VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS : AT MADRID 2 - CHELSEA FC 2 ( SEE GOALS BY AGUERO)

Who is the Best Center in the NBA?

Who do you think is the best center in the NBA? I have trimmed the list down to four worthy candidates.

Dwight Howard 20.9 PPG, 14,2 REBS

Al Jefferson 23.1 PPG, 11 REBS

Yao Ming 19.8PPG, 9.6 REBS

Shaquille O'Neal 17.4 PPG, 8.8 REBS

Solo critical of Ryan

Hope Solo was benched before today's 4-0 loss to Brazil, and she isn't going to hold back on her coach, Greg Ryan.

"It was the wrong decision and anyone who knows anything about the game knows that," Solo said in a TV interview after the game.

US soccer star very much a Filipina at heart

At first glance, this 5'4" female athlete does not show her Oriental roots. But when she starts talking about her grandfathers and grandmothers and her countless uncles and aunties, international soccer star Tiffany Marie Roberts sounded very much a Filipina.
Roberts, a member of the United States soccer team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the Women World Cup championship team in 1999, has returned to her roots as a sports envoy promoting soccer among the Filipino youth.

Under pressure Ryan drops Christie Welsh

Here is what I posted on August 7, 2006:
"A group of senior US WNT players are lobbying coach Greg Ryan to start Natasha Kai (5 goals in 8 games) ahead of Christie Welsh in the upcoming friendlies vs. China and Mexico."

Here is a list of forwards for the China match:
FORWARDS (5): Natasha Kai (Kahuku, Hawaii), Kristine Lilly (Wilton, Conn.), Heather O'Reilly (East Brunswick, N.J.), Lindsay Tarpley (Kalamazoo, Mich.), Abby Wambach (Rochester, N.Y.)

Welsh is missing.

EU in new anti-tobacco sponsor push

EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou is renewing efforts to drive tobacco sponsorship out of Formula One.

Speaking in an interview with the Financial Times Deutschland, Kyprianou said he has written to the FIA and Ferrari, who are sponsored by Marlboro parent company Philip Morris, to express his desire to see tobacco logos out of the sport.

"Formula One is a symbol," he said. "We must limit the advertising of tobacco as much as possible so we can limit the influence on young people."

Kyprianou said that the continued allowance of tobacco logos at the grands prix in China, Bahrain and Monaco was undermining the EU's ban on cigarette advertising.

He met with Prince Albert of Monaco to discuss the matter earlier this week and plans to meet with Chinese officials next week.

"If European citizens still see tobacco advertising during races, it undermines the purpose of our legislation," he said.

"Formula One drivers are ex! tremely popular: they can become models. If they carry the name of a tobacco company on their chest then that sends the wrong message straight to young people."

Amla brilliant as Proteas pile on the runs

The Proteas have reached 517 for 7 in the last session of day on day 2 of the first test against India in Chennai.
Hashim Amla was run out on 159.
He hit 20 fours in his marathon innings of 404 minutes and 262 balls.
AB de Villiers got a quick fire 44 and Mark Boucher scored 70.

Nadal Does it Again

World number two Raphael Nadal claimed his fourth consecutive Barcelona Open after beating countryman David Ferrer 6 - 1 4 - 6 6 - 1 in the final yesterday. The win gives Nadal back to back victories after winning the Monte Carlo Masters last week and good momentum heading into the French Open.

'Big Phil' the man for Chelsea

There will be mixed feelings in Portugal this morning. The Portugese are through to the knock stages of EURO 2008 but their first-class manager Luiz Felipe Scolari will be joining Chelsea on 1 July.

Solari is the first Brazilian to manage an English club. His greatest success was winning the 2002 Soccer World Cup with Brazil. The 59-year-old who is known for his no nonense approach to football would be sure to ring changes once he joins The Blues as he has reportedly been given 100 million pounds for transfers.

On the subject of transfers, The 'will he stay or will he go show', starring non other than Cristiano Ronaldo is still on the road. Speculation over the 23-year-old's Manchester United future continues. The latest reports feature of R! onaldo meeting allegdely meeting with Real Madrid's fitness coach in Italy. United did report Real to FIFA for tapping up but Los Galacticos have been found innocent.

Pic: www.clicrbs.com

Brits Like a Duck in Water

Western Province hooker, Schalk Brits, hasn't stopped smiling since his arrival in New Zealand.

Brits comes in as cover for captain John Smit who will miss the rest of the away leg of the Tri-Nations with a groin injury. A spear-tackle from All Black lock Brad Thorn is believed to be the cause of the problem.

Bok coach Peter de Villiers opted to go on tour with only two hookers but in hindsight that may not have been such a good idea. But Brits is there now which is all that matters. The hooker has been waiting a while to get into the Springbok setup. There were calls for him to be selected for the Bo! ks for the past two years already following consistently good performances, but then-coach Jake White refused to select the mobile hooker. That led to an outburst by Brits in the media against White.

But Brits says that's behind him now and says his main goal now is to become a regular fixture in the Springbok mix. The hooker has been a real livewire in the practice sessions this week and will add that extra bit of "Oomph" to the Bok side as they still look for that elusive first win in New Zealand since 1998.

Rossi rules at home

Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi won the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano yesterday ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, but the talking point of the day was Casey Stoner crashing out again on the Ducati. Yet again, Stoner did it all alone, losing the machine in a corner probably due to just pushing the tyres over the limit of their physics.

Rossi's win equals Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 victories in the top Moto GP category. Rossi now leads the world championship standings by 75 points with just five races left, and it appears at the moment, that Stoner is not coping with the pressure of chasing. And time is running out.

Cobras End Pre-Season on a High

The Nashua Cape Cobras have concluded an excellent pre-season ahead of the Supersport Series by beating the Warriors by an innings and 58 runs in Oudtshoorn.

They drew their two-day match against the South Western Districts last week. JP Duminy was the Cobras' best batsman in the two matches, scoring 51 not out and 133 in the two innings' he's batted.

The Cobras play their first Supersport Series match against the Diamond Eagles at the De Beers Oval on the second of October.

Match Summary

WARRIORS 1st Innings 148/10 (53.2 Overs)

M. Smith c. Canning b. Kleinveldt 30

J. Botha c. Adams b. Kleinveldt 19

R. Jeggels c. Engelbrecht b. Zondeki 1

D. Jacobs LBW b. Zondeki 4

J. Kreusch c. Adams b. Plaatjies 2

J. Smuts c. Canning b. Kleinveldt 18

C.Thyssen LBW b. Plaatjies 19

A. Jacobs c. Van Zyl b. Adams 25

L. Meyer NOT OUT 6

B. Olivier c. Duminy b. Adams 2

R. Kobbs run out (Duminy) 1

Extras 19



M. Zondeki 11 4 29 2

R. Kleinveldt 16 3 42 3

B. Adams 7 2 20 2

A. Temoor 2 0 1 0

Plaatjies 11 1 35 2



NASHUA CAPE COBRAS 1s! t Innings 364/10 (114.4 Overs)

A. Puttick ! c. Jacobs b. Olivier 0

S. van Zyl LBW b. Olivier 4

L. Walter c. Botha b. Meyer 10

J. Duminy c. Jacobs b. Olivier 133

J. Ontong c. Jacobs b. Kobbs 1

B. Adams LBW b. Botha 8

S. Engelbrecht c. Thysen b. Botha 62

R. Kleinveldt c. Mjekula b. Botha 25

R. Canning NOT OUT 48

M. Zonkeki st. Jacobs b. Kreusch 0

A. Temoor c. Meyer b. Kreusch 9

Extras ! 44



M. Olivier 22 4 67 3

L. Meyer 18 7 57 1

P. Kobbs 11 2 44 1

J. Botha 26 5 58 3

J. Kreusch 14.4 4 39 2

S. Mjekula 11 2 29 0

J. Smuts 12 2 53 0



WARRIORS 2nd Innings 158/10 (43.1 Overs)

M. Smith c. Kleinveldt b. Zondeki 30

J. Botha LBW b. Kleinveldt 6

J. Smuts LBW b. Plaatjies 16

A. Jacobs b. Zondeki 4

J Kreusch b. Plaatjies 18

D. Jacobs ! st. Canning b. Adams 61

C. T! hyssen c. Ontong b. Kleinveldt 3

R. Jeggels c. Duminy b. Adams 7

R. Petersen run out 5

L. Meyer NOT OUT 4

M. Olivier c. Puttick b. Adams 6



Extras 5



M. Zondeki 17 6 46 2

R. Kleinveldt 12 2 45 2

F. Plaatjies 7 1 39 2

A. Temoor 5.1 1 16 3

Breakfast Headlines

Springbok afrigter, Peter de Villiers, was 'n gelukkige man toe hy gister in Kaapstad aangekom het. Hy se hy's bly die span kon die ondersteuners gelukkig maak met hulle rekord oorwinning oor Engeland op Twickenham. De Villiers se die spelers sal nou eers moet fokus op die Super 14 voor die Britse en Ierse Leeus toer...


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de Villiers believes rugby supporters will still rush to see the British and Irish Lions tests in June regardless of the price of tickets. A seat at one of the three tests will cost 1140 rand...

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Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward says he was "humiliated" to see England lose 42-6 at home to South Africa...!

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Nashua Cape Cobras coach Shukri Conrad is waiting to find out whether fast bowler Monde Zondeki will be available for Friday's MTN Domestic Championship match against the Gestetner Diamond Eagles. Zondeki could be on duty for the Proteas in the second test against Bangladesh which starts tomorrow...

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Manchester United are in the hunt for a single point against Villareal to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Champions League. A draw will see both sides go through. United are without Dimitar Berbatov and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo. Arsenal will be looking to shake off their poor league form when they host Dynamo Kiev and look for three points to qu! alify. Cesc Fabregas will captain the side. Celtic must beat D! anish si de Aalborg to stay alive. Another mouthwatering clash is the early match at half past seven between UEFA Cup champs Zenit St Petersburg and Juventus.
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Wigan have moved out of the English Premier League's bottom three after a 1-0 win over Everton.
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The second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race towards India is heading into a waters were sea pirates have been very active recently. Here's Ericsson 3's Richard Mason...

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From the dark side of sport: Tim Montgomery has admitted to doping ahead of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and appears ready to return his gold medal he won there in the 4 by 100 metres relay. Meanwhile, cyclist Bernhard Kohl, who last month admitted to using drugs in the Tour de France, where he finished third, has been banned for two years.

The Reds, Australia's Gentlemen

The Reds are in the Mothercity preparing for their crunch Super 14 clash against the Stormers on Friday and what a nice, down-to-earth bunch they are.

I'm not a big Aussie fan, in fact I get quite peeved and filled with feelings of contempt against them whenever they play one of our teams whether it be rugby or cricket. I couldn't stand their apparent arrogance and aura of supremacy they display every time they take the field.

But those feelings of contempt have since changed to almost feelings of admiration. When I met captain Berrick Barnes and winger Digby Ioa! ne at the Cullinan Hotel in the CBD, I remember thinking to myself that these are guys I could hang out with. They were so friendly and relaxed and very forthcoming. They couldn't stop talking about how great Cape Town and the people are and how this is their favourite South African city to visit.

It was a pleasure interviewing the guys and there was no sign of arrogance or that aura of supremacy, but that could have something to do with the fact that they've been the whipping boys of Super 14 rugby in recent times. I don't think so though, I think they're genuinely nice guys.

They did have a qui! et confidence about them especially from Barnes. He thinks the! Stormer s' expansive gameplan could play straight into their hands because they were strangled a bit by the Bulls last week and only showed what they could do when the game opened up a bit. On paper, the Reds don't have a bad side especially in the backline. Wallaby rookie of the year, Peter Hynes, is still in the best form of his life and always a threat on the right wing as is Ioane on the left. Barnes is a regular in the Wallaby starting lineup and has seldom had a bad game and his midfield partner Morgan Turinui knows all about how to make something out of nothing.

Flyhalf Quade Cooper has shown he belongs at this level while newcomer Mark McLinden comes in at fullback highly rated.

So, definitely not a side to be scoffed at but the Stormers will nevertheless have to play well to get past the Reds who will come at them hard in the opening exchanges. Kick off on Friday night is at 19:10.

Mokoena determined to leave Blackburn

Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena says he'll leave English Premier League strugglers Blackburn Rovers at the end of the season.

"Mbazo" says he's considering a few options and wants to sign before the Confederations Cup in June.

He says he's looking for a new challenge after almost five years with Rovers.

"I need to move on with my career. So, ja, hopefully things will work out very well at the end of the season for me to be able to find the club I'll be signing a contract! with."

Mokoena was tight lipped about where he might go.

"There's still interest out there. I really want to come back home for Confederations Cup knowing exactly where I will be playing my football next season. I will be probably announcing that sooner rather than later."

He says he's relieved the club survived this season after flirting with relegation, but now he's hoping for some good offers from clubs interested in his services.

"I've been committed to Blackburn and I'm still committed to Blackburn as we have two games to play. My first objective really was to be loyal to the club as much as I can, as I'm contracted to the club, and I did that. Now it's really that I feel that really it's about time for me to move on."

"I mean I've been with Blackburn for four and a half years. My contract will be running out soon, so that's going to make five years being with Blackburn, so I feel like I had a good spell at Black! burn I'm happy, but now, for me, I need another challenge."

Brazilian Grand Prix: Points of Interest

This weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix is the season finale for what has been a spirited and competitive season. Below are this weekend's points of interest:

1. Hamilton v. Massa. This is the showdown everyone is here to see. Although Hamilton only needs a 5th place to win the championship, the old saying "to finish first, you first must finish" is still applicable. McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh has publicly admitted to fears about McLaren reliability given the gearbox problem that Hamilton had last year. With Massa being a race winner here and with all the motivation in the world he is a race favorite. He will need to win to maximize his title chances.

2. Kubica v. Raikkonen. Robert Kubica sits 3rd in the championship standings however is still under threat from Kimi Raikkonen who is only 6 points behind. Kubica can not coast in this race with Renault's pace as they would take points from him. For Raikkonen, finishing 3rd in the title figh! t would salvage what has been a very disappointing title defense year.

3. Wet Weather. Looking at the forecast, rain can play a factor in the title fight. Massa is not very good in the wet and Hamilton has shown to a be rain master. However, we have seen the best wet weather drivers throw their cars off the road. So by all means, there are guarantees that if it rains Hamilton's a lock for the title.

Enjoy the Grand Prix!

Owen Plays Down 'Big Club' Label

Michael Owen has attempted to diffuse his remarks that Manchester United are the biggest club in the world ahead of their trip to Liverpool.

The former Real Madrid and Newcastle striker hinted earlier this week that the Old Trafford outfit were the biggest in the world when commenting on how he was settling at the club.

Owen - who spent eight years with Liverpool until 2004, scoring more than 100 goals for the illustrious club - is expected to receive a frosty welcome from Reds fans on 25th October, live on Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old insists he did not set out to offend his formerly-adoring faithful and that the likes! of Liverpool are behind United in some areas, but level pegging in others.

Owen, who has recovered from a groin strain, has been back to Anfield as an opposing player for Newcastle and concedes he is looking forward to returning to his old ground.

"I didn't set out to offend anyone," explained the 29-year-old.

"What I said was, in terms of support, revenue and stadium, Man United are probably the biggest in the world but Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are up there with them in other areas.

"In saying that, I'm sure things I've said at different times over the last 20 years will be dredged up and turned into back-page stories over the next two weeks.

"I've been back before with Newcastle a couple of times, so I've played there for an opposing team, but I'm certainly looking forward to this game.

"It will be different, it'll be a bit noisier."

Although United are four points clear of Liverpool in t! he table, Owen expects the Anfield clash to be keenly conteste! d.

"As usual between United and Liverpool, it'll be a competitive game between two of the world's top teams," he added.

"The teams are more equally matched perhaps than when I went back with Newcastle, so it should be a good game and an exciting day."

Rafa Benitez To Battle With Jose Mourinho Over Young Gabon Defender Bruno Ecuele Manga

Liverpool and Inter Milan are in the hunt for highly-rated Gabon central defender Bruno Ecuele Manga.

Manga, 21, plays his club football for Angers in France's Ligue 2. He has scored twice in nine international appearances.

The Reds have suffered three defeats in a row, leading critics to ask questions about the form of long-time defensive lynchpin Jamie Carragher. And the signs are that Benitez is looking for reinforcements.

Manga revealed: 'I am flattered to be linked with prestigious clubs like those two big teams in Europe.

'The two managers are legends of the game, they have won leagues and European cups, so let me dream to work under their guidance.'

When asked which club he would prefer to join, Manga said: 'Who am I to choose? It is good to hear interest from two big teams but I need to work hard and the future will decide.'

Liverpool Without Steven Gerrard & Glen Johnson For Fulham Trip

Liverpool will be forced to maintain the feel-good factor built-up after the Manchester United win last weekend by travelling to Fulham without key pair Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard, as confirmed by manager Rafael Benitez.

The Spanish boss stated today, Friday, that influential attacker Gerrard is still suffering from a persistent groin problem, and that roaming right-back Johnson is sidelined due to a calf injury.

"Gerrard still has a problem with his groin so he won't be available this weekend," Benitez explained to the BBC.

"At this moment he's working with the physios. He has to keep working and we'll decide next week how he progresses."

Regarding Johnson, he added: "Johnson has a small tear in his calf, so we will lose him for maybe one week."

Albert Riera will also be absent from the Reds' line-up this weekend, however, Benitez will welcome Javier Mascheran! o back into the side after the Argentine served his one-game suspension for picking up two yellow cards against Manchester United.

Maria Ozawa, Beauty Girl from Japan

Maria likes purple. Cute and sexy with interesting pose. Full name is Maria Ozawa. She is Christian religion follower that is obedient.

Sexy Bikini Girl On BMW

Blue bikini girl was sitting on a BMW car is very sexy and beautiful.

Dakar heroes to host school

From Motorally.ca

CHELSEA, QC -- Motorally Canada Inc. has announced that 2005 Dakar pilot Bob Bergman and 2003 competitor Maryline Lambelin will be instructing the Motorally Canada Rally School Aug. 29-30. The school is being held as part of Motorally Canada's unique Quebec TSD 2000 Navigational Rally.

Bergman and Lambelin will teach navigation skills and how to master time keeping, and will go into depth regarding strategies for success in the TSD 2000. On day two, participants will ride with these accomplished riders during a "mini-rally", where they will practice the knowledge acquired in day one.

Both will make presentations about their Dakar experiences during the Rally.

"I'm excited to be able to offer our clients this caliber of instruction during our event," said MotoRally Canada president Bryan Flannigan. "Our clients will certainly benefit from their knowledge and will be inspir! ed by their adventures in the legendary Dakar rally."

The Quebec TSD 2000 Navigational Rally is a five-day event being held in St-Donat that will attract riders from Canada and the U.S. Time, speed and distance (TSD) rallying tests a rider's ability to precisely navigate a route while matching average speeds set by the rally-master. Participants collect penalty points for arriving at a checkpoint either too early or too late.

All event details and information can be obtained at www.motorally.ca.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Duff and Jervis for Thunder

From BMW Motorrad Canada

WHITBY, ON -- BMW Motorrad Canada has announced that Oliver Jervis and Chris Duff will campaign the new BMW R1200S in the 2006 Canadian Thunder Racing Series. The factory effort, named the Schenker – BMW Financial Services BMW R1200S Team will feature the new R1200S boxer twin which boasts an additional 24 horsepower over its predecessor along with a weight reduction of 13 kg before race modificiations.

"The Canadian Thunder Racing Series is the perfect environment to showcase the new R1200S and further highlight the new generation of BMW motorcycles which all embrace sporting performance and industry-leading innovation," stated Norm Wells, director, BMW Motorrad Canada.

Jervis and Duff bring serious credentials to the Schenker-BMW Financial Services BMW R1200S Team. Jervis has secured podium finishes in either WMRRA or WMRC Superbike categories from 2002 through 2004, while ! placing first overall in SuperMoto in 2004 and first overall in both Superbike and 600 Supersport in 2005. He also "cut his BMW teeth" in 2004 riding an R1100S to 10th place at the BMW Boxer Cup in Valencia, Spain.

Duff also brings an extensive racing portfolio to the position, with numerous podium finishes in Canada and the U.S. in 125GP, 250GP, Formula 3, Supermono and Pro 600 series. A former Canadian 125cc Grand Prix champion, Duff has not only figured largely in establishing Canadian Thunder as a national category within the overall Parts Canada Superbike Championship, but also finished fourth overall in the 2005 Canadian Thunder Series and was the top finishing BMW racer at every race.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Cincinnati Bengals: Top 10 Draft Busts Under Mike Brown

Listed below is a list of what I believe to be Mike Brown's biggest draft busts. Brown was recently named the #1 worst-decision maker in the NFL draft by Yahoo Sports. Brown took over ownership in 1991 and has been responsible for every draft since 1992. The rankings go from 10 to 1, 1 being the worst.

10. Keiwan Ratliff (2004 – 2nd Round, 49th pick, CB from Florida):
The Bengals drafted Ratliff and immediately game him the chance to take over as one of their key corners, as players such as Tory James and Deltha O'Neal were aging. Ratliff seemed lazy on the field at times and in three full seasons with the Bengals Ratliff only managed to average 33 tackles and one interception a year. I can still remember Ratliff getting burned by elite receivers clear as day. Good luck with the Indy.

9. Chris Perry (2004 – 1st Round, 26th pick, RB from Michigan):
Oh the Benga! ls thought they found a gem in Chris Perry at the end of the 1st round in 2004… boy were they wrong. Sure, Perry has been plagued by injuries but the thing is he's been given a chance to come back and was even given the starting nod in 2008, after sitting out 2007. People still believed they would possibly see the 2005 version of Perry but instead they received 269 yards and a 2.6 YPC average on the ground. I partially blame Michigan for his injuries as he was used as a work-horse in college, averaging close to 35 carries per game and was even given 51 carries in one game!

8. Odell Thurman (2004 – 2nd Round, 48th pick, LB from Georgia):
You may be saying to yourself how can a guy who put up 98 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles be considered a bust in his lone season? One reason, the Bengals took a chance on Odell although he had a troubled past. After violating team rules the Bengals game him one more chance, and then one more…. You know what the end result was. A kid with this kind of potential can't take this gift for granted. What guys like David Pollack would give to be able to play the game again. You're a bust not because of how you played in your lone year on the field but because how great you could've been.

7. Marco Battaglia (1995 – 2nd Round, 39th pick, TE from Rutgers):
This highly sought after tight end once put up 13 catches for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns in one game at Rutgers. Battaglia never amassed more than one touchdown or more than 16! 0 yards in one of his five seasons with the Bengals, enough said.

6. John Copeland (1993 – 1st Round, 5th pick, DE from Alabama):
Copeland played for one of the best defenses in NCAA football history during his 1992 campaign at Alabama where he was a part of the national title winning Crimson Tide. Copeland was suppose to resurrect a horrendous Bengals defense and was immediately given the starting nod his rookie season. Copeland played seven full seasons for the Bengals and put up one solid year where he sacked the quarterback 9 times and had 55 tackles. During the other six seasons Copeland only put up 15 total sacks. Overall, Copeland was never the guy the Bengals thought they would be getting with a top-5 pick in the draft.

5. Reinard Wilson (1997 – 1st Round, 14th pick, DE from Florida St.):
This All-American at Florida State compiled 13 sacks in his seni! or campaign. Wilson was one of those guys that could never tr! ansition over from the D-Line in college to the linebacker slot in the pros. In his second year as a pro Wilson was given a shot at the starting ROLB slot for the Bengals. In 15 games started he only put up 47 tackles, not the ideal numbers you're looking for coming from a linebacker. He only played six seasons in the pros.


4. Dan Wilkinson (1994 – 1st Round, 1st pick, DT from Ohio St.):
Dan "BIG Daddy" Wilkinson was the Bengals first #1 overall draft pick in franchise history. The BIG ! man put up close to 25 sacks in two seasons for the Buckeyes and skipped his senior campaign. Usually, you expect BIG things out of the #1 draft choice, unfortunately he never lived up to the hype. Yes, he averaged 6 sacks a year during his four season with the Bengals but he was slow, never really demanded the double teams we thought teams would apply against him, and he was unhappy here. He's now played 13 NFL seasons and has not once made the Pro Bowl or even been considered an elite DT. Although, Wilkinson would've fit in well with the current Bengals teams as he had legal troubles in 1996 for striking his pregnant wife.

3. Ki-Jana Carter (1995 – 1st Round, 1st pick, RB from Penn St.):
Wait… there's no way the Bengals could manage to have back-to-back busts with the #1 selection in the NFL draft in back-to-back years, right…… wrong. Boy was I excited about this selection as I'd seen Carter go from being an elit! e high-school running back at Westerville South just outside C! olumbus to being a star at Penn State. This Rose Bowl MVP immediately was given the reigns as the Bengals starting running back. We all remember his third pre-season game against Detroit when we saw Carter tear his ACL, after that he was never the same. Carter ending up only compiling 1,144 rushing yards in 10 NFL seasons, but hey he's now thrown out the shoulder pads and writes for a blog, OPENSports.com.

2. David Klingler (1992 – 1st Round, 6th pick, QB from Houston):
This was a close call as both quarterbacks were equally as bad in the pros. However, Klingler had a solid college career and broke records, including throwing for 11 touchdowns in a single game and overall deserved to be a top pick with the numbers he put up in college. In 24 starts with the Bengals Klingler put up an abysmal 4-20 record and threw for only 16 touchdowns compared to 22 interceptions.

1. Akili Smith (1999 – 1st Round, 3rd pick, QB from Oregon):
Congratulations Akili Smith, you've earned the honors of the NKYsportsworld.com biggest draft bust. The Bengals picked Smith after one solid season at Oregon where he put up 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. In four seasons and 17 starts with the Bengals, Smith had a 3-14 record. During this time he only completed 46% of his passes, threw for five touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Smith was out of the NFL by the age of 27. He Akili, you should've stuck with baseball.

*O! ther such as Charles Fisher, David Pollack, and Kenny Irons co! uld've m ade the list; however, these guys played a year or less in the NFL due to injuries.

*Notice they're five offensive and five defensive busts on my list. QB's, RB's, and DE's accounted for two each. Interesting that I didn't have one OL or WR on the list.

*Interesting note: A 2008 comparison between the Bengals' scouting department and five AFC teams with a winning percentage above .500 since 1991 shows the winning teams employ five or more scouts whereas the Bengals employ only one.

Stormy Weathers Headed Toward Milwaukee

Stormy to Milwaukee... Derek didn't say it would be like this!

David "Stormy" Weathers was traded to Milwaukee for a player to be named this weekend. Looks like Jocketty is beginning to try to shed salaries as Weathers is making $3.5 million this year and had a club option for 2010 worth $3.7 million or a $400,000 buyout.

I will miss Stormy, he was consistent and posted an ERA in the mid-threes the past five seasons. He's currently posting a 3.32 ERA and the stat that stands out to me is he's posting a .199 BAA. He was a class act and put forth his best effort game in and game out.

Is this a surprise.... no. It's something that needed to be done as Stormy will soon be 40 and we literally can't afford to pay him close to $4 million next year. But do you trade him to a division rival??? We've traded or let division rivals sign players in the past couple years and it's ended up biting us in the you know what (See Ryan Dempster, Kyle Lohse, Todd Coffey).

Bengals Make Offer for Martellus Bennett?

Per Rotoworld (citing Chris Mortensen): The Bengals made a "significant offer" to the Cowboys to acquire Martellus Bennett. The Bengals seem to be focusing on tight end now that the long snapper situation has been corrected. Many have postulated that the Bengals are not happy with the progress of rookie 3rd round pick Chase Coffman so much that they refuse to activate him for games despite the team's struggles.

This leads me to speculate on the record that when Chase was drafted, he was not intended to play a significant role in the offense this year and the team is sticking to this plan. Last spring, three TEs were ahead of him on the depth chart (Kelly, Utecht, and Coats) who were all better suited for blocking and had more experience. Chase is a WR turned TE in a college spread offense (i.e. a WR who occasionally plays with his hand on the ground) a! nd was drafted as an NFL project. Had not both Kelly and Utecht gotten injured and Coats grown cement hands, he might have saw some spot action but he was never meant to play a big role this year.

I suspect if Chase were to see more action now, it would probably be ugly. Hopefully in time he'll turn into the pass-catching TE that we'd like him to be. But until he shows that to the coaches, he'll be watching the game with Jerome Simpson.

Make room for another banner & another number

-Keefe


Like Steve Carell at the end of 40- Year Old Virgin it finally happened. Ok, the Celtics didn't have to wait quite as long to capture another NBA Championship, but it sure felt like it. The Boston Celtics are the 2008 NBA Champions… Read that again, and see if it sinks in. If you're a C's fan it probably won't just yet. To the sports fan outside of New England it looks like just another title for a spoiled fan base. But the reality is the Celtics were at their worst while the Sox and Patriots were at their best. The Green overcame that and were the only story in the Boston area the past few months. If you've stuck with this team (and I hope you have, it means a lot more) you! understand where they have come from and where they are today. It is truly amazing.

For some perspective, the Celtics won 16 playoff games this year, they won 24 regular season games all of last year. They lost 18 games in a row, and played lineups such as Allan Ray, Kevin Pinkney, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Ryan Gomes. The first three guys aren't even in the league anymore. The lineup in the Usual Suspects probably gives them a game and definitely plays more defense. Not only were those players getting minutes for last year's Celtics team, but there wasn't a plan set in place on how to improve. Or so we thought.

365 days ago we were discussing the make up for the 2007-2008 Celtics. Part of that conversation was who the team would draft with the! 5th overall pick. Seriously, check the blog archive. Possibil! ities in cluded Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian, Al Thornton, or as I hoped, a trade. And when I said trade I thought of names like Ron Artest, AK-47, Shawn Marion to pair with Pierce and Al Jefferson. The addition of Ray Allen raised an eyebrow, but KG got people out of their chairs, and that was before the season started.

The Celtics busted out of the gates to an incredible 29-3 start before ultimately finishing 66-16. The questions of whether or not the 3 stars could come together for the good of the team were answered immediately, but critics wanted to see it in the post season. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen had never made the Finals before, and it was well documented, but to have 9 of the 10 ESPN "experts" pick the Lakers was an absolute joke. Marc Stein had LA in 5 games. You think he's got the Celtics in the top spot of his power rankings today? Got to love a 66 win team being the underdog.

The 17th Celtic Championship means so much too so many different people. Whe! ther it's the past Celtic greats in attendance, like Bill Russell, Tommy Heinson, Jo Jo White, John Havlicek, and Cedric Maxwell, who had to be thinking if this was ever going to happen again to a franchise that used to be so dominant. To Celtic greats who could not be in attendance, at least physically, Red Auerbach, Dennis Johnson, and Reggie Lewis. (Len Bias was drafted 22 years ago to the date that the Celtics snapped a 22 year drought… Bias was 22 the day he died, he also wore 34 in college same number of the series MVP, there's way more of these.) To Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers who built and coached this team after having the worst record in the East to the best in the league. To the fans old and new. To some this reminds them of the glory 80s days or even earlier, and to others this is the first time they can celebrate.

But most importantly to the players. The stars, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, fellow starters, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, benc! h guys Eddie House, James Posey, Tony Allen, Leon Powe, Glen D! avis, re ntals Sam Cassell, P.J. Brown, and seat fillers Scot Pollard, Brian Scalabrine, and Gabe Pruitt, they can all be called NBA Champions.

For KG, Pierce, and Allen it's like Martin Scorsese finally winning that oscar. Everyone knew he was a fantastic director even though he had yet to win the Academy Award. The Boston 3 Party were each incredible players with great resumes, but alluding them was that ring. Now they are off the list that includes Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dominique Wilkins, and Patrick Ewing, and join the distinguished company of Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.

Speaking of Bird I fully expect Paul Pierce to now join him atop the rafters of the new Gar! den. Before the season even started I felt the same way, but now that he has won a championship, like nearly every other number hanging above the court, there is no possible way the 34 doesn't make it up there. What a group he will join too, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinson, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Reggie Lewis, Dave Cowens, Red Auerbach, and more. It's an astonishing group of players, and you know Paul Pierce may be in the top 5.

Pierce (30 years old) is a 6 time All-Star, 6th on the all-time Celtics scoring list (10 points back of #5 Cousy), and has the 20th highest scoring average in NBA history. He has been lost in the shuffle playing with clowns like Orien Greene, Dwayne Jones, Kevin Pinkney, Dan Dickau, Andrew DeClergc, and was expected to go places with Ron Mercer, Ricky Davis, and Wally Szczerbiak. The only other time he played with someone who went to an All-Star ga! me in a Celtics uniform, Antoine Walker, they went to the Conf! erence F inals. Give the guy 2 All-Star and the results, an NBA Championship, and a Finals MVP.

You probably saw the graphic that showed in the first year that Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and John Havlicek played together (1962-1963), they won the title. The first year the Big 3 of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish teamed up (1980-1981), they won the title.

And now the first season for Pierce, Garnett, and Allen (2007-2008), they won the title. Cousy never played for the Celtics again after that '63 season, but it was in the middle of the Green winning 11 titles in 13 years. Bird, McHale, and Parish won 3 times as a trio, now we'll have to wait and see what lies ahead for Pierce (30), Garnett (32), and Allen (32).

Cue the awkward song and dance fr! om the very end of 40- Year Old Virgin.

-Keefe

Random Saturday musings

So this morning my brother had his tryout for Babe Ruth. I can tell you a few things after sitting there for a couple hours completely miserable: A) it's cold as shit out; B) this weather still sucks; and C) this league is a joke. They took the kids through the most unorganized infield practice, then set up a pitching machine to throw BP at 50mph. I've had my brother hitting 80-85 all winter, and this is what we walk out there to? To top it off, I should've known things were heading south when the guy rolled out the pitching machine on the actual wheels that fire out the baseballs. I know it's heavy, but you're not indoors and it's been raining all week guy. Nice to see you really thought that through. I know it's heavy, but for the sake of not getting dirt, grass and water all over the wheels, have someone help you lift it and carry it out there to the bump.

Anyway, in an effor to thaw out, I got home, plopped myself on the couch and pondered life over a! couple egg sandwiches and some ESPN.com. It was there that I came across Sportscenter's Top 10 plays from last night. The top play, rightfully so, featured Randall Bailey, a lightweight boxer who has challenged for a title and fought some solid competition over the course of his 45 professional matches. Last night, he took on Francisco Figueroa, a fringe contender who came in riding a 12 fight win streak. Thanks to a Bailey right hand, that streak, much like all of mine in Streak for Cash, has come to an end. Please enjoy:



No que! stion that's a candidate for KO of the year. And that will ser! ve as th is week's KO clip of the week.

Moving on, Troy Murphy did his best to fill the stat sheet last night in one fell swoop. I don't know if he got the assist on this as well, but he should've. What a play...



Somewhere, Ricky Davis is smiling proudly...



Enjoy the Final Four tonight. I've got a bet going with my buddy BJal. We've been picking against the spread for every game of the tournament so far. I'm down 2 with 3 to go, so I've gotta win out. I picked Villanova +7 and Michigan State +4.5. I don't like either pick, but obviously what I've been doing hasn't worked so far, so whatever. Loser takes the other out for dinner and drinks in the near future. Regardless of who wins, it's going to be a shitshow. Have a weekend.

-Bess

BJal's Lock du Jour - Saturday, October 17

I've been waiting for today for 2 weeks. Notre Dame-USC at 3:30. As a lot of you have probably figured out by now, there's one team we watch in this house and that's Notre Dame football. Today's game is absolutely huge for several reasons. The Irish haven't beaten USC in 7 years, and most of them haven't been close. There was the Bush Push game a few years back which derailed the Irish's title hopes, and today, Charlie Weis needs this win.

With an impressive victory, the #25 Irish will springboard up the rankings just in time for the BCS standings tomorrow night. The Michigan road victory hurt, especially since the Wolverines are playin! g like a Pop Warner team now, but there are still a few solid wins down the road that look more enticing than they did at the beginning of the season. Pitt took down Rutgers last night to move to 6-1, their lone loss on the road at NC State, which isn't good, but isn't the end of the world. There's the annual BC game, which is a must win against a decent ACC school, and Stanford at the end of the road, a team on the cusp of the top 25.

But this morning I almost threw up when BJal texted me and said his lock of the day is Notre Dame (+10). How could he do this to me? He's lost 3 in a row and is 4-7 overall now. He's like William H. Macy in the cooler. It's awful. Worse than coming down with the bubonic plague. So now I'm telling myself that he's lost 3 in a row and is due for a win, so hopefully ND covers AND wins outright. Can't wait.

BJal's Lock du Jour: Notre Dame +10 over USC
Overall: 4-7

-Bess

Mark Ealham's final bow takes Nottinghamshire into second place

In a delightful finale to the championship season, on an autumn afternoon of delicious sunshine, Nottinghamshire climbed above Somerset to take second place and the runners-up prize of £225,000.

Down the road in Derby, meanwhile, Essex persuaded the home side to set them 359 runs to win and, largely through Ryan ten Doeschate, they knocked them off and took second place in the Second Division, beating Northamptonshire to promotion.

Ten Doeschate took Essex into the First Division by hitting an undefeated 108 off 59 balls with nine fours an! d eight sixes. Nicky Boje, Northamptonshire's captain, might well feel aggrieved but it required the fastest hundred of the first-class season – off 54 balls – by Ten Doeschate to take Essex up.

Notts had not won a game in any competition since June so there were many jittery nerves along their way to pay-day. They set Sussex 372 to win from 84 overs – and as long as Notts won or drew, they would be certain of second place.

But they were two periods when Notts looked as though they could well blow it. Sussex had already been relegated and therefore had nothing left to lose. But to their credit they decided that the best way to prepare for the defence of their Pro40 title today would be to bat properly here, rather than slog the ball in the air and get on the motorway to Worcester.

Sussex's opening pair of Chris Nash and Mike Yardy raised a century stand, and Mark Ealham, in his last first-class game, was needed to! break it. Then the 40 year-old, a most Steady Eddie, dived! at mid- on to catch Murray Goodwin. Goodwin's loss of form in his benefit season and Sussex's lack of wickets – nobody has taken 40 – have been major factors in their relegation.

The second time that Notts faltered was when Dwayne Smith got going. The Barbadian hitter swiped six sixes and kept Sussex up with the rate by making 80 off 54 balls, belying his season's average of 13. But Samit Patel, operating both over and round the wicket, claimed the final wicket and his career-best figures with left-arm spin.

Overall, though, it is safe to say that never in the history of county cricket, since its Victorian origins, has so little interest been taken in it, whether the championship or the limited-overs formats, as in this season.

If this is the case, then the possible causes are numerous, ranging from the particular to the general. In the first instance, Durham have run away with the championship, as they have had the pace! bowling which rivals have lacked, so it has been a one-horse race.

Then there has been the very high percentage of draws in the championship. In the First Division well over half of the matches have been drawn, reducing public interest.

International cricket, which subsidises the domestic game, has ironically eroded interest further still. The international season here lasted from May 6 to Sept 20, swamping the county game – whereas last September allowed a championship climax.

The never-ending international schedule also deprives county cricket of the stars. The best cricketers, whether from England or elsewhere, are playing for their countries – and for the Indian Premier League as the domestic tournament of choice. Stuart Broad has played one championship game for Notts this season.

The absence of star cricketers has deprived county cricket of real spin – no Warne or Muralitharan or Kumble any more! – and real pace. What remains is monochrome fast-medium. F! or hour after hour four such bowlers rotate. And never has press coverage been so limited, as an integral part of the downward spiral.

Michael Vaughan, England's former captain, makes two proposals, one in his forthcoming book. the first is that two rounds of the championship should be played in India. This makes sense, as many counties go to the Gulf for pre-season training, and from there could go on to India in early April.

Alternatively, Vaughan suggests inviting domestic team from overseas – as they are not occupied during the English summer – to invigorate the county game. Split the championship into three divisions of seven teams, say, and invite the domestic champions of Australia, South Africa or India to play in the first division, and those of other countries to play in the second and third divisions.

Twelve championship games per county would raise the intensity and standard. The visitors could go home mid-se! ason while the counties played Twenty20, when again the domestic 20-over champions of other countries could be invited.

One point is certain. Delightful as Saturday's denouement was, the downward spiral cannot go on forever.

LV County Championship roll of honour

FIRST DIVISION

Champions: Durham
Runners-up: Notts

PROMOTED

Kent
Essex

Tsonga into last eight in Thailand

Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga needed three sets to beat Ernests Gulbis to reach the quarter-finals of the Thailand Open.

Top-seeded Tsonga took two hours and 12 minutes to see off the Latvian 6-7 (3/7) 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7-2).

Second seed Gilles Simon made lighter work of his second round tie, cruising past Kevin Kim 6-2 6-2 in just 61 minutes.

Simon will meet Evgeny Korolev after the Russian crushed Robby Ginepri 6-1 6-1.

Retiring former world nu! mber one Marat Safin limped out of the tournament.

The Russian, who intends to retire at the end of the year, was dismissed by Swiss qualifier Marco Chiudinelli 6-3 7-6 (7/4).

Eighth-seeded John Isner ensured his progression with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 triumph over German Mischa Zverev

Elsewhere, Andreas Beck was forced to work hard before defeating Donald Young 6-1 6-7 (7/3) 6-4.

Brazilian Grand Prix: Jenson Button wins world title after Rubens Barrichello's puncture

The Brazilian Grand Prix from Interlagos on Sunday Oct 18th as Jenson Button wins world title with fifth place behind race winner Mark Webber.

Wonderfully aggressive, typically smooth, Jenson Button finally laid claim to a richly deserved world title in Brazil on Sunday with a performance of utter brilliance; a performance worthy of a Formula 1 world champi! on.

With millions watching back at home, Button repeated Lewis Hamilton's feat of 12 months ago by silencing a vociferous home crowd at Interlagos to provide Britain with its first back-to-back world champions since Jackie Stewart succeeded Graham Hill 40 years ago.

If ever there was a display to end talk of mediocre championship years, of mental fragility, of stumbling over the finish line, this was it. From 14th on the grid, the Englishman, who believed his career might have been over 10 months ago when Honda pulled out of the sport, threw caution to the wind with the sort of abandon his detractors have been crying out for, risking all in a bid to make up the places necessary to secure the title with a race to spare.

In the event, fifth place proved more than enough thanks to Brawn team-mate Rubens! Barrichello's enduring bad luck at Interlagos. The Brazili! an, who had started on pole but carried the weight of a nation on his shoulders, finished eighth thanks to a late puncture, but in truth he was already lying a distant fourth to Red Bull's race winner, Mark Webber, by then.

At that stage, Button was just two places behind in sixth and cruising; it was only a matter of time before he stepped up to join the Stewarts and Hills of this world. Back in the Brawn garage his father, John, was watching with uncontrollable pride. "The last seven or eight laps, we were all crying like little girls," he said. "I'm all washed out at the moment. I've got to accept where [Jenson] is now, up there with all those great names. I haven't got my head round it."

Neither had Button. Having run around like a lunatic hugging anyone in his path for a time after the race, he was finally pounced on by a television crew and asked to report on the state of his emotions. "I'm world champion, baby," he screa! med. "That race deserved it. Twenty-one years ago I jumped into a kart and I loved winning – but I never expected to be world champion."

It will be fascinating to see where he goes from here. Who knows? Perhaps multiple world titles beckon? In this sort of form, with a car to match, he can rule the world. Although he later revealed that he had been racked by anxiety, Button appeared outwardly calm on the grid where he was met by a chorus of boos from the assembled Paulistas who had turned up in their droves to cheer on Barrichello, a man previously derided as a Tortoise in his native town.

Chants of "Rubinho, Rubinho" rained down upon Button, but our man responded coolly with a grin and a wave. In fact Button was inspired from the word go. In a frantic opening lap that saw the retirement of three cars and Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari burst into flames, he made up five places before the introduction of a safety car. When th! at departed on lap five Button was right back on it, passin! g Renaul t's Romain Grosjean and then Williams' Kazuki Nakajima on consecutive laps. Aggressive, full-blooded racing.

Toyota's debutant, Kamui Kobayashi, provided unlikely resistance for 18 laps but he could not hold out forever and yet another brilliant passing manoeuvre on Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi lifted Button yet further up the race order. He was simply irresistible.

In truth Barrichello, who had to beat Button by at least five points to take the fight to Abu Dhabi, was a spent force by the time he was passed by Hamilton after Button's predecessor as champion surged from 17th on the grid to claim the final podium place in a display to make the mouth water in anticipation of 2010.

Barrichello, like Felipe Massa last year, was gracious in defeat. "I'm pleased for Jenson as a friend and as a great champion," he said. "He deserved it."

That he did. Button's "fairytale" season truly ended with a champion's perfo! rmance.

Swedish league review

Djurgarden handed a 2-1 defeat to Allsvenskan at home to Orgryte today despite having both their goalscorers sent off.

Patrik Haginge put the home side in front in the 31st minute, but Alexander Mellqvist levelled eight minutes after the break.

Haginge was dismissed two minutes later to hand Orgryte the initiative, but Hrvoje Milic put Djurgarden back in front with a 60th-minute penalty.

Milic was then sent off in the 62nd minute, but Djurgarden held on desp! ite the two-man disadvantage.

The win moved Djurgarden a point ahead of Hammarby - who slipped to the foot of the table - and level on points with their opponents, who are third bottom.

Fourth-placed Kalmar moved to within three points of Elfsborg in third with a 1-1 draw at Helsingborg.

Ricardo Santos scored in the 30th minute for Kalmar to cancel out Rene Makondele's 10th-minute opener.

Helsingborg moved up to sixth with the point.

VVV Venlo 1-1 NAC Breda

NAC Breda finished with nine men but took a hard-earned Eredivisie point from their meeting with VVV Venlo.

Things were looking ominous when Robbert Schilder was sent off after just 17 minutes, and Frank van Kouwen put VVV ahead seven minutes before the break.

But despite being down a man for so long, NAC kept fighting and got on level terms through Santiago Leonardo in the 68th minute.

Tim Gilissen became the second NAC man to see red seven minutes from full time, but the visitors hun! g on to earn a point.

NAC were quickly on the back foot when Schilder hauled down Ruben Schaken as the last man and was given his marching orders.

VVV looked impressive thereafter, but Patrick Paauwe hit the side-netting after a fine run through the defence.

The goal came in the 38th minute as Van Kouwen drilled a shot home from close range to leave Jelle Ten Rouwelaar with no chance.

But NAC came out for the second half with renewed purpose, and Kees Kwakman headed narrowly over in the 54th minute in a warning shot for the hosts.

At the other end, Sjors Verdellen fired narrowly wide. But it was NAC who would get on the scoresheet in the 68th minute when Leonardo fired home from the edge of the area.

Seven minutes from time, Gilissen hacked down Adil Auassar to earn a red card - but VVV could not make their numerical advantage pay.

NAC stay seventh with the draw, while VVV climb up to 13th.

CAN Cup 2008 Results

20/01/2008---Group----A----24:00----Ghana 2 - 1 Guinea
--------------------------------22:00----Namibia 1 - 5 Morocco


21/01/2008---Group----B----24:00----Nigeria 0 - 1 Ivory Coast
-------------------------------02:30-----Mali 1 - 0 Benin


22/01/2008---Group---C---- 24:00----Egypt 4 -2 Cameroon
-------------------------------02:30----Sudan 0 - 3 Zambia


23/01/2008 ---Group---D--- 24:00----Tunisia 2 - 2 Senegal
-------------------------------02:30----South Africa 1 - 1 Angola


24/01/2008 ---Group---A---24:00----Guinea 3 - 2 Morocco
------------------------------02:30----! Ghana 1 - 0 Namibia


25/01/2008 ---Group---B---24:00----Ivory Coast 4 - 1 Benin
------------------------------02:30----Nigeria 0 - 0 Mali


26/01/2008 ---Group---C---24:00----Cameroon 5 - 1 Zambia
------------------------------02:30----Egypt 3 - 0 Sudan


27/01/2008 ---Group---D---24:00----Senegal 1 - 3 Angola
------------------------------02:30----Tunisia 3 - 1 South Africa


28/01/2008 ---Group---A---24:00----Guinea 1 - 1 Namibia
------------------------------24:00----Ghana 2 - 0 Morocco


29/01/2008---Group---B---24:00----Nigeria ! 2 - 0 Benin
------------------------------24:00---! -Ivory C oast 3 - 0 Mali


30/01/2008 ---Group---C---24:00----Cameroon 3 - 0 Sudan
------------------------------24:00---- Egypt 1 - 1 Zambia


31/01/2007 ---Group---D---24:00----Senegal 1 - 1 South Africa
------------------------------24:00----Tunisia 0 - 0 Angola

De Canio soddisfatto della sosta

di Filippo Capurso
Fonte: uslecce.it

"Questa sosta è stata utile soprattutto perché ci ha permesso di lavorare con maggiore intensità, di completare il recupero di giocatori come Giuliatto e di migliorare la condizione di altri come Corvia e Bergougnoux. Sotto questi profili è stata positiva, sotto altri forse non lo è stata perché la squadra aveva la voglia di un riscatto immediato dopo la sconfitta di Cittadella , e giocare subito dopo questa partita ci avrebbe consentito di ritrovare sub! ito quella rabbia agonistica che comunque ci dovrà sempre accompagnare. Sto cercando di trasmettere alla mia squadra che in campo dobbiamo sempre esprimere maggiore personalità perché il Lecce in serie B è considerata una grande e le squadre che ci affrontano lo fanno con uno spirito di chi vive un momento importante. Un altro aspetto su cui insistere è la continuità; non dovremo avere più queste pause, che hanno caratterizzato questo avvio di stagione. Non ci dovremo innervosire alle prime avversità, avendo una reazione sconsiderata; può succedere di andare sotto, ma dovremo continuare a fare il nostro gioco, con una reazione positiva. Noi abbiamo fiducia nelle nostre possibilità, in questo anno abbiamo cambiato molto e per questo abbiamo bisogno di tempo per diventare una squadra e fortificare una certa mentalità; questa non vuole essere una scusante, ma tocca solamente a noi cercare di porre rimedio a queste situazioni. 11 gol subiti in 8 gare? Questo è un aspetto su cui! migliorare; dobbiamo essere bravi a restringere gli spazi nel! la fase difensiva. Abbiamo dei calciatori che per caratteristiche soffrono gli avversari quando gli si concede campo e per questo dobbiamo rimanere corti restringendo gli spazi."

Allenamento Pomeridiano per i Rossoneri

di Gianluca Tancini

fonte:Ac Milan

Allenamento pomeridiano per gli uomini di Leonardo in vista della partita di domenica sera contro la Roma a San Siro.
Allenamento iniziato alle ore 16:30 e concluso alle 18:11,primi minuti dedicato al riscaldamento con una partitella con le mani,mezz'ora dopo esercitazione tecniche e azioni ! offensive che dovevano partire dalla metà campo proseguita poi con i cross e i tiri in porta.
Poi altre serie di partitelle 6 contro 6 da sette minuti ciascuna si e trattato di un mini torneo con 4 squadre impegnate contemporaneamente sulle 2 metà campo.
Abbiati e Di Gennaro hanno lavorato in palestra, Di Gennaro ha ripreso a correre oggi.
Domani doppia seduta mattutina e pomeridiana

Frosinone, Jefferson e Cordos in gruppo

di Andrea Ranaldo
Fonte: Frosinonecalcio.com

Singola seduta di lavoro pomeridiana per i giallazzurri attesi sabato prossimo dalla delicatissima gara a domicilio del Modena di Apolloni. Dalle 15:30 e presso lo stadio Casaleno, Sicignano e soci hanno sostenuto un allenamento basato essenzialmente sull'aspetto tecnico tattico. Carichi meno pesanti per il gruppo che ha sostenuto la gara di lunedì mentre il resto del gruppo ha lavorato in maniera più cospicua. Oltre a Biso si è unito in gruppo anche Jeff! erson, fermato nei giorni scorsi da un fastidio muscolare. È tornato a disposizione anche Cordos, al rientro dall'esperienza in under 21. Il difensore rumeno ha comunque svolto un piano di lavoro differenziato. Assente l'infortunato Caremi e Gucher che si unirà alla squadra venerdì raggiungendo i compagni direttamente nel ritiro di Modena a causa degli impegni con la nazionale under 20 austriaca. L'allenamento è terminato con una partitella a margini ridotti alla quale hanno preso parte tutti.

Domani mattina ultima seduta di lavoro allo stadio Casaleno mentre nel primo pomeriggio si partirà alla volta di Modena.

LUNGA SEDUTA AL ROCCO ANCHE PER STUDIARE GLI AVVERSARI

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: forum triestina

LUNGA SEDUTA AL ROCCO ANCHE PER STUDIARE GLI AVVERSARI

Allenamento-maratona per gli alabardati

TRIESTE Il lunghissimo pomeriggio alabardato di ieri, è forse il segnale più eloquente dell'intensità con la quale Mario Somma sta cercando di dare la sua impronta alla Triestina in vista del suo debutto ufficiale sulla panchina alabardata, che avverrà domani al Rocco contro il Gallipoli (inizio ore 15.30). Ieri gli alabardati alle ore 15 si sono recati ne! lla sede al terzo piano del Rocco, e lì hanno visionato per un'ora e trequarti filmati sugli avversari del Gallipoli che il tecnico, arrivato allo stadio già al mattino, aveva studiato e selezionato.Alle 16.50 Godeas e soci sono scesi sul terreno di gioco.Da lì il via a una lunga seduta di minuziosa cura per la tattica, seguita da una parte atletica e infine da una partitella a tutto campo.Triplice fischio alle 18.36, quando sul «Rocco» era già calato il buio e non si vedeva più nulla.«Nei primi giorni abbiamo lavorato sulle gambe - ha spiegato Somma - adesso stiamo lavorando soprattutto sull'attenzione. Forse effettivamente oggi (ieri, ndr) ho esagerato, ma si tratta solo di un episodio e non si ripeterà».In ogni caso, il nuovo tecnico alabardato traccia un bilancio positivo della prima settimana di lavoro: «Sì, la mia sensazione è molto positiva, perché i ragazzi hanno dimostrato uno spirito propositivo che fa loro onore. Ora però ci vogliono i risultati utili: non uno so! lo, ma tanti, come del resto i ragazzi meritano. Quanto credo ! di aver trasmesso alla squadra in questi giorni? Abbastanza di quello che voglio, siamo sulla strada giusta perché li ho visti sempre attenti. E' vero, ho trasmesso sul campo tantissime nozioni, ma ho preferito in questo momento lavorare proprio sulla quantità, in modo che almeno qualcosa resti». Riguardo alla formazione anti-Gallipoli, vedremo in campo un 4-2-3-1 sul quale, per quanto visto in allenamento, permane un solo dubbio: a giocarsi i due posti da esterno sono infatti in tre: Tabbiani, Siligardi e Sedivec. Per il resto davanti ad Agazzi vedremo Cottafava e Scurto in mezzo con Nef e Sabato sulle fasce. Davanti alla difesa la coppia Princivalli-Cossu, con Volpe posizionato dietro a Godeas. Indisponibili lo squalificato Testini e gli infortunati Pani e Gissi.Domani arbitrerà Nasca di Bari, il cui unico precedente con l'Alabarda è la recente batosta subita a Cesena per 4-1.

IMPRESA DEI RAGAZZI DI DANELUTTI

Di Pasquale Campanella
Fonte: forum triestina

La Primavera passa a Brescia

Netto 3-O grazie a una doppietta di Lionetti e a un gol di Buonocore

TRIESTE La Triestina Primavera rompe il ghiaccio e mette in cassaforte la prima vittoria stagionale. Dopo due sconfitte e un pareggio, la squadra di Sandro Danelutti espugna il campo del Brescia per 3-0, facendo leva sulla doppietta del capitano triestino Lionetti e sull'acuto del! rientrante napoletano Buonocore oltre che sull'esperienza del terzino della prima squadra D'Ambrosio. Il centravanti giuliano sblocca la situazione al 15', sfruttando a dovere per la prima volta in questa annata uno schema studiato su misura per lui. Punizione di De Los Santos e il numero 9 va a colpire di testa in anticipo, prendendo il tempo a tutti. Il raddoppio è frutto di un'azione similare (31' st), solo che nella circostanza il primo tentativo viene rimpallato e la sfera resta là. Lionetti si fionda nuovamente sul pallone e lo insacca. Quindi Buonocore chiude i conti al 41'. Anche in questo caso il primo tiro viene respinto il neo entrato firma il suo gol con un ribattino di testa. "Non è stata una partita eccelsa, ma abbiamo capitalizzato le occasioni avute – afferma il tecnico Sandro Danelutti – Siamo stati fortunati alla fine del primo tempo, quando abbiamo rischiato in una occasione, e poi è filato tutto dritto. Comunque sono soddisfatto. Ci sono stati dei migli! oramenti sul piano agonistico. Abbiamo fatto il nostro e abbia! mo lotta to»

Contro il Bari , Marcolini non ha acceso la luce

di Tiziana Garofalo

Contro il Cagliari è stato l'umo in più. Contro il Bari è stato un uomo in meno. Marcolini (nella foto, dopo la doppietta al Cagliari, fonte chievoverona.it), non ha acceso la sua prestazione contro gli uomini di Ventura ed il gioco del suo Chievo ne ha risentito. La sua manovra è stata solo in poche occasioni fluida e capace di creare problemi al centrocampo e difesa avversaria. Insomma tutto il contrario di quanto aveva fatto vedere nella gara contro i sardi, gara in cui fu addirittura autore di una doppietta prelibata.

La sua giornata no è racchiusa nel suo volto immerso nella magliatta dopo un passaggio sbagliato, perchè lui Marcolini, è un giocatore intelligente capace di rendersi conto che ieri, contro il Bari non è proprio stata la sua giornata. Il centrocampista però potrà rifarsi subito, già dalla sfida contro il Milan. Una sfida solo sulla carta "impossibile".

#051 Convocazioni del 10 -11 Febbraio

Amichevoli internazionale
Italia - Brasile
Radiocronaca: Riccardo Cucchi
Bordocampo: Francesco Repice

Italia U21 - Svezia U21
Radiocronaca: Giuseppe Bisantis
Bordocampo: Ugo Russo

#145 Intervista a Riccardo Cucchi

La miglior risposta alla dittatura televisiva
E la radio fa vedere i risultati d'ascolto

Ancora oggi milioni di italiani si sintonizzano su "Tutto il calcio minuto per Minuto", alla faccia del dirigente Sky che lo voleva confinato agli automobilisti. "Molti degli ascoltatori sono giovani" spiega il responsabile Cucchi "poiché trasmettiamo tutto, pure le emozioni"

di Livio Balestri (tratto dall' ultimo numero del Guerin Sportivo)

Tum-tum-tum-tum-tututum-tutum. Se "A taste of Honey" riecheggia non solo dalle radio pochi minuti prima dell' inizio delle partite, ma pure da molti cellulari (sono una delle suonerie più diffuse), è segno che "Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto" è ancora vi! vo e lotta insieme a noi. Alla faccia di quel dirigente Sky, che anni fa, annunciò sprezzante: "D'ora in poi il calcio alla radio servirà solo per gli automobilisti in viaggio". Invece "Tutto il calcio" è uno splendido 50enne (l'anniversario sarà il 10 gennaio 2010, ma le celebrazioni sono già iniziate con una serie di registrazioni d'epoca riproposte ogni giovedì in "Zona Cesarini" su Radiouno).
"Non ci sentiamo figli di un dio minore", neanche nell'epoca del calcio spezzatino, e di tutte le partite in diretta tv" dice Riccardo Cucchi, voce principale della trasmissione e capo dello sport di Radio Rai.
Inutile negare però che è tutto cambiato rispetto a quando eravate l'unico modo per sapere le variazioni di risultati, facendo 12-13 milioni di ascoltatori
Cucchi: Quanto ad ascolti, resistiamo comunque su svariati milioni. Ma è cambiato tutto, appunto, in primis l'Italia. E naturalmente anche il calcio.
E questo ha fatto cambiare anche voi?Cucchi: Anzitutto la struttura della trasmissione. Dal 1960 fino a quasi la fine degli anni Ottanta "Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto" copriva solo i secondi tempi: a inizio trasmissione Bortoluzzi si collegava coi vari campi e chiedeva i risultati dei primi 45'. Una regola voluta dalla Lega, terrorizzata che la gente potesse non andare più allo stadio. Pensi lei la differenza coi tempi attuali, in cui tutto è in tv.
Siete cambiati anche nella narrazione.
Cucchi: Una volta c'era Sandro Ciotti ed Enrico Ameri, che si integravano perfettamente con ironia, lettura della partita e ritmo, adesso ci sono tanti bravissimi colleghim ma nessuno di noi all' altezza dei due giganti. Siamo costretti ad essere più veloci, più ritmati, perché il calcio è più veloce. Negli Anni 60 e 70 i campioni non erano pressati in mezzo al campo, avevano tempo di ragionare e rifiatare. E noi radiocronisti con loro. Poi c'è il problema moviola. Una! volta c'era molta meno attenzione ai singoli episodi, ci si poteva basare su impressioni, oggi bisogna provare a decodificare immediatamente le situazioni in area, perché la tv mostrerà subito mille replay.
Ecco, la tv. Quanto pesa sul vostro lavoro?
Cucchi: Parecchio, anche se non si può certo pensare che siamo in concorrenza con Sky o la Rai versione televisivia. Non avere le immagini pesa, dobbiamo puntare su altre cose, come l'emozione.
Ma poi c'è il problema del dopo-partita. Tra la D'Amico, Varriale, cronisti delle tv locali e dei giornali, voi alla radio siete messi in coda per le interviste.
Cucchi: La priorità è data a chi investe di più e quindi c'è prima Sky. Ma devo dire che arrivare dopo gli altri ha anche dei vantaggi. Gli allenatori hanno già sfogato l'adrenalina davanti alle telecamere e con non sono più pacati e riflessivi, incoraggiati in questo anche dal! clima amichevole e posato. Ricordo con piacere un Mourinho ch! e alla p rima partita a San Siro, col Catania, prima fece fuoco e fiamme in tv, polemizzando con tutti, poi venne con noi, si rilassò e ne venne fuori una memorabile chiacchierata molto umana e profonda.
Oltre a quelli che vanno in auto, chi altro vi ascolta?
Cucchi: Chi va in gita domenicale con le famiglie. E poi i non vedenti, per cui siamo l'unico modo per conoscere il calcio. Ma non solo. Inoltre siamo restati gli unici a dare il calcio in diretta gratis. Siamo sicuri che tutti si possono permettere gli abbonamenti alla tv satellitare, soprattutto in questo periodo?Non siamo una trasmissione per gente cresciuta negli Anni 60,70 e 80 ma anche per ragazzi. Per festeggiare il nostro mezzo secolo, abbiamo chiesto agli ascoltatori a "Zona Cesarini" di raccontarci episodi della propria vita legati, in qualche modo, a noi. Non ha idea di quanti siano i 20-25enni Ogni giorno ricevo curricula da giovani che aspirano a fare il radiocronis! ta di "Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto". Continuiamo ad avere fascino, a piacere.
Si è chiesto perché?
Cucchi: In molti messaggi ricorre una frase: "La radio è più credibile". Può sembrare un paradosso. E invece è proprio perché non abbiamo le immagini dobbiamo essere onesti, nel racconto, raccontare solo quello che vediamo senza trucchi e senza inganni. E questo la gente riesce a percepirlo.

Un ringraziamento al lettore LELE per il consiglio