a fractured exhaust pipe midway through the race.

Nevertheless, he still finished second and claimed eight valuable Championship points - the 18-second gap he in turn had over Trulli demonstrating Ferrari's advantage over their rivals.

That much was evident from the lights, with polesitter Raikkonen leading Massa off the line, Trulli assuming third place and Kubica - for a few corners at least - getting ahead of Alonso.

Having both straightlined the quick Imola chicane to pass Sebasatian Vettel's Toro Rosso and also clipped the back of team-mate Kovalainen, Hamilton was up to 10th at the end of lap one.

He then passed the heavily-fuelled sister McLaren into the Adelaide Hairpin on lap five with lap seven seeing Hamilton duelling with former GP2 adversary Piquet over eighth place.

source : www.skysports.com

Lakers win Game 5 to send series back to Boston

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Pack up the championship trophy and book a flight back to Boston, the NBA finals aren't over yet. The Los Angeles Lakers are headed East to try a historic comeback of their own.

Kobe Bryant scored 25 points, including a decisive dunk in the final minute - and Lamar Odom added 20 as the Lakers, playing with pride on their star-studded stage, prevented the Celtics from winning a 17th title with a 103-98 win in Game 5 on Sunday night to close to 3-2 in this restored rivalry.

"We didn't want to see any champagne popping," Odom said. "It wasn't easy. I wouldn't expect it to be."

No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win a title. The first 28 failed, and now the Lakers, who blew a 24-point lead and lost Game 4 and nearly squandered a 19-point lead in Game 5, have a chance to do something extraordinary.

They'll have to win on the Celtics' parquet floor Tuesday night to force a winner-take-all Game 7, where anything is possible.

Especially with Bryant, the game's best player, on hand.

"We've won on the road before," Bryant said. "We've played in tough environments before."

But the league's MVP and uberforce, who spent much of last summer grumbling to Lakers management for help to get him a fourth championship ring, didn't have to fly a solo mission to extend L.A.'s season for at least another game.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Odom had 11 rebounds and four blocks and Derek Fisher added 15 points.

"We were aggressive. We played hard," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Not smart all the time, but we played hard."

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points, Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 16 points. But Boston's Big Three couldn't close their first chance at winning it all, and now will get two cracks at home to finish the job.

"Guys are down and upset because they thought they could have, they thought they should have," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We played all year to have home court."

After scoring 15 points in the first quarter, Bryant went cold from the floor and finished just 8-of-21. But he made a big steal, poking the ball away from Paul Pierce and streaking down to deliver a two-handed dunk with 37.4 seconds left.

"I just was kind of reading the play and I was able to get my hands on the ball and get out and get a dunk," Bryant said.

The Celtics called a timeout, Jack Nicholson jumped to his feet and the scoreboard in Staples Center flashed: Not In Our House!

When the final horn sounded, purple and gold streamers fell from the ceiling and the public address announcer said, "Game 6 will be Tuesday night in Boston. This is not over yet."

On Saturday, Bryant had said "this is far from over," and he could be right.

Accused of being selfish and too tough on his not-as-talented teammates, Bryant can bow to the other Lakers for sending the series back across country.

Gasol, the 7-foot Spanish center criticized for being pillowy soft, didn't back down underneath and was able to get Garnett into foul trouble.

But just as they did in Game 4, when they staged the biggest comeback in finals history, the Celtics pushed the Lakers to the brink of summer with another rally. This one fell a little short, but the outcome was still in doubt when Pierce, who grew up hating Boston like every other kid from L.A., made two free throws with 1:14 remaining to get the Celtics to 97-95.

Fisher then missed a jumper and the Celtics appeared to be in business when Pierce fought off two Lakers for a rebound. But as he dribbled toward the basket, Bryant reached around and knocked the ball away to Odom, who then fed Bryant for his slam.

Still, the Celtics wouldn't go away.

After Bryant missed one of two free throws with 16 seconds left, Eddie House nailed a 3-pointer to make it 101-98 with 14 seconds left. House then nearly stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but Bryant, sprawled out on the floor, got the ball to Fisher, who drew a desperation foul.

Fisher then made two free throws and stole Boston's last pass as Lakers fans, stunned to silence a few nights ago, left the building dreaming of seeing another improbable comeback.

This is the 11th meeting - and first since 1987 - between the league's two most stories franchises, and it could be headed for a crescendo befitting the matchups between Bird and Magic, McHale and Abdul-Jabbar, and Russell and West.

Before the game, Lakers coach Jackson said the only way for his team to approach a close-out game was to keep playing.

"A lot of things can happen," he said. "We're young enough and dumb enough to be able to do this."

With Bryant, they have the smarts and skills to get it done.

He made four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes and his free throw gave the Lakers a 25-15 lead. The Celtics were forced to extend their defense, and Bryant made them pay when he faked a long-range shot and fired a pass underneath to Vladimir Radmanovic to make it 29-15.

Odom, a model of inconsistency in the series, drove the lane for a hoop to put the Lakers ahead by 16, and Gasol's bucket in the final second made the overhead scoreboard read: Lakers 39, Celtics 22.

Most teams might panic. Not the Celtics. They were in a bigger hole - 21 points - after the first quarter in Game 4 when they staged their epic rally.

And, sure enough, back Boston came.

When Sasha Vujacic scored, the Lakers' lead bulged to 19 and the oh-so-trendy L.A. faithful were carrying on like a rowdy East coast crowd. That's when the Celtics began chipping away as Pierce scored six points and Allen, Tony not Ray, scored two quick baskets.

The Celtics' rally seemed short-lived when Garnett picked up his third personal, but with the Lakers unable to get anything to drop, Pierce made a layup and 3 to make it 43-39 before Odom finally ended Los Angeles nearly six-minute scoring drought.

The Lakers briefly regrouped but P.J. Brown scored on a putback and Pierce hit another 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left as the Celtics closed to 55-52 at half and bounded toward their locker just 24 minutes from a title.

source : http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8249932/Lakers-win-Game-5-to-send-series-back-to-Boston

UNITED RUBBISH FERGIE QUIT TALK

Manchester United have rubbished reports that Sir Alex Ferguson could bring forward his retirement if Cristiano Ronaldo is sold against his wishes.

The Daily Express reported on Monday that Ferguson had told close friends he would walk away should the Glazer family sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid behind his back, but United have dismissed the story and reiterated their intention to hold on to the Portugal winger.

"It is absolute nonsense," said a spokesman.

"It is simply tiresome. We are not selling Cristiano Ronaldo."

source : http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/06/16/manual_160717.html

No case for the defence: Capello must ditch the Terry-Ferdinand option and turn to Liverpool's Gerrard as England captain

A series of meaningless friendlies under his belt, it's time for Fabio Capello to get serious as he faces the biggest decision of his tenure so far - who will lead his team?

In the aftermath of England's easy but underwhelming win over Trinidad and Tobago, Capello revealed he had whittled down his prospective candidates to two. Although he has used four different captains in his first four games - David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and John Terry - press reports seem to suggest that the "two" mentioned by Capello are Ferdinand and Terry.
Oh, when will England be blessed with a manager who learns from previous mistakes? Terry's tenure as England captain showed that England do not need a defender as captain.

Terry, an influential and inspirational captain at Chelsea, could not exert his influence as England skipper despite working in tandem with Ferdinand in what should be the most formidable defensive line in Europe. I would envisage Ferdinand having a similar impact upon the team as Terry did during his time as captain under Steve McLaren.

England's tame surrender in the Euro 2008 qualifiers was a signal that the team require a leader who can drag them back into games from the brink of oblivion - which leaves Steven Gerrard as the only genuine option.

The moment he had the extra burden of responsibility thrust upon him when made Liverpool captain, Gerrard embraced it, and his game improved tenfold.

Admittedly his form for England has had its highs and lows. However, he has been the victim of his own versatility and forced to repeatedly play out of position. But there is no denying his class.

On countless occasions he has pulled results out of nowhere for Liverpool at the highest level. Champions League games against Olympiakos and AC Milan, and the FA Cup "Gerrard Final" spring to mind.

It is this kind of determination and inspiration that England need to ensure safe passage to the World Cup 2010, and Capello needs to recognise Gerrard's leadership qualities quickly.

SOURCE : http://www.sportingo.com/football/a9038_no-case-defence-capello-must-ditch-terryferdinand-option-turn-liverpools-gerrard-as-england-captain
BY Adam Uren

Hamilton sets the pace

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in Friday's practice sessions for the Canadian Grand Prix after Ferrari's Felipe Massa had earlier topped the timesheets.

Hamilton, who won his maiden grand prix in Montreal last year, posted a quickest lap of one minute 15.752 seconds during the second 90-minute long session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Fresh from a victory in Monaco two week ago which propelled him into the lead of the World Championship, Hamilton had completed only eight laps during Friday morning's first practice session.

He was then sixth fastest in his McLaren Mercedes as Massa went quickest with a lap timed at 1:17.553s around the 2.71-mile track.

Hamilton started the afternoon session moderately, and was lying fifth fastest before upping his pace.

A time of 1:15.766s knocked World Champion Kimi Raikkonen off the top spot before the McLaren man went quicker still on his 42nd and last lap.

Raikkonen, three points behind Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship heading into Sunday's race, was then supplanted by BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, the Monaco runner-up, who continued his good form with a fastest lap of 1:16.023s.

The Pole had also been second quickest behind Massa in the morning's session on a track that had dried out following overnight rain.

Raikonnen had been last out of the pits and vied with team-mate Massa for much of the afternoon's session, with the Finn clocking a fastest 1:16.093s for what would be the third fastest time.

Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen was fourth fastest with a 1:16.331s effort, with Massa next (1:16.413s) despite coming to a stop out on the track with 20 minutes remaining.

Nick Heidfeld rounded off the top six for BMW Sauber with a time of 1:16.589s.

But the second session was a bad one for Renault, with Nelson Piquet Jr. grinding to a halt as he entered the pit lane, while team-mate Fernando Alonso spun off the track at Turn One and proved unable to get going again.

The pair ended the afternoon in 17th and 20th positions respectively.

Timo Glock was another early finisher, brushing one of the walls and damaging the right wheels on his Toyota, forcing him to abandon the car at Turn Six.

Massa was the next to stop, his premature finish affecting the whole field as marshals struggled to steer his Ferrari through a gap in the safety barriers.

When the session resumed, Hamilton proceeded to turn in his quickest laps ahead of Saturday's final practice and qualifying sessions for Sunday's race.

source : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_3659132,00.html

Federer out to spoil Nadal party

Roger Federer is confident he can end Rafael Nadal's 27 match unbeaten run at Roland Garros and prevent him from joining Bjorn Borg in the history books with a fourth successive French Open title

The stakes are high too for the 26-year-old Swiss ace as goes in search of the only major title that still eludes him.

Victory over the Spaniard on Sunday will gain Federer membership to an elite club of five, who have won all four Grand Slam titles and within one of Pete Sampras' record 14 career titles.

On the evidence though, things do not look good for Federer, who lost to Nadal in the last three French Open finals and has beaten him only once in nine meetings on clay.

So far in Paris he has dropped first sets in earlier rounds against Albert Montanes and Fernando Gonzalez and was taken to four sets by unseeded Frenchman Gael Monfils in the semi-final.

Nadal on the other hand, has not dropped a set in two years at Roland Garros and brushed aside Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic with almost contemptuous ease in the other semi.

But Federer believes that this year he can turn the tables on the 22-year-old Mallorcan and is eager to prove the doubters wrong.

"I like this challenge, playing against him on clay, and I really am in a position to win," he said.

"I'm the only player who managed to win against him on clay, and I hope I'm going to do that again on Sunday."

"Rafa has been sublime this tournament. He hasn't had any problems whatsoever.

"But I believe very strongly that this is my year. I did the hard work so far, but I think the toughest test is yet to come."

"I feel I have the right tactics, I have the right game, and I have the fitness to beat him.

"You know, I wanted to be in this position - that is, with Rafa across the net. I think it's the ultimate test on clay.

"It's so much better to win the French Open by beating him. It looks good for Sunday, for me anyway. This is what it's all about; I've been hoping for this to happen.

"I'm where I want to be and I'm playing well, so it's a big, big thrill to play Rafa again in the final here."

Nadal described his 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 semi-final win against Djokovic as 'almost perfect' but remained restrained when asked about his chances of entering the history books on Sunday.

"It's always special to play against Federer," he said. "It's a different atmosphere and the tactics are different too..

"I know for him I have to play my best level. He is the worst opponent you can have to fight against, because he's been my opponent three times in a row.

"He's always the most difficult opponent to defeat."

source : http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12110_3660817,00.html
by simon dilger

RAIKKONEN IN RETIREMENT HINT

World champion Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he is considering retiring from Formula One when his current contract with Ferrari expires at the end of 2009.

Speculation in the paddock has been mounting as to who will drive for Ferrari in 2010 and the Finn did nothing to quash it when he was asked about his plans ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

"I still have a contract until the end of next year," said Raikkonen at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

"I haven't made any decision as to whether I will keep going or not. That's the last contract I have and we will wait and see during this year and next year what happens.

"I haven't made my mind up and we will see.

Raikkonen, 28, said that for him, the enjoyment he got from the sport had to outweigh the negatives he perceived in Formula One.

"I wouldn't stop if I thought I would miss it," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen after next year.

"I think I'm going to race as long as I enjoy it. I think it's the right thing for me and when the day comes when it's no longer fun. Then, for sure, I stop.

"It can be the end of next year, it can be in four years' time. It's too early to say.

"But it's purely if I like it or not. That's the reason I keep going or not. There are many reasons why you like Formula One or not.

"Many people only like the driving and the rest can be something that you don't enjoy. When there are more things that you don't like, then it's time to stop."

Raikkonen said he was "kind of" in talks with Ferrari about a new contract extension but when asked whether he would consider racing for another F1 team, he replied: "Probably not."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Ballack buoyed by form

Michael Ballack is confident he will be taking his end-of-season form with Chelsea into the European Championship.

The Germany international was an influential figure as Chelsea took the Premier League title race to the final day and reached the UEFA Champions League final, only to lose out to Manchester United in both competitions.

Ballack has also been tipped to shine at Euro 2008 and the experienced midfielder feels he has benefited from his time in English football.

"The Premier League has certainly improved me as a footballer and I have received a lot of praise in the last few weeks," said Ballack.

"I think after my injury, I found some good form and I'm happy to be playing in such a strong league which demands so much from you and puts you under

pressure every weekend.

"Great football is played there and I think everybody takes that with them into the national team."

Concerned

Meanwhile, Ballack has criticised a Polish newspaper for producing a picture of Poland coach Leo Beenhakker holding the severed heads of the former Bayern Munich star and Germany boss Joachim Low.

"We have seen the pictures re-printed in the German dailies, it doesn't really make us jump for joy," added Ballack.

"There are some people who are cynical enough to just accept this is an everyday occurence and there is nothing you can do about it.

"But I, for one, am a little bit more concerned about it, this is just a football match and this sort of thing should not be printed.

"It doesn't become football as a sport."

Source: www.sportinglife.com

PREM TRIO ON MILAN WISH-LIST

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the Rossoneri's top summer transfer targets - along with Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Chelsea star Didier Drogba.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are looking to reinforce their forward line and the club are hoping to lure the Togo international to the San Siro.

But Drogba, Berbatov, Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o and Stuttgart's Mario Gomez are also on Milan's wish list.

"The names are those that have been reported by the press," said Galliani.

"That is Eto'o, Drogba, Adebayor, Gomez and Berbatov.

"Any of them would be good."

Galliani did admit that negotiations for 24-year-old Adebayor would not be easy with the player having signed a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium only last year.

"He is under contract," admitted Galliani.

Meanwhile, Adebayor has played down speculation linking him with a move to the Italian giants.

Arsenal's leading marksman with 30 goals last season has consistently pledged his loyalty to the Gunners and it is understood that stance remains unwavered.

"I am very happy here. Reports which suggest I have threatened to quit are rubbish," he said.

"I love the club and the fans.

"We have a great set of players here with a fantastic team spirit.

"We have had a good season, but next year we want to go one better by winning a trophy."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Van Persie to miss Dutch opener

Marco van Basten expects Holland's opening Euro 2008 game with Italy to come too soon for Robin van Persie.

Arsenal attacker Van Persie has been battling to recover from a thigh injury in time for Monday's fixture with the world champions.

Van Persie has stepped up his training regime in recent days and is now working alongside his team-mates.

But Dutch coach Van Basten admits he is not likely to gamble on the player's fitness for his side's first match in Group C.

Improvement to come

"Robin is training normally with the squad," said Van Basten.

"His condition is improving from day to day, but it is logical that there is still some improvement to come.

"The Italy match will be too early for him."

Following the game with Italy, Holland meet France on 13th June before facing Romania four days later.

Source : http://euro2008.sportinglife.com/football/euro2008/story/0,23063,11966_3657059,00.html

Martin O’Neill has reportedly admitted defeat after weeks spent trying to fend off Liverpool in their attempts to sign his captain Gareth Barry.
Despite seeing his club come sixth in the league last season and qualify for the Intertoto Cup, it is understood that Barry has become increasingly determined to perform at Champions League level, especially after playing, and captaining, England in Trinidad. Performing at the highest plateau in Europe is a pre-requisite, he believes, for carving out a long-term international role.
As such, the chances of Barry remaining at Villa Park are looking progressively slim. O’Neill recently played down Villa’s immediate chances of reaching Champions League – a thinly veiled acceptance that the club and Barry’s most pressing ambitions no longer dovetail. Villa will demand more than the £10 million players-plus-cash deal that Rafael Benitez offered last month, with their asking price said to be in the region of £14 million.Liverpool, for their part, have begun clearing the decks ahead of Barry’s arrival. Xavi Alonso has been given permission to move to Juventus, although negotiations have been beset by Liverpool’s failure to find common ground with the Italian club over their method of payment. The Turin club are demanding that they be allowed to pay the £16 million fee in instalments over three years.

However, the Liverpool board desperately need to free up accessible cash to fund the Barry move. Benitez is currently trying to offload Peter Crouch to Portsmouth for £10 million, although that deal is also proving harder to bring to conclusion than first thought. Benitez has instead proposed sending Crouch to Villa, a suggestion given short shrift by the 6ft 7in striker.

Finally, Liverpool are expected to firm up their deal with Italian defender Andrea Dossena today ahead of his wedding at the weekend. The Udinese player will arrive on Merseyside for the tune of £7 million.

Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/06/ufnbarry106.xml
by Sandy Macaskill

US Open: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson duel

The United States Golf Association have often been accused of being staid, unimaginative, a group of old men in long-sleeved white shirts who still exist in the days of wooden shafts and knickers. That misconception will end once and for all during next week's US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

Lewine Mair: Montgomerie aims for rebirth

US Open: Tee-off times

Mike Davis, the USGA senior director of rules and competition, has announced that the players first and second in the world rankings, Tiger and Phil - who needs last names? - will be grouped along with Adam Scott, the world No 3, in rounds one and two.

"Why not put them in the same wave?" Davis said. "The heck with what TV wants. Let's do what we want for the championship."

What Tiger Woods wanted after missing six weeks of competitive golf after surgery on his left knee on April 15 was to get in a round of golf. And Wednesday he did that on Torrey's South Course, playing 17 holes riding in a buggy. He skipped the last hole when he saw people with cameras waiting around the 18th green.

Woods and Mickelson, who grew up not far from the course, have spectacular records at Torrey, an upgraded municipal layout where the Buick Invitational is played each January.

Tiger, 32, has won the Buick six times in all, the last four in a row. That includes this year's runaway victory by eight shots. It is a meaningful note that after previous surgery on the same left knee in December 2002, Tiger's return to the tour was at the 2003 Buick, which he won.

Mickelson, 37, has three wins in the Buick, in 1993, 2000 and 2001. This year he finished sixth.

Torrey Pines, named after the small tree native to the area, is one of the busiest municipal courses in America, with some 170,000 rounds on the two courses annually. But it has been closed since May 21, so Woods and his instructor, Hank Haney, were virtually alone.

"We were the only ones out there," Haney said. "The course is in phenomenal condition."

And Woods' condition? "Everything held up good. Obviously, he didn't walk. But he hit the ball really good."

The USGA's Davis said of the groupings: "This year we got to thinking, 'Isn't it kind of crummy we've never had the two guys ranked one and two in the world in the same wave?' Weather can affect outcomes in the US Open. It could be windy in the morning or firm in the afternoon."

If Davis was not worried about TV, maybe it is because he knows American television already has the tournament in a vice grip. Attempting to increase the audience on a June weekend when people are out of their homes during the afternoon, NBC decided to have play on Saturday and Sunday end at 7pm local time, which is 10pm in eastern cities and 3am in the UK.

The last time the US Open ran even close to that late was in 2002, when, because of a rain delay and NBC's insistence on late starting times, play at Bethpage on the east coast did not finish until 8.40pm (1.40am in the UK).

There will be no rain in southern California in June, but there could be fog. Torrey Pines is on a bluff above the Pacific, although the water is warmer than that of Pebble Beach 400 miles north and the climate is milder.

Davis said that once they had decided to put Woods and Mickelson together, it was an easy choice to match up others high in the world rankings. Geoff Ogilvy, Ernie Els and Justin Rose will be the same grouping, while Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and K J Choi will be in another and Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Stewart Cink in another. Three leading English hopes - Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Luke Donald - are also drawn together.

"If there was a right year to do this," Davis said about Tiger and Phil, "this was it."

Tiger's US Open recordTiger Woods has won the US Open twice: in 2000 at Pebble Beach, by an astonishing 15 shots, then in 2002 at Bethpage, by three strokes over Phil Mickelson.In the 11 US Opens he has entered as a professional, Woods also has two second places – last year and in 2005 – and a third in 1999, when Payne Stewart won. Woods has missed the cut only once in 45 majors as a professional – in the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot.He had missed the previous five PGA Tour events following the death of his father from cancer.

Source : www.telegraph.co.uk
by Art Spander

Cech concerned by Euro 2008 ball

Czech Republic star Petr Cech has become the latest goalkeeper to criticise the new Euro 2008 ball.

The 26-year-old Chelsea keeper feels the ball is difficult to judge because it deviates so much in flight.

He said: "The new ball is really unpredictable. We will see lots of goals from 30 metres out.

"The balls are so quick, they have scarcely any wind resistance and they can change direction any second, also in the last five metres."

He told Rotweiss, the online magazine of the Swiss Football Association: "It therefore won't help at all to see the ball coming from a distance."

Cech added: "And the TV commentators will again say 'what was the goalkeeper doing there? He surely got his hand to it'."

Croatia keeper Stipe Pletikosa joined the chorus of concern, saying: "Those balls are going all over the place, changing direction all the time, especially if fired from a distance."

Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar, who will be goal for Holland, said: "They are not designing balls for goalkeepers."

And Portugal's Ricardo added: "Everything that is new in football today is to hurt us. Nothing is done for our benefit." Germany keeper Jens Lehmann has previously voiced concerns over the ball ahead of the tournament, which starts on Saturday, saying: "You have to be brave to try to hold onto the ball. You really have to be happy just to stop it from going in".

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/czech_republic/7439862.stm

Torres desperate for Spain glory

Spain striker Fernando Torres has said he is desperate for Euro 2008 glory to help ease the pain of Liverpool's Champions League heartache last season.

The Reds crashed out at the semi-final stage with a 4-3 aggregate loss to Chelsea, taking the shine off a season that saw him grab 33 goals.

"The semi-finals of the Champions League have left a bad taste in the mouth," said the 24-year-old frontman.

"Now Euro 2008 is the last opportunity to finish with a title of this nature."

Spain are seen as perennial under-achievers in major competitions, often failing to live up to high expectations despite a wealth of talent.

However, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi in support, Torres says confidence is high ahead of Spain's Group D opener against Russia on 10 June.

"I have a lot of confidence following this season, and with a lot of desire to be able to finish the season with a title," he said.

"With Liverpool, we were close to winning the Champions League and you could taste what it could be like to win such an important title. "It was not to be though and to win a title will be what I have always dreamed of - a great season and a great end.

source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/spain/7440001.stm

Ronaldo 'wants to play at Madrid'

Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United has taken a new twist after the winger was reported as saying he would like to play for Real Madrid.

Real have been tracking Ronaldo, 23, despite being warned off by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I'd like to play for Real Madrid but only if it's true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them," he told respected Brazilian website Terra.

"However, it does not depend on me," said Portuguese midfielder.

"I'll only talk about this again after the European Championship," added Ronaldo. "Don't ask me any questions because I won't answer."

BBC Radio 5 Live's Mike Sewell who was with the Portugal squad in Switzerland on Thursday said he had spoken to another Portuguese journalist who had verified the translation of the website interview.

Journalist Julio Gomez, who spoke to Ronaldo, said nothing was cut and dry yet.

"This statement actually puts the pressure on Real," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The Spanish club would have to come up with the fee that United ask for Ronaldo, if the Premier League side decide to sell him.

"So if Ronaldo doesn't play for Real next season then it might be deemed as Real's fault for not matching the asking price.

"He's not saying he won't play for United, he's saying that he wants to play for Real but these conditions have to be fulfilled and the outcome doesn't depend on him."

Earlier this week Madrid president Ramon Calderon told Spanish newspaper Marca that the signing of Ronaldo "seems impossible" but, following Ronaldo's comments to Terra on Thursday, he has spoken again on the matter.

"For Madrid it is an honour to know that a player like him thinks that playing at Real would be good," he told Spanish newspaper AS.

"We are proud to know that he would like to be with us."

Further complicating the situation, Ronaldo's mother Dolores Aveiro was quoted on Friday saying her son would be staying with Manchester United.

"He is fine where he is," she told Portuguese television station TV1.

"The future only God knows, but what is sure is that he is going to continue in England."

Last season Ronaldo scored 42 goals as United won the Champions League and the Premier League.

Former France international and Tottenham winger David Ginola told BBC Radio 5 Live he believes the best option for the winger is to stay at United.

"I'm sure when he was young his dream was to play for Real Madrid at one stage in his career," said Ginola.

"It would be no surprise to me if he went, but if it was me I would wait another two or three years because playing in the best league in world, playing probably for best club in world, there's nothing better than that.

"He still has a few things to achieve in this country and I'm sure he can win more trophies. He is so loved in England that people would be disappointed to see a player like that leave."

Previously, Ferguson has maintained the Portuguese winger would not move, saying: "I'm confident about that. I'm very confident.

"It's a game Real play all the time, In the past they've done it with [David] Beckham, they've done it with Ronaldo, they've done it with my fitness coach last summer when they took him away from us, so we're used to it.

"It's a compliment to the standard of players we have, and we always seem to produce, but I am more than confident Cristiano will be with us next year."

"The Glazer family will not be messed about in this situation.

"We want Cristiano to stay for a long, long time. He is on a fantastic contract and quite rightly so - he's the best player in the world."

source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7439031.stm

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic will play 13th seed Dinara Safina in the French Open women's final on Saturday.

Last year's runner-up Ivanovic was a break down in the final set against fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic.

But the 20-year-old stormed back to triumph 4-6 6-3 4-6, a win which also earns her the world number one ranking.

Safina was in unstoppable form as she overpowered fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 to reach her maiden Grand Slam final.

Kuznetsova's defeat means there will be a new Grand Slam champion after Saturday's final as well as a new world number one.

Ivanovic and Jankovic knew the winner of their semi-final would replace Maria Sharapova at the top of the rankings, and the younger Serb came through a topsy-turvy battle.

"I'm obviously very excited," said the 23-year-old, the first Serbian man or woman to hold the number one ranking.

"Coming into this tournament, I didn't expect that.

"But the tournament hasn't ended. I have another tough match, so that's all I want to focus on. You want to win every event. That's still my goal."

For Jankovic, it was her fourth defeat in a Grand Slam semi-final.

"I am very disappointed but I still cannot go and kill myself and put myself down," said the 23-year-old, who has been suffering from tendonitis in her arm.

"The year is still long. There are still two more grand slams, many big tournaments to play. I still have to work hard and believe in myself, and I will achieve my goal."

Ivanovic bounced back from a 3-0 deficit to win six consecutive games, giving her the first set and a 2-0 lead in the second.

But this year's beaten Australian Open finalist then began to struggle with her serve just as her fellow Serb began playing more aggressive tennis.

Jankovic won seven straight games and led 2-0 in the final set before Ivanovic mounted what proved a decisive comeback.

In the final game she broke serve by hitting four winners, including a ferocious forehand return on match point.

"It was a very tough match - there were lots of ups and downs," added Ivanovic.

"I was just so happy to stay strong in the end and win the match. "

Although younger than 22-year-old Safina, Ivanovic is certain to go into the final as the favourite.

But, buoyed by victories over Sharapova, seventh seed Elena Dementieva and now world number four Kuznetsova, Safina will herself be confident of lifting the title.

She has been one of the tour's in-form players on clay this season, winning Berlin, and dominated a strangely lacklustre Kuznetsova throughout to claim a thoroughly deserved triumph.

Safina, who saved match points against Sharapova in the fourth round and Dementieva in the quarter-finals, raced into a 4-1 lead by breaking her opponent twice in the first five games.

Despite working her way back to 4-3, Kuznetsova was broken again and Safina served out the set to leave the 2004 US Open champion shell-shocked.

Kuznetsova was becoming increasingly frustrated as she failed to establish her normal rhythm - earning a warning for angrily smashing a ball into the sky - and, crucially, she was broken at 2-2 in the second set.

Safina, seeded 13, overcame two break points the very next game and then broke again to take a 5-2 lead.

A litany of unforced errors, allied to Safina's stunning forehand, reduced Kuznetsova to a shadow of her normal self and the 2006 finalist pulled a forehand horribly wide to seal her defeat.

"It feels amazing. I didn't expect to get to the final," said Safina, the younger sister of Marat Safin, who won the 2000 US Open and the 2005 Australian Open.

Safina said coming back from the brink in her previous two matches had given her the confidence to beat Kuznetsova.

"I was confident, like there's nothing else that can happen," she said.

"I felt that being twice one step from the exit and still being here, that God kept me in this tournament.

"So I said, 'I have to be aggressive, because there will be no third chance that this will happen'."

Kuznetsova said: "It was pretty horrible. I felt pretty bad out there. I felt like I could not give her fight because I was fighting first against myself."

source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7438059.stm

Which prevails -- Lakers' offense or Celtics' defense?

Call it the immovable object versus the unstoppable force.

Lost in the wave of excitement about the retro NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the L.A. Lakers is the contrast in styles these two teams represent. When the Lakers have the ball, keep your eyes peeled, because it doesn't get any better than this matchup: the best offense in the game against one of the best defenses of all time.

Boston led the league in regular-season defensive efficiency by a large margin at 96.2. Relative to the league, only two teams in the past 35 years were better defensively, the 2003-04 Spurs and the 1992-93 Knicks (see chart).

Though we can't compare the Celtics to any team before the 1973-74 season because the league didn't track turnovers until then, we can consider this team a worthy successor to the Russell-era mantle of defensive dominance. Feisty D allowed the team with the league's 10th-best offense to roar to a league-best 66 wins.

All-Time Defensive Efficiency Leaders, Relative to League*
Team	Year	Def. Eff.	League Avg.	Differential
San Antonio	2003-04	92.31	100.84	-8.53
New York	1992-93	96.77	105.07	-8.20
Boston	2007-08	96.16	104.14	-7.98
New York	1993-94	95.85	103.72	-7.83
San Antonio	2004-05	95.80	103.09	-7.29

* - since league began tracking turnovers in 1973-74

Boston has kept up that defensive effort in the postseason. In the playoffs, the Celtics again rank first, narrowly edging out Cleveland at 99.4 and lapping the rest of the competition. Though not quite as dominant as the Celtics' regular-season statistic, this 20-game performance is a reasonable facsimile of the first 82 games.

Meanwhile, out on the other coast, L.A. swept to the top record in the West based largely on the league's third-best regular-season offense. But even that No. 3 ranking understates the Lakers' success.

The Lakers ranked fifth in offensive efficiency on Feb. 5, the day Pau Gasol first donned purple and gold. Then they had a little hiccup in late March, when Gasol missed nine games and all but three minutes of a 10th because of an ankle sprain.

Outside of that, Gasol played in 26 regular-season games for L.A. The team's offensive efficiency mark in those games? A staggering 114.0, which would have led the league by a mile had the Lakers kept that up all year; in fact, had they performed anywhere near that mark for a full season, they would have rivaled the greatest offensive teams in league history.

As with Boston, L.A.'s offensive performance hasn't been quite as jaw-dropping in the playoffs. L.A. is third among playoff teams in offensive efficiency at 109.0, standing a whisker behind Orlando and New Orleans.

Still, the 41 games of the Gasol era have produced very impressive results. Los Angeles has played half a season's worth of games with him in the lineup and has posted an offensive efficiency mark of 112.0, which would have comfortably led the league. (Phoenix was first in the regular season at 111.2.) And 15 of those games have come in the crucible of playoff competition, including five conference finals games against an elite defensive team from San Antonio.

So between Boston's defense and L.A.'s offense, we've got quite a showdown ahead of us. Rarely have two teams had such overwhelming strengths clash.

But it's not the very first time a great offense has met a great defense. Which brings us to these questions: What happens in such impacts? Does the defense win the day? Or does the offensive team's high skill level overwhelm?

Yep, it's time for a history lesson. Let's take a look back in time to see what happened in recent playoff series when great offenses and great defenses clashed and the matchup was at least somewhat even on paper.

source : http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=OffenseDefense-080604
by John Hollinger

Safina impossibly comes through again

PARIS -- Wednesday was Groundhog Day for Dinara Safina. For the second consecutive match, the excitable 22-year-old executed a breathtaking escape against a fellow Russian.

In the fourth round, Safina dropped the first set to top-seeded Maria Sharapova, then trailed 2-5 in the second. After overcoming a match point and another 2-5 deficit in the tiebreaker, she rolled in the third set to reach the quarterfinals. On Wednesday, Elena Dementieva played the role of Sharapova and again, impossibly, Safina came through.

Really, this is starting to get ridiculous.

"Once you went through this, you always believe," Safina said. "Why not the second time?"

Dementieva had a match point, but her nerve and serve left her and Safina prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-0. Safina, through to the first Grand Slam semifinal of her career, will meet another Russian, Svetlana Kuznetsova on Thursday.

Kuznetsova defeated Kaia Kanepi (pronounced KEYE-ah Ka-NEP-i) 7-5, 6-2 in the other quarterfinal.

Meanwhile, in the bottom half of the draw, the Serbs will have their own private play-in to the championship round. It's No. 2 Ana Ivanovic versus No. 3 Jelena Jankovic, and the winner will find herself one victory from her first Grand Slam singles title -- and the No. 1 world ranking.

The light-bulb moment for Safina came when she was trailing Dementieva 4-5 in the second set. She was ruining herself with errors, going for too much, so she decided to ratchet things down a bit. Voila! Patience on clay is the greatest of virtues.

"I think she was confused because I wasn't [hitting any harder]," Safina said in an interview with French television. "I said, 'You're going to have to hit a winner now.'"

Safina, who saved a match point against Dementieva (Dementieva hit a backhand into the net, leading 5-3 on Safina's serve) just as she did against Sharapova, never trailed in this tiebreaker, but faded slightly after winning the first three points. At 3-all, she ran off three straight points and you could see and feel Dementieva's grief hanging heavily in the air over Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The third set? Don't ask. It was a total meltdown. Dementieva won a total of 14 points.

"It was very hard to play the third set after I had so many chances to finish the match," Dementieva said. "I was trying to get myself back into the game, but it was kind of difficult."

Kanepi and Kuznetsova have a history. For starters, they are both 22 years old, with Kanepi the older by 17 days. In the 2001 junior tournament here at Roland Garros, Kanepi actually beat Kuznetsova -- and Safina -- on her way to the title.

That was eight years ago. Kuznetsova has won nine tournaments (one of them the 2004 U.S. Open) and nearly $9 million, while the best Kanepi has done is reach the final in Hassfelt, Belgium, and accumulate only $525,000 in career winnings.

Briefly, it seemed that Kanepi might give Kuznetsova a go. She was up a break in the first set, 4-2, but eventually her big groundstrokes started getting loose. Kuznetsova, a pro's pro, turned up the juice and broke Kanepi in the seventh and 11th games. That was it for the Estonian, who had her best Grand Slam tournament ever.

Like the two Serbs, Kuznetsova's reward for winning at Roland Garros would include the No. 1 ranking.

"Definitely, it would be nice," Kuznetsova said. "But also to win Grand Slam for me, to win French Open is also big. But I still don't see so far ahead, because my next match [is] going to be so tight."

She'll be the favorite against Safina -- but so was Sharapova.

"Dinara is playing very well on the clay court," Kuznetsova said. "She won in Berlin, she won two matches here with match balls down. She has too many lives, so I have to be careful with her."

source :http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/notebook?page=notebook/tennis06042008
by Greg Garber

The Sacking Of Avram Grant!

I don't think this came as a surprise to anybody.

Avram Grant has been sacked as Chelsea manager less than a week after he led Chelsea to their first ever Champions league league appearance.

Avram Grant was never a popular choice at the bridge and his tactics came under scrutiny more than ones especially after the Carling cup loss to Spurs after taking a lead through David Drogba's splendid free kick (although Paul Robinson should have done better).

Avram did well in my reckoning although managers are judged according to the trophies they won, and he failed to win any. He was a penalty kick away from winning the UCL but their "strong man" John Terry bottled it.

I have a feeling he would still have been sacked even if John Terry had put away that penalty. Most Chelseans are glad to see his back.

So who's taking over?

- Guus Hiddinks

- Frank Riijkaard

- Sven Goran Ericsson

- Ten Cate

- Jose Mourinho

- Roberto Mancini

The list is endless.

I have a feeling Peter Kenyon already has a candidate in mind but he wants the UCL furore to cool off before getting back in the news.

The job of the new manager is clear. Get rid of the unhappy players and bring in quality players to fortify the squad. The signings made at the beginning of the season by former manager Jose Mourinho were not up to scratch.

The right back position has been a problem for Chelsea so the signing of José Bosingwa is a good one especially if you consider that he can also play in midfield.

They also need quality wingers. Florent Malouda has not really settled in well. I heard Barcelona are ready to take him on so that will be good for all parties. Joe Cole is not a natural winger and should be brought back to the middle.

The central midfield in good as it is. Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Mikel Obi, Claude Makelele should do the job for them.

Chelsea should be back stronger next season.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Akin_Alabi

Azzuri is favourite in the group C for Euro 2008

As the EURO 2008 approaches all 16 teams which will participate in the international competition get set and ready to play their group rivals. Of the four groups the Italians have been selected along with Romania, the Netherlands and World Cup runner up bitter France.

Les Blues' will be indeed one of the strongest rivals to defeat as after the 2006 World Cup the French Coach Raymond Domenech began to shift this direction and new talent was added to the team to replace the empty spot left by the ex galactico Zidane. Domenech has called to training a total of 29 players from which he will decide the 23 that will participate at the EURO 2008.

"You can't say there won't be problems, won't be any injuries," Domenech told RTL radio station on Wednesday. "We have to think ahead. Everyone has to stay vigilant and ready. I envisage all the possibilities."

On June 9 France will meet Romania in the opening round game; this will certainly be a very interesting game as Romania Coach Victor Piturca has also began his preparations for the European championship which include 14 players from the local league besides Inter Milan captain Cristian Chivu and VfB Stuttgart striker Ciprian Marica who Piturca hopes would be able to play as he is still recovering from an injury.

On the other hand, we have the current World Champions the Azzurri whose football has been very steady and has delivered many triumphs; but we know the Italians have only captured one EURO Cup title back in 1968. It is true that Italy is the favorite to win this tournament due to reasons such as their strong game and their excellent level of players. But there is still a question left unanswered regarding the current 44 year-old Italian Coach Roberto Donadoni who has been with the Italians for a relatively short period.

Donadoni who previously replaced Marcello Lippi has a contract which expires at the end of the EURO 2008; but he has been offered an extension in order to secure his place with the team. Until now Donadoni has not accepted the agreement and stated "To me the current situation does not represent a problem." "I am going into it (Euro 2008) with great enthusiasm."

Previous to Donadoni's announcement of his 23 players Italy will participate in the last friendly game versus Belgium at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence next May 25th. It is believed players such as: Pippo Inzaghi, Alex Del Piero and Antonio Cassano will be part of the roster.

Nevertheless; the Italians' face a very big task ahead of them but the team has one of the best chances to make this dream come true for many around the world; as well as for their countrymen at home land where the sport of football was horrendously hit by a wave of match-fixing scandals and some of the most recognized teams were moved down to the Series B and their points removed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudy_Beckford

Welcome Back Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho was announced as the new manager of Inter Milan and I for one would like to welcome the special one back to the realms of football. Jose is quite a character and has been truly missed by those who love the sport of football.

Mourinho breathed new life into the world of English football when he took over as the manager of Chelsea and I am sure that he will have a similar positive affect on the Italian football league.

The majority of the supporters of Chelsea would love Mourinho to be back in charge of their league in the future and now has legend status at Stamford Bridge.

So what can Jose Mourinho bring to Inter Milan? Passion, pride, success and winning football is the answer. Mourinho has already been victorious in the ever popular Champions league and this will no doubt be his goal for the coming season. Who would beat against a Chelsea versus Inter Milan final next season? Football seems to make these types of events happen.

The Inter Milan supporters sure have a lot to look forward to. Their will be frills and spills as well as a huge amount of entertainment. Just listening to what Jose has to say pre and post match is fascinating in itself.

Going back to Chelsea I have heard rumors that Zola could well be on his way back in some capacity. This is just a rumor at the moment but this itself would really please the Chelsea supporters as well as the rest of the English football public.

Good luck Jose Mourinho; I look forward to hearing and watching your antics next year. Perhaps one day you might even manage my favourite team, Birmingham City - some how I doubt it however.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
stuttering
DVD authoring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hill