Live Sports Fair,

Pakistan Vs England 2nd T20 Match Watch Live

2010-02-20T05:34:00.000-08:00

Pak vs Eng T20 Live: Pakistan will be playing England in the First T20 at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium.

Match is scheduled to start at 14:00 GMT, 19:30 IST and will be telecast live on Ten Sports.

UPDATE: Pakistan has won the toss and chose to bat in first T-20 against England.

Pakistan: Shoaib Malik(c), Abdul Razzaq, Fawad Alam, Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Sarfraz Ahmed(W/k), Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Arafat Shahid Affridi

England: PD Collingwood(c), TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, AN Cook, JL Denly, EJG Morgan, KP Pietersen, LE Plunkett, MJ Prior(w/k), A Shahzad, RJ Sidebottom, GP Swann, JC Tredwell, IJL Trott, LJ Wright

Live Sports News

2010-02-20T03:51:00.000-08:00

Pakistan Vs England T20 Watch Online

2010-02-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

Pak vs Eng T20 Live: Pakistan will be playing England in the First T20 at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium.

Match is scheduled to start at 14:00 GMT, 19:30 IST and will be telecast live on Ten Sports.

UPDATE: Pakistan has won the toss and chose to bat in first T-20 against England.

England: PD Collingwood(c), TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, AN Cook, JL Denly, EJG Morgan, KP Pietersen, LE Plunkett, MJ Prior(w/k), A Shahzad, RJ Sidebottom, GP Swann, JC Tredwell, IJL Trott, LJ Wright

1st Test India vs South Africa Watch Live

2010-02-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

South Africa Tour of India 2009/10, 1st Test India vs South Africa Live Cricket Streaming. Match scheduled to played at Nagpur on 06-10 February 2010.

India vs South Africa Live Cricket Video

Watch Live Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling : Capitala World Tennis Championship

2010-01-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling : Capitala World Tennis Championship

Roger Federer is starting is Atp 2010 Season today with the Semi Final match of Capitala World Tennis Championship.Roger Federer who ended the last year has number one will play Robin Soderling whom he defeated in the finals of French Open.

Streaming Will Update At 6:00 EST AM or 3:00 PM Local Time.

Watch WWE Monday Night Raw Live Streaming

2009-12-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

Watch WWE Monday Night Raw Live Streaming

Bono says Ireland should be in the World Cup

2009-12-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Hey, have you been wondering what U2 lead singer and professional world saver Bono thinks about the Thierry Henry handball debacle that eliminated Ireland from qualifying for the World Cup? Don’t bother answering that because you’re going to find out anyway.
When asked whether Ireland should be reinstated in the tournament during an interview with the BBC, Bono said:

“Yes, I think so. Absolutely.
“I think it would be a really noble thing of FIFA to do.
“I think it’s okay for FIFA to say ‘Look things are changing, that game is an affront to FIFA’s concept of fairness’ and I think there’s smart people in FIFA who will see that this is an opportunity. It’s not a huge giant bureaucracy that can’t be turned around.
“It can turn around and they should have video from now on and they should allow Ireland be at the cup.”

Not a huge giant bureaucracy? Oh, Bono. You’re funny.
Elsewhere, FIFA officially declared that it’s “impossible” for Ireland to appear at the World Cup in South Africa. So, yeah, that didn’t really work.
By the way, that’s Bono tying Chelsea striker Didier Drogba’s shoe at an event announcing Nike’s partnership with the (RED) charity. I don’t know why he’s doing that, either.

South Africa may rest paceman Dale Steyn for final ODI

2009-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

South Africa may decide not to risk premier fast bowler Dale Steyn for the final match of the one-day series against England in Durban on Friday.

The home side need a win to square the series but Steyn has a hamstring injury and missed Sunday’s seven-wicket loss.

An MRI scan showed only a minor grade one tear but he is likely to be rested ahead of the first Test on 16 December.

“For us the priority is the Tests and we’d never compromise Dale’s chances for that,” coach Mickey Arthur said.

The South Africans are already without key all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who has had an injection in his injured rib and is rated only 50-50 to be fit for the opening Test at Centurion.

Arthur brought his players back into the nets a day earlier than originally scheduled after they were bowled out for 119 on Sunday, their lowest ever one-day international total on home soil.

“I didn’t think we could justify two days off after a performance like that,” he said.

“The home truths have been spoken, and now it is a matter of building the team up to try to square the series.

“But we’re certainly not going to panic. We think we’ve got the best players here and we’re confident we can bounce back.”

One man under some scrutiny is the usually prolific JP Duminy who has made 53 runs in the first three games, 41 of those in the opening match.

Both of the left-hander’s most recent dismissals have come from short deliveries but Arthur insisted there was no problem with bouncers.

“Australia tried it as well when they came back to South Africa (earlier this year when South Africa won 3-2 and Duminy averaged 25), and he overcame that and played well.

“I don’t think it’s the short ball that generally troubles him – I think it’s scoring off it.

“He’ll be fine. He just needs one knock – and he’ll be away. He’s genuine quality, we see a huge future with him.”

Both of the left-hander’s most recent dismissals have come from short deliveries but Arthur insisted there was no problem with bouncers.

England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, EJG Morgan, PD Collingwood, MJ Prior (wkt), LJ Wright, TT Bresnan, AU Rashid, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, GP Swann, SI Mahmood, JC Tredwell.

South Africa (from): GC Smith (captain), HH Gibbs, HM Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, AN Petersen, MV Boucher (wkt), R McLaren, RE van der Merwe, WD Parnell, DW Steyn, CK Langeveldt, JA Morkel, M Morkel.

Serena Williams earns fine, probation for U.S. Open outburst

2009-12-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

Serena Williams was fined a record amount for her infamous U.S. Open tirade three months ago and has been placed on an unprecedented two-year probationary period at Grand Slam events. She will have to pay an $82,500 fine and avoid a “major offense” at the next eight major events or the fine would increase to $175,000 and she would be barred from the following U.S. Open. Though it seems harsh (and the headlines play up the severity of the rebuke), the punishment isn’t nearly as bad as it seems.
Serena, of course, screamed at a lineswoman during a semifinal match against Kim Clijsters and was docked a penalty point which ended up giving her opponent the match. Since then, the worry in her camp was that she would be suspended for one, or multiple, Grand Slam events. She avoided that punishment and won’t earn a tournament ban unless she has a similar incident over the next two years. Given the fact that Serena’s outburst was more the exception than the rule (translation: she’s not John McEnroe), it seems likely she’ll avoid further sanction.
As for the fine, $82,500 is a big number, but Serena routinely makes three times as much for just showing up at overseas events. Last year she signed a $2 million endorsement deal with Hewlett Packard, this year she became the face of Tampax. And we haven’t even mentioned her long-time deal with Nike. In 2008, Forbes said Serena made $14 million through prize money, appearance fees and endorsements. For her, having to cut a check for $82,500 is more an annoyance than anything.
The biggest question is why it took so long to make the decision about Serena’s punishment? As we wrote at the beginning of the month, there wasn’t much investigating to do here. This wasn’t the Warren Commission. The Grand Slam officials needed to speak to Serena, the lineswoman, the chair umpire and, perhaps, any other U.S. Open officials within earshot. Stringing Serena along for three months was unfair and unnecessarily kept the story in the spotlight for longer than necessary. There was no reason this couldn’t have been figured out in late-September. (Plus releasing the news of a Monday morning after a holiday weekend only intensified the interest. Learn from politicians and dump the news on a Saturday morning).
This was an expected punishment that fits the crime. It’s just too bad it took so long to figure out.

Euro Footballer of the Year : Lionel Messi

2009-12-03T19:23:00.001-08:00

As you’ve probably heard by now, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has won the 2009 Ballon d’Or for being the European Footballer of the Year. Not only is he the first Argentinean to win the prestigious award (up until 1995 only European footballers playing for European clubs were eligible, thus explaining why Diego Maradona never won in his day), but he also won it by a record margin — scoring a near perfect 473 out of 480 possible points in the voting, 240 more than 2008 Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
So for those of you wondering just what the diminutive maestro did to deserve such an honor, or anyone craving another taste of the magic, here’s a video that gives a small sample of why this was such an easy decision

The 30-year-old Frenchwoman is a former No. 1 player who finished this season at No. 21. “I don’t want to train anymore,” Mauresmo said after sheddin

2009-12-03T19:19:00.001-08:00

His statement Wednesday follows a cover story in Us Weekly magazine that reports a Los Angeles cocktail waitress claims she had a 31-month affair with the world’s No. 1 golfer.

“I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves,” Woods said on his Web site. “I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”
Woods did not offer details of any alleged relationship.

“I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart,” he said.

“I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves,” Woods said. “For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.”
The cocktail waitress, Jaimee Grubbs, told the magazine she met Woods at a Las Vegas nightclub the week after the 2007 Masters—two months before Woods’ wife, Elin, gave birth to their first child. Grubbs claims to have proof in 300 text messages.

About three hours before Woods’ statement, the magazine published what it said was a voicemail—provided by Grubbs—that Woods left on her phone on Nov. 24, three days before his middle-of-the-night car crash outside his home in Florida.

Woods has been subjected to more media headlines during the last week than when he first won the Masters in 1997 and set off the first wave of Tigermania. He has spoken only three times through his Web site, although this was his longest posting.

“Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means,” Woods said. “For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives.”

And he continued to say accounts that physical violence played a role in his Friday morning car crash were “utterly false and malicious.”

“Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect,” he wrote.

His statement came one day after the Florida Highway Patrol closed its investigation into the accident—without Woods ever speaking to state troopers. He was charged with careless driving, which carries a $164 fine and four points on his driving record.

The story soon shifted from a patrol investigation to sordid allegations into his personal life.

In the voicemail released by the magazine, a man says to Grubbs:

“Hey, it’s, uh, it’s Tiger. I need you to do me a huge favor. Um, can you please, uh, take your name off your phone. My wife went through my phone. And, uh, may be calling you. If you can, please take your name off that and, um, and what do you call it just have it as a number on the voicemail, just have it as your telephone number. That’s it, OK. You gotta do this for me. Huge. Quickly. All right. Bye.”

The Associated Press could not confirm Woods was the caller.

Former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo retires From Tennis

2009-12-03T19:11:00.001-08:00

The 30-year-old Frenchwoman is a former No. 1 player who finished this season at No. 21.

“I don’t want to train anymore,” Mauresmo said after shedding tears about the decision. “I had to make a decision, which became evident in the last few months and weeks. When you grew older, it’s more difficult to stay at the top.”
Mauresmo, who won both of her Grand Slam titles in 2006, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, said she was happy to leave on a good note after winning her 25th singles title—her first in almost two years—in Paris this season. She also had seven wins over Top 10 players in her final year.

“It’s a bit sad, but this is the right decision,” Mauresmo said. “I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court.”

Mauresmo, who was the No. 1 in 2004, played her last match in the second round of this year’s U.S. Open, losing to Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 6-4, 6-0. She pulled out of her last two tournaments of the year.

“It became very hard in buildup to the U.S. Open,” Mauresmo said. “If I were able to enter the court, play and shine, of course I could continue, but to achieve this you need to put in such hard work. And I’m not capable of that.”

Mauresmo said she has no regrets and feels proud when she looks back at a career that started in 1993.

“I dreamt of this career, I dreamt of winning a Grand Slam title,” she said. “I lifted trophies in every city in the world and I lived 10 magical and unbelievable years.”

Mauresmo, who says she decided to play tennis after watching Yannick Noah win the 1983 French Open, became the first player from France—male or female— to reach the No. 1 spot on Sept. 13, 2004. She held it for five weeks and recaptured it on March 20, 2006, holding it for the majority of that year until falling from the top on Nov. 12. In total, she spent 39 weeks at No. 1.

But she was never able to emulate Noah’s feat of winning on the clay at Roland Garros, failing to go beyond the quarterfinals at the Grand Slam tournament in Paris, where she struggled to withstand the pressure in front of her home crowd.

Mauresmo also won the Fed Cup with France in 2003 and the WTA Tour championship in 2005. She won the Olympic silver medal in Athens in 2004.

She had her best season in 2006, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon with victories over Justine Henin in the finals.

“Amelie will go down in history as one of the best players of her generation and a terrific ambassador for women’s tennis,” WTA Tour chairman Stacey Allaster said. “Amelie is an extraordinary player, one of the nicest and friendliest personalities on Tour, and a true champion both in tennis and in life.”

Asked about a possible comeback, Mauresmo said her decision was definitive.

“Even if I’ve learned to never say never,” the Frenchwoman said. “The players you are thinking about stopped earlier than me before coming back.”

Former No. 1 Henin confirmed in October she’ll make her return to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International—two weeks before the Australian Open. Kim Clijsters won the U.S. Open in September after coming back from two years in retirement.

Fulham Secures 1-0 Vicotory Over CSKA Sofia

2009-12-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Zoltan Gera’s powerful first-half header proved decisive as Fulham kept alive their Europa League hopes with a nervy victory over CSKA Sofia.
Todor Timonov fired against the bar for CSKA before Danny Murphy put a penalty over after Ivan Ivanov’s foul on Gera.
The Hungarian nodded Fulham ahead from Bjorn Helge Riise’s cross but a number of chances were missed to make it two.
And the hosts were almost punished late on when Damien Duff was forced to clear a Kosta Yanev strike off the line.
Fulham’s win, allied to Roma’s victory at home to Basle, means Roy Hodgson’s men stay third in Group E – a point adrift of Basle and two behind Roma.
The final round of matches on 16 December sees the Cottagers travel to Basle and CSKA host Roma, with the top two teams progressing to the last 32.
Injury, suspension and ineligibility meant Fulham were forced to make six changes from the side which started against Bolton on Saturday.
But there was no sign of unfamiliarity as the hosts got off to a pulsating start, flooding forward in numbers and exhibiting a one-touch pass-and-move approach that CSKA struggled to contain.
With full-backs John Paintsil and Stephen Kelly marauding upfield, and Simon Davies and Gera pushing on to support lone-striker Bobby Zamora, Fulham were not short of attacking options and Murphy ensured a steady supply of pinpoint passes.
After CSKA goalkeeper Zdravko Chavdarov reacted well to deny Zamora and Davies, Timonov rattled the woodwork with a venomous left-footed drive – but an opener for the visitors would have come totally against the run of play.
Fulham, full of craft and cohesion, continued to push for a breakthrough and should have had their reward when Gera’s surge into the box was ended by Ivanov’s hopeless tackle.
Murphy appeared full of confidence as he stepped up but then blasted his spot-kick horribly high.
But CSKA, seemingly low on confidence despite the backing of a large and highly-vocal section of the crowd, failed to make Fulham pay.
And, moments after Paintsil saw a fizzing effort well-saved, Riise stood up an inviting cross from the right which Vidanov and Ivanov failed to deal with, allowing Gera to race through and head powerfully past Chavdarov.
Zamora ought to have doubled the lead when he volleyed over and another gilt-edged chance went begging as Davies dragged wide from eight yards out.
CSKA came out for the second half with a spring in their step and it looked as though Fulham might have been made to regret their profligacy.
Spas Delev played Todor Yanchev through on goal, only for Kelly to arrive with a last-ditch challenge, before Delev shinned the ball wide following Yordan Minev’s right-wing cross.
Hodgson had replaced Brede Hangeland with Aaron Hughes at half-time and Fulham’s new centre-half pairing of Hughes and Chris Smalling struggled to gel.
They lacked protection and, with Fulham’s midfield now relinquishing possession all too easily, faced wave after wave of CSKA pressure late on.
The visitors’ big chance came on 81 minutes when Yanev drilled in a goal-bound effort from 25-yards, but Duff got down to repel it off the line with his knee.
Fulham were resorting to counter-attack football but goalscoring opportunities were few and far between and fatigue began to set in.
Delev zipped a shot just over but, despite spending the last quarter firmly on the back foot, Fulham held on for a vital victory.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
“All credit to CSKA, they had nothing to lose in the last 20 minutes and brought talented players on. When you make changes it makes it difficult for players.
“It was foolish to miss a penalty but there were other missed chances and the game could have been dead and buried.
“I’m very pleased that we showed the strength of character to stand up to that.”
CSKA Sofia coach Luboslav Penev on missing the first-half:
“I arrived 15 minutes before half-time and remained in the tunnel until the break. The most important thing is that I arrived during the game and was close to my assistants and my team.
“I was told about the first 30 minutes, they were fast forgotten and we outplayed Fulham in the second half. This is how I would like my team to play always.
“We deserved a goal and at least a point after creating five or six opportunities. Maybe we should have had a penalty too.”

ATP World Tour Finals London Live Streaming

2009-11-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

ATP World Tour Finals London Live Streaming Andy Murrray vs Delpotro : Roger Federer
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Europe rocked by fresh match-fixing scandal

2009-11-21T08:54:00.001-08:00

BOCHUM : Around 200 football matches in nine European countries including at least three Champions League games are implicated in a new match-fixing scandal, German prosecutors said on Friday.

UEFA expert Peter Limacher told a press conference in Germany that the revelations represented "clearly" the worst ever match-fixing scandal in European football.

The suspect matches took place in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Austria, netting criminals several million euros (dollars) in betting profits, prosecutors believe.

They include 12 matches this season from the Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup, one qualifying game for the under-21 European championship and four from the German second division.

Police carried out around 50 raids on Thursday in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Austria, arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland. More than a million euros in cash and property were seized.

A network of some 200 people is suspected of influencing matches and placing bets on them with bookmakers in Europe and Asia. Prosecutors have reason to believe that players, coaches, referees and officials were offered bribes.

Two of those arrested in Thursday included two Croatian brothers living in Berlin, Ante and Milan Sapina, who were at the centre of a match-fixing scandal that rocked Germany in 2004, newspapers said.

Harald Stenger, a spokesman for the German Football Federation (DFB), said on Thursday: "As far as the DFB knows, no German matches are affected."

But prosecutors are scrutinising 32 matches in Germany, including two in the second division, three in the third, 23 games in regional leagues and two under-19 clashes.

German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that one of the games being investigates was a friendly between German side SSV Ulm against Fenerbahce Istanbul in July.

The Turkish side won 5-0, and investigators suspect that "certain currently unidentified SSV Ulm players" received more than 10,000 euros (14,900 dollars) each to throw the game, the paper said.

Ulm's manager Markus Loesch told Bild. "Looking at how the game panned out, I can't see how it (throwing the game) could have happened," Loesch said.

The team's goalkeeper Holger Betz agreed: "At the beginning we had two good chances. After the first goal, it was all over. We could have lost by an even greater margin."

Reports also said that the ring was believed to have placed enormous bets with Asian bookmakers, where limits on the sums that punters can gamble as as much as 30,000 euros (45,000 dollars), much higher than in Europe.

The 2004 German scandal saw referee Robert Hoyzer sentenced to two years and five months behind bars after admitting receiving almost 70,000 euros (104,000 dollars) and a plasma television from a Croatian mafia ring to throw games.

The matches concerned were mainly in the German second and third division, but a German Cup match between first division SV Hamburg and third division Paderborn and a first division match in Turkey were also affected.

Hoyzer was released after serving half of his sentence. Ante Sapina was jailed for two years and 11 months, while his brother Milan escaped with a suspended sentence.

Injured Beckham vows to play MLS Cup final

2009-11-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

SEATTLE : England midfielder David Beckham has a bone bruise in his right ankle, but he still expects to play for his US club Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer championship match Sunday.

Beckham said Friday he will use a pain-killing injection as needed in the ankle to be ready for Sunday's match against Real Salt Lake on the artificial pitch at Seattle's Qwest Field.

"You've got to be kind of careful with it not to get any kicks on it. So it's definitely been frustrating, but I'm sure it will be fine for Sunday. Definitely be fine for Sunday," Beckham said.

"It's just one of those things that you just have to get through. After five or 10 minutes of the game I'm sure I'll forget about it."

Beckham, who has won multiple English Premiership titles with Manchester United and a Spanish League title with Real Madrid, will be playing for the MLS championship for the first time with the Galaxy.

Beckham, speaking to reporters after the team trained on Friday, also said he thinks he has another few years of playing left in him and reiterated his plans to return to Los Angeles after next year's World Cup, in which he hopes to play for England.

"I'd like to say I've got a good two or three, maybe four years left in me," Beckham said. "Have to wait and see and take it week by week, month by month and year by year, especially being 34 years old. ... But I feel good and I feel really fit. I'm playing a lot of soccer and I'm enjoying it."

He is due to go back to AC Milan on loan after the MLS season, and has said he hopes playing in Europe will boost his chances of making England's 2010 World Cup squad.

"I'll obviously, hopefully be involved in the World Cup and then I'll return for the rest of the season," Beckham said.

Europe stunned by match-rigging bombshell

2009-11-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

European football was reeling on Saturday from what one UEFA official called the continent's worst ever match-fixing scandal, with 200 games under suspicion of having been rigged in nine countries.

A 200-strong band operating across Europe is suspected of swaying matches in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Austria, prosecutors in Germany said on Friday.

By bribing players, coaches, referees and officials to influence matches, the gang is thought to have earned as much as 10 million euros (15 million dollars) in huge bets with bookmakers in Europe and Asia, primarily in China.

"But this is just the tip of the iceberg," investigating prosecutor Andreas Bachmann said.

"UEFA will be demanding the harshest of sanctions ... for any individuals, clubs or officials who are implicated in this malpractice," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The games include three Champions League ties, 12 matches in the Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup, one qualifying game for the under-21 European championship. All took place this season.

UEFA said it would give details of the matches at a later stage, but the 15 at European level involved early qualifying round games, while the rest were under the jurisdictions of national football associations.

It said that the list included 40 matches that UEFA had previously said were under suspicion.

"Without doubt this is the biggest scam there has ever been in European football," UEFA's match-fixing specialist Peter Limacher said in Germany, where the probe was organised.

"We are deeply shocked by the scale of match-fixing through international gangs. We now have to do everything possible to ensure that referees, players and officials implicated face justice," Limacher told reporters.

Around 300 police carried out around 50 raids on Thursday in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Austria, arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland. More than a million euros in cash and property were seized.

Two of those arrested in Thursday included two Croatian brothers living in Berlin, Ante and Milan Sapina, who were at the centre of a match-fixing scandal that rocked Germany in 2004, newspapers said.

Investigators are also looking at 32 matches in Germany, including four in the second division, three in the third, 23 games in regional leagues and two under-19 clashes.

Elsewhere, 29 matches in Turkey from the first division downwards, 14 in Croatia's first division, 13 in Hungary's first division, eight in Bosnia-Hercegovina's top flight and 11 in Austria's first and second leagues.

In Slovenia, seven games in the first division have raised suspicions, as have 22 league games in the Swiss second division and six friendlies, plus 17 in Belgium's second division, prosecutors said.

They warned that the list could get longer.

The German scandal saw referee Robert Hoyzer jailed in 2005 after admitting receiving almost 70,000 euros (104,000 dollars) and a plasma television from the Croatian brothers to throw games.

The worst European match-fixing scandal to date was the Calciopoli affair in 2006 involving five Serie A clubs, referees and high-ranked Italian football federation (FIGC) officials.

It resulted in heavy punishments for top-flight clubs including Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina, with Juventus stripped of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 league titles.

PCB allows Razzaq to play IPL

2009-11-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

KARACHI : Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt on Saturday said that PCB has allowed Abdul Razzaq to play Indian Premier League (IPL), Aaj News reported.

Talking with Aaj News, PCB Chairman said that he has singed Abdul Razzaq’s IPL NOC.

Umer Gul, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanveer have also contacted PCB for playing IPL, he stated.

He said that IPL Chairman Lalat Modi has also expressed hope that Pakistani players would participate in the IPL next year.

Regarding Younus Khan, he said that Younus is a great player and I personally wish he lead the team against Australia but the final decision will be made by the selection committee in this regard.

Gaddafi stadium's 50th muffled by security fears

2009-11-21T08:41:00.001-08:00

LAHORE : Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday celebrated 50 years as the home of Pakistan cricket despite questions remaining over its viability to host international action stalled over security fears.

Fifty years ago on Saturday the ground hosted its first Test between Pakistan and Australia and it has since been the headquarters of Pakistan cricket, housing the offices of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

For Gaddafi Stadium groundsman Haji Bashir the half-century is significant despite the fact that the stadium is deprived of international cricket.

"Celebrating 50 years of the Gaddafi Stadium is special for Pakistan cricket and for me," said Bahsir, who came here as assistant groundsman for the first Test in 1959, when it was known as Lahore Stadium.

During his 50 years Bashir's highlights include numerous Tests, one-day matches and Twenty20 internationals -- but he also remembers the dark moments.

"The attacks were horrifying and deprived us of cricket but I am sure this historic ground and our beloved country will host international matches very soon," said the 68-year-old.

The first Test at the Stadium wasn't particularly auspicious for the home team. It saw Australian legend Richie Benuad leading his team to a seven-wicket victory and a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match series.

But Bashir feels the stadium has been afforded its fair share of moments to treasure.

"The most memorable match here was the Indo-Pak match in 1978 when our team beat India in a sensational finish," said Bashir of Pakistan's first-ever win over their arch rivals at home after the ties were revived following a 17-year break.

Pakistan's most prolific batsman Javed Miandad made his debut here in 1976. Another great batsman, Inzamam-ul-Haq, scored a triple hundred against New Zealand in 2002 and paceman Wasim Akram achieved country's first-ever Test hat-trick here in 1999.

The stadium also hosted the World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia in 1996.

"Gaddafi Stadium is truly the home of Pakistan cricket," said PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari. "It is one of the most beautiful grounds in Asia and we are trying our level best to bring international cricket back to our stadiums."

Sajjad advances in World Snooker last-32

2009-11-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

KARACHI : Pakistan's top ranked cueist Muhammad Sajjad advanced in the last 32 round of IBSF World Snooker Championship in Hyderabad Deccan (India) when he thrashed Chih-Hua Huang of Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

Sajjad playing his first world championship, after a tight opening frame registered a straight forward 61-51, 49-14, 95-10, 64-24 victory.

Sajjad will now take on Philip Williams of Wales on Sunday for a place in the pre-quarter final round.

Pakistan other player Asif was beaten 3-4 at the hands of David Braggs of England in last-64 round.

FIFA ban Iraq from international football

2009-11-21T08:36:00.001-08:00

PARIS : World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice ‘because of government interference’.

"In accordance with FIFA statutes, the clubs and representative teams of Iraq are no longer permitted to take part in international matches, whether friendly or competitive," read a statement on the FIFA website.

"Furthermore, the IFA is deprived of its right to vote at any congresses held by international bodies and is no longer entitled to receive financial assistance."

Despite the decision, Iraq's women's under-16 team will be allowed to compete in a youth tournament organised by the Norwegian football federation that is due to take place in Jordan from November 22-29.

On Tuesday, FIFA gave the authorities in Baghdad a 72-hour ultimatum to reinstate the IFA or risk suspension from international football.

Police on Wednesday seized control of the IFA's offices after its governing board was dissolved on charges of links to executed dictator Saddam Hussein.

"We are inside the headquarters to protect the premises and the fittings," Colonel Abdel Amir Rissan, who heads a police team in charge of security for official buildings, told AFP.

"We are here also to prevent the offices from being attacked or robbed... and our presence aims to protect employees until the provisional administration takes over."

FIFA said that the current members of the IFA's Executive Committee were "the sole recognised interlocutors for FIFA" and called for them to be "rapidly reinstated".

"The measures taken by the Iraqi Olympic Committee and the security forces are unacceptable to FIFA as they stand in total contradiction of IFA and FIFA statutes," the FIFA statement added.

Football is highly popular in Iraq and its importance was boosted by the national side's victory in the 2007 Asian Nations Cup.

FIFA has expressed growing concern about possible political interference in the sport in Iraq. In September, it gave the IFA until April 30, 2010 to elect a new board.

Iraq was briefly suspended from international football in May 2008, after the government dissolved the national Olympic Committee. It was reinstated only after the government said the IFA had not been affected.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had also suspended Iraq's Olympic Committee from international competition, but that row was resolved shortly before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Roger vs Rafa : Battle for The World Number 1 Crown : Atp London Final

2009-11-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

For The First time in many years the Battle for The World Number 1 in Tennis will be determine in the last tournament of the Year.Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will battle each other in a Two Man Battle for the Number 1 Crown.

ATP World Tour Final London O2 is starting from 22 November.This event will feature the Top Eight Players in the ATP Circuit and they will battle each other for the Year Ending Elite Championship.But this time the Championship has extra Spice on it.Roger and Rafa will be battling each other for the Number 1 ranking.

Here are the key scenarios in the battle for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title:

1. If Nadal is an undefeated champion at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (winning all-three round-robin matches, a semi-final and final) he will earn the maximum 1,500 points. If that happens, Federer would need to either win all three round-robin matches OR reach the final to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.

2. If Nadal goes 2-1 in round-robin play and wins the title he will earn 1,300 points. If that happens,Federer would need to either win two round-robin matches OR win one round-robin match and reach the final to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.

3. If Nadal goes 3-0 in round-robin play, wins his semi-final but loses the final he will earn 1,000 points. If that happens, Federer would need only to win one round-robin match to beat out Nadalfor the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.

The Tournament Kicks off this Sunday on Day British Favorite Andy Murray will take on Juan Martin Del Porto.

Night Session will Feature The World Number 1 and Four Time Champions Roger Federer vs Fernando Verdasco.

Pakistan to face New Zealand in 2nd T20 Today Watch Live Streeming

2009-11-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

After first T20, the focus turns to the the second and final T20 to be played between Pakistan and New Zealand on Friday in Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Aaj News reported.

Pakistan have a far superior record in T20s this year they won the World T20 and the 1st ODI against New Zealand and overall have eight wins in ten games. New Zealand is no slouches themselves.

It’s believed that the two T20Is here are sold out and is expected to be a houseful of around 25,000 spectators. Pakistan are the defending World T20 Champions and they are up against an unpredictable Kiwis who have already beaten them 2-1 in the 50-overs Series.

Live Streaming Online Webcast as soon it will start. So Stay tuned and bookmark this page.

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Australia vs India Live Streaming - 7th ODI Match

2009-11-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

In the last match, Australia won the 6th ODI and have won the Series 4-2. 7th ODI will be a dead rubber. But, Australia will try to win the match and make it 5-2.
India will be very disapointed with the result.

They didn’t finish of few games and that cost them the series. They will be down but will be trying to win the 7 ODI and make it 3-4. If they can win, they could take the confidence to the next upcoming Series against Sri Lanka

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New Zealand

USACA welcomes proposal of Pak-India series in US

2009-11-07T16:31:00.001-08:00

USA Cricket Association (USACA) has welcomed Indian proposal to host Pakistan-India one day internationals in Flordia's ICC approved stadium.

"We are keen to have both the top teams of the sub-continent and we welcome India's proposal in this regard ", said Nabeel Ahmad, Senior Vice President, USACA while talking to APP Saturday from Detroit.

Indian Deputy Foreign Minister in a statement recently said that it would be better for India and Pakistan to resume one day cricket ties at a neutral venue and USA could be an ideal choice because of larger Indian and Pakistan diehard cricket loving community living in North America.

"It is a very good proposal because everyone related to cricket wants that Pak-India should resume their international cricket as such events are always thrilling and entertaining ",he said.

He said USACA is fully ready to host any such venture and they can arrange such a series even at a short notice.

Nabeel dispelled the impression that USA did not have a international stadium. "To put the record straight we have a 8000 capacity ICC approved stadium in Florida which can accommodate nearly 25000 spectators with make shift arrangements by erecting spectators stands in those pavilion where people sit on grass and watch the game.

USACA official said ICC was keen to have international matches in USA because of growing passion of the game among the people including the expatriates of sub-continent and South East Asia.

"Cricket is gaining rapid popularity in USA, specially T-20 cricket and youth is taking keen interest and more and more players are coming into the fold of cricket and we see a bright future of the game in USA because market is full of sponsors and we plan to build more international cricket stadiums with the passage of time in other parts of the USA", he asserted.

He said Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt had also stated in a recent media inter-action that USA could host Twenty-20 or one day international matches as ICC was interested to have matches there on the grounds that if teams could travel and play in West Indies, closer to USA, then could explore the possibility of playing in USA as well.

"It is a good gesture shown by PCB but we want to make one thing clear that we are capable of hosting a full fledged series, the way Abu Dhabi is hosting Pakistan's ongoing three ODI matches against New Zealand and Dubai Sports City where two, T-20 matches will be played ",he said.

"If Abu Dhabi or Dubai can host successive matches, why cannot we and there should not be any reluctance from PCB or any other Cricket Board on this issue, because in the present circumstances they are playing at neutral venues where just one international standard facility (stadium) is available ",he maintained.

Nabeel said USA has a vast range of sponsors and in the presence of growing number of sponsors BCCI and other cricket Boards have approached them to play in USA.

"We anticipate hosting India or any other top cricket nation in near future to play T-20 cricket or a league on the pattern of Indian Premier League", he said.

Poland beat Pakistan by 3-2 in last WC qualifier

2009-11-07T16:30:00.001-08:00

LILLE : Poland beat favourites Pakistan 3-2 goals in the last pool match of the World Cup Qualifying Round, Aaj News reported here on Saturday.

According to the channel, Pakistan have already qualified for playing the final of the tournament while for the place of the second finalists, there will be a crucial contest between Japan and Poland today.

Pakistan team is heading the points table with 12 points. Japan may reach the final by beating France. But there is a twist in the situation after Pakistan’s defeat by Poland. Now if Japan is beaten by France then the Polish team will make the final.

But in result of a drawn game between France and Japan, the team gaining better goal average among Poland and France will play the final.

Bartoli, Rezai to clash in all-French Bali final

2009-11-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

French top seed Marion Bartoli will face compatriot Aravane Rezai on Sunday in the Bali Tournament of Champions' title clash.

Top seed Bartoli survived a late fight by Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm to win their semi-final 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday.

Later, Rezai had a smoother ride against Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, beating her 6-2, 6-3 in 64 minutes.

Bartoli has won both encounters against Rezai, the latest just over a month ago in the Tokyo second round.

At first, Bartoli, only seed remaining from the 12 women who began the week in this tropical resort, looked like she would need less than an hour to wrap up with ease her rout of 39-year-old Date Krumm, the oldest woman on the WTA.

But, to complicate matters, Date Krumm suddenly showed some of the form that made her a star more than a decade ago.

The Japanese veteran, who retired a dozen years ago and then revived her career last season, denied Bartoli a match-winner in the sixth game of the second set, with the Frenchwoman leading a set and 5-1.

Date proceeded to find new life with a break for 2-5 and a hold in the next game.

Bartoli, 2006 finalist when Bali was a regular WTA event, saved two break points and came through on a third match point a game later to close out victory in one hour, 25 minutes.

The 25-year-old French winner fired seven aces and broke six times in the showdown of generations at the 600,000-dollar tournament.

The event features the 10 highest-ranking players who have won a WTA International title this year but who did not compete in the season-ending WTA Championships in Qatar, which ended last weekend. Two wildcards were also included.

Bartoli, a Wimbledon finalist in 2007, is seeking her third title of the season, after Stanford and Monterrey.

Rezai was undaunted by seven aces from Martinez Sanchez, breaking four times while never facing a break point.

Cricket World Cup schedule to be announced on Monday

2009-11-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

The match schedule of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be announced in Mumbai on Monday (November 9), said a ICC statement issued on Saturday.

After the announcement of the match schedule, ICC Vice-President and Chairman of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Central Organising Committee Sharad Pawar, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and tournament director Prof. Ratnakar Shetty will hold a media conference to announce the schedule.

A total of 49 matches will be played in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with India hosting 29 matches, including the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a semi-final in Mohali and a quarter-final in Ahmedabad while Sri Lanka will stage 12 matches including a semi-final in Colombo and a quarter-final.

The ICC Cricket World Cup opening ceremony will be held on February 17, 2011 in Bangladesh, which will also host the opening match on February 19 along with two quarter-finals and six group matches.

GROUP 'A': Defending Champiion Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya are drawn in

GROUP 'B': India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, and Netherlands.

Federer through to another Basle final to face Djokovic

2009-11-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Roger Federer tamed childhood Basel school friend Marco Chiudinelli 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 Saturday, winning his 19th straight match at the pair's home Swiss Indoors to set up a final with Novak Djokovic.

Federer will be bidding for a fourth consecutive title here when he faces the second-seeded Serb, who rallied from the brink, saving three match points in spectacular fashion to win a dramatic semi-final over Radek Stepanek 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2.

World number one Federer leads Djokovic 9-4 in their career series, standing 2-2 his season with his rival.

Federer last lost in Basel in 2003 to Ivan Ljubicic, then returned in 2006 to claim the last three trophies. His win over Chiudinelli was his 11th over a fellow Swiss against three defeats.

Chiudinelli saved a set point in the combatative opening set but then was passed on one of his own before Federer landed the tiebreaker.

And he took control 4-1 in the second on his way to a 59th victory this season.

Djokovic, winner of three titles in 2009, moved to his ninth final of the year as he stays the leader in ATP matches won in 2009 on 70.

He looked to be on the brink of a loss, trailing a set and 4-5 after Stepanek had taken the lead with his sixth ace in the previous game.

Facing three match points in the tenth game after a double-fault, Djokovic calmly saved two with winners while a Stepanek error accounted for the third.

A break in the next game for 6-5 and a forehand winner to end the set breathed new life into Djokovic, the player sporting the best post-US Open record on the ATP at 13-1 since losing to Federer in the New York semis.

Djokovic began the final set with a break and closed out Stepanek with a break in the seventh game and an error from the Czech a game later to escape in two and a half hours.

"I played well and I'm so happy to be in the final," said the winner. "The public really helped me when I was 4-5, love 40 down, they got me though.

"But I didn't serve very well and I had some luck. I'm happy after my second difficult match in a row. I could sense the crowd wanted to see me in the final.

"I'm very proud to get to this final, I'm fresh and I'm ready. I will play a home favourite in any case and the crowd will be for him."

Top 10 Goals of the Week

2009-11-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

This week we only have one dumbass video to show you, and it has to be one of the most retarded bookings likely to be seen this season. Congratulations, party-boy Ronaldinho.

Playing against Parma on Saturday night, the bucked-toothed wonder tried to do his team a service by collecting a new ball as Milan won a throw-in. The only problem was that the Rossoneri’s Luca Antonini was even quicker in restarting proceedings, and the number 77 quickly took the throw-in when Dinho’s back was turned. Once facing the pitch, the Samba star realised what had happened, but instead of turfing the ball from where it came from, Ronaldinho dumped the ball on the pitch and tried to get involved in the play.

Unsurprisingly, the referee was far from amused at having two balls now on the playing field and, after walking up to the number 80 to come nose-to-nose with the playmaker, the man in black booked Ronaldinho for stupidity.

Onto the list, where there has been yet another fabulous collection of strikes over the pasty seven days.

Super strikes from distance include goals 1, 3 and 10, while goal four brings back memories of Zindane Zidane’s Champions League cracker against Bayer Levekusen.

Finesse is satisfied by goal 9, a solo stunner can be found at goal 5, while a couple of brilliant scissor-kicks can be located at positions 6 and 7.

That leaves two - an outrageous overhead-kick at goal 2 and a textbook overhead-stunner at number 8.

As always, all we ask is that you sit back and enjoy!

1. Emiliano Insua (Arsenal v Liverpool, Oct. 28, 2009)

2. Keita Sugimoto (Nagoya Grampus Eight v Al-Ittihad, Oct. 28, 2009)

3. Abderrazzak Jadid (Reggina v Salernitana, Oct. 31, 2009)

4. Toni Kroos (Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen, Oct. 31, 2009)

5. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal v Tottenham, Oct. 31, 2009)

6. Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United v Blackburn, Oct. 31, 2009)

7. Marco Borriello (AC Milan v Parma, Oct. 31, 2009)

8. Luis Gabriel Rey (Morelia v Guadalajara (Chivas), Nov. 1, 2009) (pictured)

9. Alex (Spartak Moscow v Rostov, Nov. 1, 2009)

10. Giuseppe Mascara (Fiorentina v Catania, Nov. 1, 2009)

Graham Stack’s strip show reveals that Hibs are on a hot streak (video)

2009-11-02T11:45:00.000-08:00

We’ve been waiting for this video to surface for a few days now, and finally its here.

At the start of the week Scottish TV cameras visited Hibernian’s training ground to report on Hibs’ fabulous start to the SPL season in which the club have risen to third-place in the division.

But the report went a little awry when, playing a classic schoolyard prank, Hibs goalie Graham Stack took the opportunity to show off his bare cheeks in front of the nation on live TV.

In a brilliant piece of comedy, Stack mooned behind team-mates Kevin McBride and Liam Miller as they were interviewed for Reporting Scotland. Obviously his teammates were immediately thrown off, as the interview descended into farce.

Purdue AD Still Kicks Em' When Thay Are Down

2009-11-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

This past season, Purdue won their 21st conference championship and moved into first place all-time over Indiana (20). Coach Tom Crean and the Hoosiers, who have only one one conference title in the last 15 years, are still trying to rebuild from the mess left by Kelvin Sampson.

Even with extraordinary efforts by Crean and his staff to bring in talent, the Hoosiers are still predicted to finish near the bottom of the Big 10 conference. All of these hardships for the famed program does not stop Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke from giving the metaphorical knife another twist. You know, just to make sure it still stings.

“It should not come as a surprise, because Purdue leads the conference with 21 Big Ten championships,” he told the Star. “Nobody else has 21, not even the people down south of Indianapolis.”

I understand the importance of promoting your program's legacy, especially in the basketball-crazed state of Indiana. But choosing now to take a snide shot at the Hoosier program is like the bully who kicks the crutches out from under the injured kid. You know there is nothing that Indiana could really say back, as their biggest challenge right now would be trying to solidify any kind of postseason play.

Come on Burke, pick on someone your own size, I'd be much more impressed if you kept your conference digs to schools you will actually be competing with. On the other hand, I will be interested to see if this turns into bulletin board material for when the Boilermakers come to Bloomington on February 4th.

WWE Superstar Raw Champions

2009-11-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

Champions

John Cena

Triumphing over WWE Champion Randy Orton in a grueling One Hour, Anything Goes WWE Iron Man Match at WWE Bragging Rights, John Cena heroically captured his seventh World Title.
.

The Miz

One night after losing at Hell in a Cell, The Miz capitalized on a golden opportunity granted to him by special guest host Ben Roethlisberger to defeat Kofi Kingston and become the new United States Champion.

Big Show

After an injury left his partner Edge unable to compete, Unified Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho exploited a contractual loophole to make Big Show his new partner. At Night of Champions, the diabolical duo disposed of their opponents, Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes.

Melina

Just moments after being announced as one of Raw’s newest Divas courtesy of a monumental Tri-Brand Divas trade by special guest host Nancy O’Dell, Melina defeated Jillian in the tone-deaf Diva’s first title defense to become the new Divas Champion.

Australia Vs India : Watch Online HD Streaming

2009-11-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

Australia vs India Live

Watch the battle between the two of the world best team.Australia vs India will battle each other in 4th ODI in the 7th ODI Series at Delhi.Australia has set the target of 251 for India currently India is in a bit of bother they are 3 down already Watch Live streaming of this ultimate battle between the cricket giants.

White took the batting Powerplay in the 45th over but couldn’t make use of it as he was run out after backing up too far and failing to beat the direct hit from the bowler Nehra. Mitchell Johnson too fell soon, cleaned up by a slower one from Nehra, andAustralia failed to make the Powerplay count.

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Hong Kong Super Sixes 2009, Live Scores, Live Streeaming, Ten Sports

2009-11-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hong Kong Super Sixes 2009, Live Scores, Live Streeaming, Ten Sports,hong kong super sixes, hong kong sixes, hong kong sixes 2009, hong kong cricket sixes, hk sixes

he Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is an annual international cricket tournament held in Hong Kong , The event is approved by the ICC.

The 2009 Tournament which is the 15th edition will be held from 31 October to 1 November and 8 Teams will participate in this event

For Live Streaming Click Here

For Promo Video of Hong kong Sixes Click Here

The Schedule is as follows :

Saturday

1. 8.20am Hong Kong vs South Africa
2 . 9.05am India vs Sri Lanka
3 9.50am Hong Kong vs New Zealand
4 10.35am Pakistan vs England
5 11.20am South Africa vs Australia
6 12.05pm Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
7 12.50pm Hong Kong vs Australia
8 1.35pm India vs England
9 2.20pm South Africa vs New Zealand
10 3.05pm India vs Pakistan
11 3.50pm New Zealand vs Australia
12 4.35pm Sri Lanka vs England

Sunday:

Match	Sunday	Match	Group
13	8.30am	N2 vs S2	Cup RR
14	9.15am	N1 vs S1	Cup RR
15	10.00am	N3 vs S4	Plate SF1
16	10.45am	N1 vs S2	Cup RR
17	11.30am	N2 vs S1	Cup RR
	12.15 – 12.35pm	Champions Parade
18	12.35pm	N4 vs S3	Plate SF 2
19	1.20pm	S1 vs S2	Cup RR
20	2.05pm	N1 vs N2	Cup RR
	2.50 – 3.00pm	Entertainment
21	3.00pm	Plate Final
22	4.00pm	Cup Final
	5.00pm	Presentations

Hong Kong Super Sixes Teams:

Australia:
Greg Moller (Captain)
Glenn Maxwell
Jeremy Smith
Josh Hazelwood
Marcus Stoinis
Michael Cranmer
Simon Keen
India:
Anil Kumble (Captain)
Gaurav Dhiman
J Arunkumar
Manish Pandey
Reetinder Sodhi
Sriram Sridharan
Stuart Binny

England:
Chris Read (Captain)
Darren Stevens
Graham Wagg
Graham Napier
Jamie Dalrymple
Peter Trego
Rory Hamilton-Brown

New Zealand:

Craig McMillan (Captain)
Anaru Kitchen
Corey Anderson
Craig Spearman
Peter Fulton
Shanon Stewart

Hong Kong:
Najeeb Amar (Captain)
Hussain Butt
Irfan Ahmed
Mark Wright
Moner Dar
NadeemAhmed
Tanwir Afzal

Pakistan:
Faisal Iqbal (Captain)
Abdur Rauf
Ahmed Shahzad
Anwar Ali
Junaid Zia
Sohail Khan
Yasir Hameed

Sri Lanka:
Jeewatha Kulathunga (Captain)
Kaushal Lokuarachchi (V. Captain)
Chinthaka Jayasinghe
Dilhara Lokuhettige
Hasantha Fernando
Indika De Seram
Nuwan Zoysa

South Africa:
David Jacobs (Captain)
David Wiese
Farhaan Behardien
Lungile Bosman
Rory Kleinveldt
Ryan Bailey
Werner Coetsee

BCS Rankings october 25,BCS Rankings week 10,BCS standings october 25,NCAA Football Standings Football rankings, College Football rankings, BCS Standi

2009-11-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

bcs rankings october 25,bcs rankings, bcs rankings week 9,NCAA Football Standings Football rankings, College Football rankings, BCS Standings,bcs rankings week 2, bcs standings october 25, bcs rankings week 10

BCS Standings
Rank	School	Record	Avg	Prev
1	Florida	7-0	0.9697	1
2	Alabama	8-0	0.9423	2
3	Texas	7-0	0.8900	3
4	Iowa	8-0	0.8227	6
5	USC	6-1	0.7920	7
6	TCU	7-0	0.7870	8
7	Boise State	7-0	0.7730	4
8	Cincinnati	7-0	0.7710	5
9	LSU	6-1	0.7010	9
10	Oregon	6-1	0.6440	11
11	Georgia Tech	7-1	0.5877	12
12	Penn State	7-1	0.5833	13
13	Virginia Tech	5-2	0.4910	14
14	Oklahoma State	6-1	0.4477	15
15	Pittsburgh	7-1	0.3407	20
16	Utah	6-1	0.3153	18
17	Ohio State	6-2	0.3137	19
18	Houston	6-1	0.3073	17
19	Miami (FL)	5-2	0.2483	10
20	Arizona	5-2	0.2240	22
21	West Virginia	6-1	0.1953	23
22	South Carolina	6-2	0.1887	24
23	Notre Dame	5-2	0.1197	NR
24	California	5-2	0.0917	NR
25	Mississippi	5-2	0.0903	NR

2009 Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe- 2nd ODI Watch Live

2009-10-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka will play two Tests against Bangladesh in December followed by a triangular ODI tournament also involving Zimbabwe, who will then play the hosts in a separate three-match one-day series.

Sri Lanka arrive in Dhaka on December 19 and the first Test starts on Boxing Day. The venue for the second Test, starting on January 3, is Chittagong.

The triangular tournament begins on January 10 with the final seven days later in Dhaka. Zimbabwe then remain in the country for three further ODIs beginning on January 19.

The first ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe of the Triangular ODI Series will be played on 10th January 2009 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

The Soul of Baseball

2009-10-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

“I remember catching batting-practice home runs, she said. “That was when baseball was still baseball.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Buck O’Neil said, “but baseball is still baseball.”

The above quote pretty much sums up legendary Negro Leagues player, manager, Major League coach & scout, and ambassador for the game, Buck O’Neil. Always meeting cynicism & negativity and turning it on its ear with his unbridled optimism.

I remember the first time I ever played baseball. It was Grade 1 and I ventured out to the sandlot at the back of the school where some of my classmates were playing. I had never seen of or heard of baseball before - I was raised by a single Mom and didn’t really have any exposure to sports. The kids were playing with a tennis ball and I joined in. Despite never having been introduced to the game before, the first time I picked up that tennis ball I immediately knew how to play the game, the rules - it seemed so natural and effortless. From that day forward I fell in love with the game but I never really understood why - or know how to go about articulating it. After reading The Soul of Baseball, I now “get it.”

“Baseball is for the Pastor and Baseball is for the Pimp.” - Buck O’Neil

This book, The Soul of Baseball, has renowned Kansas City baseball writer Joe Posnanski following Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil on a cross country journey to find the soul of baseball. The Soul of Baseball revives the game through the eyes of Buck O’Neil, baseball’s greatest ambassador and quite possibly the world’s greatest storyteller. O’Neil’s off-the-cuff stories form the heart of this book that lead to life lessons and an overall feeling of well-being, mostly due to Buck’s infectious joy.

However, the book is so much more than that. This book should be required reading for all baseball fans or anyone considering becoming a fan - most importantly those who do not understand the game.

For a quick bio on Buck O’Neil, check this out. Otherwise, to sum up Buck in a paragraph it would be this:

In time, I would grow accustomed to Buck’s boundless joy. That joy went with him everywhere. Every day, Buck hugged strangers, invented nicknames, told jokes, and shared stories. He sang out loud and danced happily. He threw baseballs to kids and asked adults to tell him about their parents and he kept signing autographs long after his hand started to shake. I heard him leave an inspiring and heartfelt two-minute phone message for a person he had never met. I saw him take a child by the hand during a class, another child grabbed her hand, and another child grabbed his, until a human chain had formed and together they curled and coiled between the desks of the classroom, a Chinese dragon dance, and they all laughed happily. I saw Buck pose for a thousand photographs with a thousand different people and it never bothered him when the amateur photographer fumbled around, trying all at once to focus an automatic camera, frame the shot like Scorsese, and make the camera’s flash pop at two on a sunny afternoon. Buck kept his arm wrapped tight around the woman standing next to him. “Take your time,” he always said. “I like this.” Always.

Whether Buck is regaling the reader on “Cool Papa” Bell (Cool Papa Bell was so fast, he once scored from first base on a bunt) or mentoring a sheepish Ryan Howard (If you got power, don’t hide it for nobody. Swing the bat hard, son) he never loses steam for the duration.

On Page 228, it felt like Buck was talking to me personally when he talked about why baseball was best for kids.

Nothing better than baseball for kids. Teaches them all the lessons. How to be a teammate, how to be a man. Nobody does it for you. Gotta stand up. I remember Willie used to tell those kids in Baton Rouge. It’s better to steal second than to steal an apple.

There is a moment in the book where Buck O’Neil flirts with a much younger woman wearing a red dress. When asked about it he only replied “Son, in this life, you never walk by a red dress.” But with Buck you knew he meant more. He meant that we should never pass up an opportunity to live life. We should not rush by the red dresses, the baseball games, the street musicians, the sweet smell of dessert. We should not stifle or smother our craziest dreams. Buck never did and he left behind one of the most extraordinary lives to show for it. Not only does Buck encapsulate the soul of baseball but he touches on what is at the soul of every human being - wanting to be understood. Good black don’t crack. Order this book online or go to your nearest bookstore and get this book TODAY. I dare you to not cry at the end.

Shock defeat for host club at EHL Round 1.2

2009-10-25T06:58:00.001-07:00

Round 1.2 of the Euro Hockey League got underway on Friday with four pulsating hockey matches taking place at St Germain HC, on the outskirts of Paris. It was an incredible day of action that witnessed 24 goals in just four matches, including two hat-tricks. You can find a brief summary of the action below, with extensive reports available on www.ehlhockey.tv – the official website of the Euro Hockey League.

Pool D – Club Egara 3-2 HC Bra
Spanish giants Club Egara got their Euro Hockey League season off to a winning start but were made to fight all the way by a HC Bra team that performed superbly throughout the match. Egara eventually won the match against the Italians 3-2, with goals coming from the sticks of Jorge Carrera, Marc Garcia-Chicote and Jorge Clapes, but Pol Amat was the star of the show with a stunning individual performance. The result puts Egara top of Pool D before Saturday's match between Rot-Weiss Köln and HC Bra.

Pool C – East Grinstead HC 4-1 KS AWF Poznan
East Grinstead came through a tough test from Poland’s KS AWF Poznan to eventually win 4-1, a result which puts them top of Pool C overnight. Two impressive penalty corner strikes from Gareth Carr were the highlight of the match, with Ben Payne and Dave De Prez also getting their names on the score-sheet. KS AWF had given themselves hope when they made the score 1-1 thanks to an easy finish from Waldemar Rataj, but the English champions proved to be just too strong for the Polish student team.

Pool A – Der Club an der Alster 5-1 HC Rotweiss Wettingen
Jonathan Fröschle scored a hat trick of penalty corners to help Der Club an der Alster to a 5-1 victory over Switzerland's Rotweiss Wettingen. However, the nature of the win was not as emphatic as the score-line would suggest, with Reto Spörri's second half strike making things extremely interesting at 2-1. Eventually though, the team from Germany produced a late flurry of goals to secure all five points in Pool A, giving themselves an excellent chance of reaching next Easter's EHL KO16 event.

Pool F – St Germain HC 1-7 KHC Leuven
Host club St Germain fell to a crushing 1-7 home defeat at the hands of Belgium's KHC Leuven, who produced a sensational display of attacking hockey to top Pool F at the end of Day 1. Ireland international Phelie Maguire scored a first half hat-trick to effectively win the game and give his team a great chance of qualifying for the second phase of the competition. The home team never recovered from their bad start, and will now need to re-group before Sunday evening's vital clash with Beeston HC of England.

The action continues on Saturday when German champions Rot-Weiss Köln take on HC Bra of Italy at 10.30 (GMT +1), with Bra needing a victory to keep alive their chances of qualifying for Round 2 of the event. Reigning EHL Champions HC Bloemendaal take to the field at 12.30 when they face Rotweiss Wettingen, with the Swiss side needing to produce a shock result if they are secure a berth at KO16. At 14.30, Dutch giants Amsterdam H&BC play their first fixture of the 2009-10 EHL season against English champions East Grinstead. The final match of the day takes place at 16.30 and sees England’s Beeston HC play their first match of the competition against the inform KHC Leuven.

For more information, pool tables, video highlights and live match streaming, please visit www.ehlhockey.tv.

EHL Round 1.2 – St Germain HC, Paris (FRA), 23 - 25 October 2009
Schedule (all times are local – GMT +1)

Friday 23 October 2009
14.30 hrs Pool D Club Egara v HC Bra 3-2
16.30 hrs Pool C East Grinstead HC v KS AWF Poznan 4-1
18.30 hrs Pool A Der Club an der Alster v HC Rotweiss Wettingen 5-1
20.30 hrs Pool F St Germain HC v KHC Leuven 1-7

Saturday 24 October 2009
10.30 hrs Pool D Rot-Weiss Köln HC v HC Bra
12.30 hrs Pool A HC Bloemendaal v HC Rotweiss Wettingen
14.30 hrs Pool C East Grinstead HC v Amsterdam H&BC
16.30 hrs Pool F Beeston HC v KHC Leuven

Sunday 25 October 2009
10.30 hrs Pool D Rot-Weiss Köln HC v Club Egara
12.30 hrs Pool C Amsterdam H&BC v KS AWF Poznan
14.30 hrs Pool A HC Bloemendaal v Der Club an der Alster
16.30 hrs Pool F St Germain HC v Beeston HC

Snooker Is Gangsta

2009-10-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

Snooker is not known to be the most violent of the billiards games, but here it proves that it can be just as rough as the $50 a ball game down at the pool hall on MLK Blvd. You know that pool hall, with the warped and stained tables from all the booze spilled on them, the smell of stale beer and cigarettes in the air, some old guy sitting in the corner, silent, but watching every move made and cackling like a hyena with a pack a day habit whenever you scratch a ball...yea, that's real pool. However, snooker is attempting to rival real billiards by having fights break out in charity exhibition matches! Thats hard-core man.

This snooker match broke into a fight due to a disputed call made by the referee. Alex "Hurricane" Higgins did not like a ball touching call made and landed a punch in the stomach of the man in the tux above, the ref, Terry Riley. Riley took exception to this, grabbed Higgins and pushed him backwards along the table until some of the crowd and his opponent stepped in.

From the story:

The event's promoter, Gary Astley, said Higgins later told him the referee had "over-reacted" on Monday night.

But Mr Riley, a class one international referee with 25 years' experience, said: "It was a punch and officials are not there to be punched."

I never thought I'd live to see the day where a snooker referee could be called "gangsta" but its time has come...and I've never felt so alive before.

Michael Beasley Takes One Hell of a Fishing Trip

2009-10-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

What is the deal with Michael Beasley and pictures. Every photo i’ve seen of the Miami Heat forward off the court has been, shall we say, controversial.

First was the picture of Beasley showing off his new ink, with a questionable bag in the background…and by questionable, I mean it looked an awful lot like weed.

So Beasley went through rehab, and is now in the NBA substance abuse program, where he has to meet with a counsellor once a week. One more screwup and Beasley could be suspended.

Which brings us to the October 10th, and a team arranged fishing trip. Gossip site TMZ posted some photos from the trip, showing Beasley sleeping beside an unknown female…with open beer bottles on a nearby table.

Here’s one of the pics…

So TMZ tracked down some Heat officials to get an explanation…and they didn’t disappoint.

According to Heat executive Tim Donovan, Beasley was only drinking “purple gatorade.”

Right.

So then, why is Beasley passed out asleep?

Donovan attributed Beasley’s nappy time to being tired from the day’s practice.

When asked about the pics, Beasley had this to say…

“I’m not trying to worry about it because I really didn’t do anything. I didn’t have any alcohol at all. I’ve been told the pictures came from a fan that posted them out of the goodness of his heart and didn’t mean harm.”

A Miami Heat spokesperson said that the team has explained the incident to the league, and they don’t expect the NBA to take any action against Beasley.

I guess that the story behind the pics could be true, it sounds barely plausible. The league bought it…should we?

The NASCAR hangover

2009-10-25T05:29:00.001-07:00

It is not news that NASCAR attendance is down, it is also not news that the TV numbers are down, the only real question is why? Why is this sport slipping from the high it saw in the early part of this decade? Why are once proud NASCAR fans tuning out a bit? What exactly is the problem?

Part of the problem is competition. Especially now in the Fall NASCAR is going up against the heavy hitters such as the NFL and College Football. On top of that they are battling the NHL, NBA, MLB Post season, and this year the debut of the UFL. That is a lot of things for sports fans to pay attention too, and it seems this year that NASCAR is the thing slipping through the cracks.

It seems to me that the reason for that is the dominance of Jimmie Johnson. He has won three of their first five chase races of 2009, and many fans and media alike, are ready to crown him the champion now, instead of a month from now at Homestead.
If everyone is willing to simply give Jimmie the championship there really isn't a reason to watch, now is there? In this way the perception has become reality. Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus are so much better than everyone else, which it is almost not fair, but it is certainly not exciting to watch.

Martinsville this Sunday will mark the 56th chase race in NASCAR history. Jimmie has won 17 of them, and is the only driver to qualify for the chase in all six seasons it has been run. On top of that nearly 40% of Jimmie's 46 career wins have come in the chase. Simply put he is better at this version of NASCAR than everyone else by a very large margin.

For all his winning and for all his accomplishments Jimmie has never truly fit into what NASCAR fans want their NASCAR drivers to be. He is far too sharp, too corporate, and at the end of the day he is way too nice. None of those qualities make for compelling television, and that may be why the TV numbers are down.

The attendance numbers are down because there are far too many cookie cutter 1.5 mile race tracks, where the racing isn't exciting, and doesn't look any different from the race before. This is a very bad sign, as the races all look the same there is no real reason to watch them week in and out. On top of that if only a few drivers have a shot at winning, why watch?

The hangover comes in by the fact that the season is just so long. It started in February, it end in November, and between the top three series damn near 100 races will be run. Let us end it like this, the most successful sports league on the planet, the NFL, season lasts just for months, five if we count the pre season. As it stands now the NASCAR season is double that.

Serving It Up in Doha: Women’s Tennis Year-End Championships

2009-10-25T05:23:00.001-07:00

Finally the end of another agonizing year for the women’s tour is upon us. As the eight top seeds in the women’s game head off to Doha, the tournament will reveal once and for all who will end 2009 ranked
numero uno.

Poetically, Dinara Safina surpasses Serena Williams to once again be ranked number one as they enter the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships that begin on October 27 in Qatar. Currently Safina is
ranked five points behind Serena Williams.

As of October 26 when the new rankings come out, the points from last year’s championship will come off the totals. Safina has earned more points than any other player after winning titles in Rome, Madrid and Portoroz as well as reaching six finals. Therefore, she has earned the number one seed.

Throughout the year players earn points but only the top eight players are awarded entry into the Sony Ericsson Championship Tournament. For doubles, it is the top four teams that gain entry into the year-ending championship.

So who is in:

#1 Dinara Safina 7,731 points
#2 Serena Williams 7,576 points
#3 Svetlana Kuznetsova 5,772 points
#4 Caroline Wozniacki 5,475 points
#5 Elena Dementieva 5,415 points
#6 Victoria Azarenka 4,451 points
#7 Venus Williams 4,391 points
#8 Jelena Jankovic 3,555 points

Jelena Jankovic just squeaked into the final eight this week when Vera Zvonareva lost to qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova in Moscow during the second round. The two were battling it out for the final eighth spot.
Zvonareva blinked first and the feisty Serb is back in contention.

In 2008 Venus Williams won the tournament as the number 7 seed fighting for the championship against the number 8 seed Vera Zvonareva 6-7, 6-0, 6-2. They both went through their respective round-robins undefeated.

What will happen in 2009?

Moscow Grand Prix What to expect

2009-10-25T05:16:00.000-07:00

After opening the season in Paris, the Grand Prix series heads to Moscow for the second of six events. Here are the key story lines to follow.

Plushenko back, Weir 'home' and Chan out
2006 Olympic champion Yevgeny Plushenko makes his return to international competition at home at the Grand Prix of Russia. The 26-year-old has competed in Russian national events this fall, but has not taken the ice at an ISU competition since winning Olympic gold. The three-time world champion will likely regain a technical dominance that includes consistent quads, but it remains unclear if he has addressed his artistic weaknesses. Plushenko has been criticized for his lack of choreography in and out of his jumps. Moscow will show whether the judges are ready to rank Plushenko as a medal contender in Vancouver.

Also competing is three-time United States champion Johnny Weir, who is a self-proclaimed Russia-phile and has a huge following there. At age 25, the 2008 world bronze medalist sees Vancouver as his last legitimate chance at an Olympic medal. "When I decided not to quit and to fight 'til the bloody end, it was for me, not for my mom, not for my coach, not for my federation. I am just pushing to beat Johnny Weir - which is hard to do," Weir said. He looks to prove he's back on track after his poor performances at 2009 U.S. Nationals kept him off the world team. Defeating Plushenko in Russia would certainly send that message.

Canadian Patrick Chan was expected to compete in Russia, but he withdrew last week due to a small tear in his left calf muscle. The 2009 world silver medalist is undergoing treatment for the injury and is expected to make his season debut at Skate Canada on Nov. 19. Withdrawing from Russia means Chan cannot qualify for the Grand Prix Final, which skaters qualify for based on results at two Grand Prix events. This does not hurt Chan's chances in Vancouver. He will have Skate Canada and nationals (both "at-home") to prepare for the Olympics.

Keep an eye out for... American Brandon Mroz, who surprised at 2009 Nationals by winning the silver medal. He will add a quad to his short program for the first time and may top Weir if he lands it. Also, Takahiko Kozuka of Japan, who claimed gold at 2008 Skate America over Weir and American Evan Lysacek.

Japanese rivals and Americans seeking a medal
2007 world champion Miki Ando of Japan starts her season in Russia and will be joined by teammate Mao Asada. Ando's bronze medal at 2009 Worlds knocked teammate Asada off an ISU podium for the first time in her career. Asada has a lot to prove in her second event - last week in Paris she was inconsistent and lost to champion Kim Yu-Na of South Korea by a whopping 35 points. Ando's coach, Nikolai Morozov, was in Paris coaching Japan's Nobunari Oda to the men's title and witnessed Asada's imperfection. Look for the consistent Ando to capitalize on her teammate's weaknesses in Russia.

Challenging the Japanese ladies are Americans Alissa Czisny and Ashley Wagner. Both begin to make their case for one of two spots on the U.S. Olympic team. Czisny, 22, is the reigning U.S. champion, but finished 11th at 2009 Worlds proving she continues to struggle with consistency. She does not compete a triple-triple combination, but garners huge marks for her amazing spins, flexibility, and mature style. Wagner is quite the opposite - a determined and athletic skater. The 19-year-old is working to harness her competitive spirit into improved artistry while still ticking off the difficult triples. Wagner did not make the 2009 World team due to a poor short program at nationals, but has the talent to make the Olympic team. With at least five American ladies vying for two Olympic berths, Grand Prix medals cannot guarantee a trip to Vancouver, but competitive scores will enhance their resumes.

Keep an eye out for... 2009 world junior champion Alena Leonova of Russia. She's been the most consistent Russian since 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Irina Slutskaya retired. Leonova may lack finesse, but at least she stays on her feet.

Davis and White all but guaranteed victory
Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White should win the dance event in Moscow after the withdrawal of 2009 world champions Oksana Domnina and Maksim Shabalin, of Russia. Unofficial reports claim that Shabalin is in treatment for his knees-he has missed several major competitions due to surgeries the past two seasons. After withdrawing from 2009 European championships, Shabalin rushed back to claim the world title a month later. The team resumed training (alongside Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto) in late summer, only to withdraw from the Grand Prix series last week. Without them, Davis and White will likely claim to two Grand Prix golds and will not be tested until the Grand Prix Final in December where they should meet teammates Belbin and Agosto and top Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. While the results of the Final may be a sneak-peek at the North American pecking order, these three teams cannot challenge the reigning world champions or the 2008 world champions Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France until the Olympics. When the two top European teams return, it remains to be seen who among their North American foe will fall short of the Vancouver podium.

American pair champions look to get back on track
Two-time U.S. champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker kick-off their season, competing under the guidance of coach John Nicks for the first time. (Nicks coached Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner to the 1979 world pairs title; Babilonia mentors the pair, too.) The duo struggled at their world championship debut in March (11th place) and know people are waiting to see how they rebound from their first tough international season.

The Americans will take on the home team of Yuko Kavaguti and Aleksandr Smirnov. The 2009 world bronze medalists attempt a throw quad Salchow in their free skate and look to prove they can continue Russia's Olympic pairs legacy. (The name Kavaguti is listed on her passport, but her given name is Kawaguchi - she gave up her Japanese citizenship to compete for Russia at the Olympics.) Russia has won pairs gold at the past 12 Olympics, with Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier co-champions in 2002. Standing in Kavaguti and Smirnov's way come February are the German team of Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy and three Chinese pair teams, including Pang Qing and Tong Jian, who they will also meet in Russia. Pang and Tong are the 2006 world champions, but of the three Chinese teams, the only team who has yet to win an Olympic medal. Pang and Tong struggle with individual jumps, but when they are clean, are more refined than the Russians and are always contenders.

Remembering Payne Stewart

2009-10-25T03:50:00.001-07:00

In the past 20 years, golf has a small number of images that have burned themselves deep into our brains. Greg Norman hitting his knees on Sunday at the Masters in 1996. A year later, Tiger Woods winning his first major championship and embracing his father, Earl, with such power and love that it made non-golf fans tear up. Payne Stewart, needing to hole a putt on the 18th green at Pinehurst, rolling it in and extending out on one foot, hand in the air, a memory lasting forever.

On Sunday, it will be 10 years since Stewart died tragically in an airplane crash, exactly four months and two days after that putt dropped at the U.S. Open. It was a moment that rocked the golf world, but gave everyone a chance to remember just how special Payne was to the PGA Tour. A religious man, Stewart wore a WWJD (What What Jesus Do) bracelet on his wrist that Sunday at Pinehurst, and, in typical Payne fashion, grabbed Phil Mickelson, who finished second that day, moments after the winning putt dropped and told him, "You're going to be a father," helping to ease the pain of defeat.
Stewart was always an anomaly to me. His clothes were different, from the NFL sporting days to the classic plus fours, he has been one of the few golfers of any generation to completely change styles and make it work. He was a classy guy in every sense of the word, even when the cocky attitude would surface for a second. That's who he was. He knew he was good, and he should have, because he was.

If Stewart was around today, who knows how many more major championships the straight-hitter would have claimed. When the putter was hot, his game was as tough as anyone, and watching him compete with the talent out there now would have been a treat for all of us.

He was charismatic, fun to watch and a damn good golfer, along with being the type of person you'd want to be friends with. The plane crash that claimed his life? Yeah, he was on his way to Dallas to see about building a new home course for the SMU golf team, his alma mater.

With character a problem in sports these days, it's easy to forget about guys like Stewart. He was a family man who, seconds after winning the biggest golf tournament in the world, spoke to a competitor about family, knowing that no matter how many trophies he could add to the case, the end of the day is all about those around you ... the important ones in your life.

Nobody expected we'd lose Payne so soon, and it's crazy to think it was 10 years ago. On Sunday, if you're planning on going out to your local course and slap the round ball around with some buddies, try and take a minute to remember Stewart. His outfits, his smile and that lasting image of his arm outstretched, leg in the air, king of the world for a moment. It's only fitting that a putting tip from, who else, his wife was the reason he may have won that final major championship, at Pinehurst 10 years ago.

Machida vs. Rua may be a Blessing in Disguise for the UFC

2009-10-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

A controversial decision victory for the current UFC light heavyweight champion may be a silver lining for the UFC and their recent skid of matchmaking woes.

Lyoto Machida defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in a controversial unanimous decision, in a fight that many observers felt Shogun won.

But for the UFC, they may have just found their Super Bowl main event.

Prior to UFC 104 the state of the 205lbs. division was not nearly as strong as it appeared several months ago. The sudden retirement of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson left Rashad Evans opponent-less and with Evans now facing Thiago Silva (two fighters that Lyoto Machida knocked out) facing each other at UFC 108 many thought that UFC matchmaker, Joe Silva, would be scrambling to find a paper contender for Machida who was the odds on favorite to defeat Rua. Not anymore.

An immediate rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua makes perfect sense for the UFC, Rua and fight fans. The only party who could be opposed to it could be Machida but luckily for fight fans he appears ready for a rematch.

"Whenever he wants, I'll try again," Machida said when asked if he'd be interested in giving Shogun an immediate rematch. "No problem."

College Football Week Eight Quick Picks

2009-10-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame Could Be in Trouble Again

The Fighting Irish have covered only one spread in 2009, against Nevada in Week One, and only beaten a single spread in 2009, last week against the USC Trojans. Now, as favorites once again, the Irish host Boston College .

The football betting line on the game is Notre Dame -7½, but don’t be so quick to jump on Charlie Weis’ team based on the spread. They’ve really had trouble against teams that they should have run over with ease this year, like Purdue, who they beat 24-21 as 6½ point favorites in the NCAA sportsbook and Michigan State whom they lost to straight-up 33 to 30 as 10 ½ point favorites.

Will the golden domers prove to be a horrible football wager again against the point spread? Probably. Boston College is 4-2 ATS and beat Florida State straight-up as 3½ point underdogs.

The Eagles aren’t pushovers, and Notre Dame has proven in 2009 that if you have even the slightest bit of talent, you can play with them.

Oregon Leads Quick Picks

The Oregon Ducks have solidified their status as the best team in the Pac-10. Sure, USC is ranked higher but against the spread, the Ducks have been the toast of the west coast.

Save for two straight losses ATS in the first two weeks of the season, the Ducks have been perfect against the spread. They’ve covered against Utah, ending Utah’s winning streak, Cal, destroying the Bears when the Bears were ranked in the Top 10, Washington State, and UCLA on the road.

Now, they face the Washington Huskies as 10-point betting favorites. Expect the Ducks to cover again.

SMU Soccer - Ryan Rosenbaum hits 95-yard goal (video)

2009-10-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ryan Rosenbaum of SMU men's soccer scores from 95 yards out in the 63rd minute of SMUs 3-2 upset victory at No. 16 Tulsa on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The goal was ...

Blog Season Preview

2009-10-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Every year, Blazersedge participates in a national network of blog season previews. This year is no exception. For regular readers, there's not going to be a ton of new stuff in this preview, although I do make a win prediction at the end for your mocking and criticizing pleasure.

Team Name: Portland Trail Blazers

Last Year’s Record: 54-28

Key Losses: Channing Frye, Channing Frye’s Blog, Shavlik Randolph, Shavlik Randolph’s Valued Blazersedge Contributions, Mike Ruffin, Mike Ruffin’s Minivan, Raef LaFrentz’s Expired Contract, Sergio Rodriguez

Key Additions: Andre Miller, Juwan Howard, A Healthy Martell Webster, Greg Oden’s Confidence, Dante Cunningham, Jeff Pendergraph, No Sergio Rodriguez

1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?

It was a relatively quiet offseason for Kevin Pritchard, quieter than many fans had hoped for. No splashy draft day trades, unless you count the Sergio Rodriguez dump to Sacramento. The true excitement came in a trio of moves and non-moves: the failed courtship of Hedo Turkoglu, the cap-busting toxic offering of Paul Millsap, and the rebound relationship scoop up of Andre Miller.

Ironically, Miller, the team's third choice, addressed its biggest need – an upgrade over Steve Blake at the point guard position – better than either of the other two players. Optimists see this as fate intervening on Portland’s behalf. Pessimists might see this as Pritchard’s broken clock being right twice a day. Either way, Miller’s addition gives the Blazers one of the best 3 deep point guard rotations in the league and provides the team with another proven player who can create his own shots and help develop young, budding stars like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden.

Everything besides Dre was peanuts. Juwan Howard might fight for the scraps of backup minutes behind LaMarcus Aldridge. The rookies might get some Developmental League burn. Portland-area zoologists probably miss Mike Ruffin's exotic animal collection. Rudy needs to find a new wingman when he hits Aura late night. That's about it.

It wasn’t the best offseason – perhaps not the offseason that Pritchard envisioned when he decided not to trade Raef LaFrentz’s Expiring Contract back in February – but the Blazers roster is better this October than last, without question.

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

Rebounding, offensive efficiency, depth, versatility, late-game execution. Take your pick, there’s a lot to like about this group, a squad that will run 15 quality players deep once the roster is finally set. The front line is anchored by centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, who combine to own the boards like Crockett and Tubbs owned South Florida criminals. LaMarcus Aldridge’s 7 rebounds per game look soft by comparison and Travis Outlaw seems to gather roughly half of his rebounds by pulling them out of the arms of one of his centers. All those rebounds add up to extra possessions and second-chance points for the Blazers, who are loaded with solid shooters like Steve Blake, Rudy Fernandez, and Martell Webster.

But the Blazers also enjoy a strength that not many teams can match: a proven, reliable, consistent and intelligent late-game ball-handler, Brandon Roy, who draws fouls and gets into the lane better than all but a few NBA players. Roy’s penchant for late-game heroics – he claims with a straight face that he enjoys pressure – made for many memorable moments last year. A two-time All Star who inked a max extension this summer, Roy is playing for hardware from here on out. He knows that better than anyone.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

Although it might sound surprising on a team with such little roster turnover from last year, the team’s biggest weakness through 2 weeks of the pre-season is cohesion. Adding a new big-minute point guard to the rotation has everyone adjusting. Greg Oden’s continued development has everyone from the coaching staff down re-thinking his role with the team. Are there enough touches? Who meshes best with whom? What’s the optimal number of guys – from 8 to 12 – to play on any given night? These are the core questions for Coach Nate McMillan.

Another weakness – which will likely continue to be a weakness for years to come given the personnel – is team defense. While McMillan has committed his team to hard-and-fast rules and a specific system, asking his players to play pick-and-roles in a consistent manner and to religiously close out on shooters in hopes of decreasing their opponent’s field goal percentage, it’s unclear whether this group – from the top down, including Brandon Roy – has fully bought in. Some nights they do, some nights they don’t. Some plays they do, other plays they don’t. It was a problem last year in the playoffs, as Aaron Brooks and Yao Ming were a lethal one-two punch, and Luis Scola looked all-world. The players claim that they took to heart the importance of defense from that series, but there hasn't been a ton of evidence to support that during the pre-season.

4. What are the goals for this team?

Anything short of a division title and the second round of the playoffs would be a disappointment. Management, coaches and players have all set the bar that high, and they’ve done so with a confidence that borders on cockiness. Management feels they have assembled the right personnel (and lots of it!), the coaches feel they’ve added experience and savvy to a talented group of youngsters, and the players feel like they have something to prove after getting booted out of the first round by a tougher, more determined Houston Rockets team.

Pretty simple, really.

There are other goals: Aldridge and Oden want to make the All star team, Roy wants to be all-defense, a few Blazers reserves could be in the running for 6th man of the year, but those awards and accolades aren't the focus.

5. What’s up with Greg Oden?

Greg Oden, a player who has been off the national radar for the past 2+ years, has consistently been the brightest spot during the team's lackluster pre-season. During multiples stretches of play, he’s been the best player on the court, something that was never said about him during the 60+ games he played last season. He’s confident again, trimmed down and well-balanced on his legs, finishing with authority, and trusting his off-season work, which included the development of a number of simple, go-to moves around the basket. His offensive game is less robotic and more diverse; his defense is less choppy and more instinctive. He’s altering more shots while committing less fouls, exactly what every single fan, no matter how intoxicated, wanted to see from him last season.

I have privately taken to calling him Giggles Oden, as he seems to crack up at every question or comment I make to him regardless of the setting: pre-game, post-game, after practice, or anywhere else. Maybe I just look funny or talk funny (definitely a possibility)? Or maybe Greg just has his mind right, after an up-and-down season spent, at times, sulking on the bench and consulting with a sports psychologist. What’s clear this fall is that Greg is back to enjoying the game. He still has work to do, there’s no question about that, but he’s back to being a player you can’t help but root for.

While top draft picks are expected to provide big time contributions, production from Greg Oden has been an added bonus rather than a staple necessity for the Blazers over the last few years. 2010 is shaping up to be the year that starts to change, with the potential to be the big, breakout season everyone has been waiting for.

6. Bottom Line

There are plenty of reasons to be bullish on the Blazers and it seems darn near every analyst is. They’re protected against injury better than almost every team, going at least two deep at every position. They’re built to execute well in the halfcourt but they can run a little bit when needed, thanks to Miller. They’ve got big guards and little guards, athletic wings and physical wings, long 4s and big 5s: thanks to this depth and versatility, they’re far more prone to creating mismatches than getting exploited by them. They’re coming off a 54 win season, didn’t lose a single major piece and are a year more experienced than they were last season.

But entering this season, things aren’t quite clicking yet. And it seems like it could take some time.

At this point, a little more than halfway through October, I’ll get on board with a playoff series victory (possibly 2): all the pieces are there. Although they started the summer as likely Division favorites, I’m not sure I see the Blazers emerging on top of what will surely be a heated 3-team chase for the Northwest Division title.

That said, last year’s Blazers surpassed my expectations by 5 wins; this year’s Blazers are certainly capable of doing the same (if not better).

A trade deadline move to find that still-missing piece and to cut loose some expiring salaries could be what this group needs to make the full, deep post-season push that it desires. Trade or no trade, the team’s offensive efficiency, rebounding prowess and the presence of Brandon Roy should make for an entertaining year.

Predicted Record: 52-30. 2^nd in Northwest Division. 4^th Overall.

2009-2010 Jazz Preview

2009-10-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

Team Name: Utah Jazz

Last Year's Record: 48-34, 3rd in the Northwest, 8th in the West

(Key) Losses: In order of impact... Cap space, Matt Harpring (?), Morris Almond, Jarron Collins, Brevin Knight

(Key) Additions: In order of impact... "Bulk", Eric Maynor, Goran Suton (?), Wes Matthews/Ronald Dupree (?)

1- What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?

Well, the Jazz had a quiet off-season yet again. The biggest move seems to be the move to an even younger team that could cause major problems for Jerry Sloan, who seems to be hating everything (Brewer's D, AK's behind-the-back passes, Maynor's floater, Koufos' play, etc.) associated with this younger team. The team let Jarron Collins go, and will try to replace him (it seems) with a Koufos/Fesenko duo (or maybe the Koufos/Fesenko/Suton trio). All we know of the duo so far is that they can occasionally impress when called upon (Fesenko against the Lakers his rookie season, Koufos early last season when Okur was out). Oh, and they can dance. Unfortunately for the Jazz, this is the NBA, not the next season of So You Think You Can Dance?. Koufos almost has a cult following amongst Jazz fans (just check out SLC Dunk), but has shown nothing so far this preseason except for the amazing ability to have every single shot rejected. Fesenko didn't change his hair this off-season, but instead had issues with the Ukraine national team. Goran Suton is awesome, but will probably not end up with a contract because of Carlos Boozer the team is over the luxury tax limit.

Elsewhere, Jason Hart Brevin Knight was not brought back, and the team drafted Eric Maynor to replace him. Eric Maynor could potentially see some NBDL time... he is a rookie after all... meaning that the Jazz will finally give Ronnie Price (their best back-up PG option the last 2 years) some burn at back-up PG. The problem, of course, is that Price isn't really a PG that fits the system, but whatever. Sloan has been great at forcing players to change their game to fit his system for years, he can do it again. Maynor is a better PG than Price, but again he's a rookie. Plus his floater has not been falling early in his rookie career (summer league, preseason) and needs some work. Hopefully neither guy pulls out the Hart/Knight quarter-ending "move".

It seems likely that the Jazz will turn to Wes Matthews or Ronald Dupree, at least early in the season, with Matt Harpring potentially going to retire and CJ Miles out for a while. The Jazz need wings... and decided that they didn't like Morris Almond enough to keep him around. I don't blame them... I mean, who wants a wing that can score? Dupree's been in the league for a bit, Matthews not so much. Matthews has a solid shot (or has in the preseason) but faces one major obstacle... he's not a veteran.

Where this leaves the Jazz... with Harpring (33) gone, they have one player that is 30+ (Okur, who is 30) and 2 who are 28 (AK, Korver)... 3 if Dupree makes the team. Yeah, Portland & Minnesota & Oklahoma City are young, but the Jazz aren't exactly "old farts" either. Well, except for the coach, who's probably older than everyone on the Thunder added together.

2- What are the team’s biggest strengths?

The team is young, which means they are improving. But they still have a ton of experience. I've heard that counts for something.

The team was solid at the ESA again last season (33-8), though there are questions arising, I'd assume, with replacement refs and all. But still, the team seems to have a different kind of energy at home (nuclear, maybe?) and it carries them.

The offense is very efficient. The team is full of guys that are great at getting to the basket (with or without the ball) and scoring from up close (led by Brewer & AK). For the most part, the players are efficient when shooting, and if not, 'Sap & Booze have their backs.

There is a ton of depth on the team. While back-up PG is up in the air right now, the team is overflowing with wings (Brewer, Korver, AK, Miles when healthy, Matthews/Dupree?, Price). And the big-man rotation (Okur, 'Sap, Booze, AK) is solid, though missing the whole "height" thing. And a couple of them even play defense!

Carlos Boozer can yell "And 1!" with the best of them.

3- What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

Defense. I don't even wanna get into this again, but I guess I'll give it a shot. The starting bigs don't play any. The wings gamble a bit too often, though they do end up with a couple of steals here and there. What that gives you is a combo where opponents don't face much opposition when they try to drive in, and then face a couple of bigs who's concept of defense seems to have been cultivated by watching Jarron Collins defend Shaq (aka... hack away). And there still isn't a tall guy who seems like he'll be able to get minutes behind Okur.

Also like last year... road play. Consider this... the Nuggets went 21-20 on the road. The Jazz went 15-26. The Nuggets won the division by 6 games. And it's not like it's just good teams. The Jazz will lose to anybody. Too bad they can't act like a D-II school and get paid to come get hammered at your arena. Lakers, Spurs? Of course. Thunder, T-Wolves, Grizzlies, Knicks? Why not. Lose to 1, lose to them all.

Injuries. It's already started again, with CJ out for a while. Hopefully they can avoid them for the most part after the hell that was last year.

Fouls. This team loves to hack on defense. And with replacement refs that call EVERYTHING (literally), it could get ugly if they don't wake up and realize that fouling ≠ defense.

4- What are the goals for this team?

I wish I could say "Championship or Bust!" That's how I feel as a fan, every year, for all my teams. Yes, even the Pittsburgh Pirates. But lets be honest... injuries hurt the team last year, so the 8th spot might've been an anomaly. But still, teams around us improved and the Jazz did very little to their core. So I'm not going to expect a huge jump. But I have to think that the team competes for the Northwest all season, and gets to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs. Anything above that is just extra.

Also goals... finding a solid wing (Boozer trade?) and getting a top pick (via the Knicks, of course). One of them they can control, the other they can't. Lets see how it goes. Maybe someone (CJ? Matthews?) develops into the shooter this team needs?

Oh, and can we find a way to trade for Ryan Anderson? Please? Don't the Magic owe us for taking Gordan Giricek off of their hands?

5- Brevin Knight vs. Jason Hart. Who's better?

With that question, I'm pretty sure I just caused every Jazz fan to throw up a little with the "memories" running through their mind. For that, I apologize. And with that, here's hoping we've seen the end of the "importing ex-Clipper PGs" trend that stuck around for 2 seasons too long. And hopefully Jerry Sloan has finally learned that Ronnie Price needs to play. Maybe not as a PG, but he needs to see the court.
Projected Record: 52-30

WWE Monday Night Raw Online Streaming : Guest Host Snoop Dogg : 19 October 2009 - Part 6

2009-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Watch Monday Night Raw Online Streaming of 19,October 2009.

With Snoop Dogg as Guest Host and last Episode of Raw before Bragging Rights 2009.

Matches : Two of the biggest Superstars Triple H and John Cena Battle each other this match could be the last match of Cena if he loses to Randy Ortan in Bragging Rights Anything Goes Iron Man Match.5 on five Tag Team Match.HBK vs Jericho and more blockbusters matches.

Watch Live Monday Night Raw : Online HD Streaming

2009-10-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Watch Live Monday Night Raw : Online HD Streaming 19 October 2009

Watch Monday Night Raw 19th October 2009.Snoop Dogg will be hosting Raw and he is the biggest Celebrity yet to Guest Host Monday Night Raw.A Blockbuster match will be take place in Raw two of the most popular,most talented,most powerful and most dominant superstar will battle each other.A Wrestlemania Main event type of match will take Place between the Celebral Assassin The king of kings The Game Triple H against the Hustle Loyalty Respect Superstar John Cena.

Asin’s London Dreams

2009-10-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

South Sensation Asin made a smashing debut in Bollywood with Aamir Khan and from then on there has been no looking back for the doe-eyed beauty.

Asin will now share screen space with Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan in one of the most highly anticipated musical film of the year London Dreams. The multi-budgeted film has Salman and Ajay reuniting after almost 10 years and the audiences are waiting to see their onscreen camaraderie again. After the smashing success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Ajay and Salman haven’t finally got a chance to work together and director Vipul Shah promises fireworks.

While Vipul is all praise for his multi-talented leading male stars, he is in awe of his leading lady as well. Asin who had producers queuing for a chance to work with her after her debut film Ghajini was signed by Vipul for London Dreams well before her maiden venture. In London Dreams, Asin plays Priya, a young music enthusiast who joins Arjun’s (Ajay Devgan) rock band in London.