After the first week of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, it is the USA sitting pretty at the top of the medal table with a haul of 20, including six golds.
The wily Germans are a distant second with 13 and Norway is third with a tally of 10, though half of those are golds.
Canada is next with eight medals but the hosts will look to make up ground as they are favourites to win gold in the men's and women's hockey.
Meanwhile, Great Britain grabbed its first medal of the Games as Amy Williams took gold in the skeleton, setting a track record in the process.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Cricket: Pietersen back among the runs
After a rough tour of South Africa, Kevin Pietersen is bouncing back in the Twenty20 series with Pakistan.
First, his unbeaten 43 set up England's comfortable victory in the 1st T20 and then a rapid 62 - from just 40 deliveries - helped post 148-6 in the 2nd T20.
In reply, Pakistan are rocking at 12-2.
First, his unbeaten 43 set up England's comfortable victory in the 1st T20 and then a rapid 62 - from just 40 deliveries - helped post 148-6 in the 2nd T20.
In reply, Pakistan are rocking at 12-2.
Soccer: Everton rock United's title challenge
Home grown talents Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell came off the bench to score the crucial goals as Everton stunned Manchester United 3-1 at Goodison Park.
Ten days after beating Chelsea 2-1, the Toffees produced another gritty display and deserved to take the points. Like against the Blues, Everton had to do it the hard way after falling behind to Dimitar Berbatov's smart finish. But Diniyar Bilyaletdinov levelled just two minutes later with a swerving strike into the bottom corner.
United had a couple of half chances in the second half, with the score at 1-1, but too often the final let them down and Wayne Rooney looked a shadow of the man who terrorised AC Milan in midweek.
And Gosling, a second half substitute, made the champions pay just under 15 minutes from time as he turned in Steven Pienaar's perfect cross. Sir Alex Ferguson, though, might well question Antonio Valencia's failure to track back and Patrice Evra's weak attempt to deny Gosling.
With Goodison Park rocking and United bombing forward, fellow sub Rodwell skipped past Jonny Evans, who had another shaky game, and fired low past Edwin van der Sar to seal the three points for Everton.
When all is said and done come May, Ferguson may well look back on this result as a killer blow in the title race.
Ten days after beating Chelsea 2-1, the Toffees produced another gritty display and deserved to take the points. Like against the Blues, Everton had to do it the hard way after falling behind to Dimitar Berbatov's smart finish. But Diniyar Bilyaletdinov levelled just two minutes later with a swerving strike into the bottom corner.
United had a couple of half chances in the second half, with the score at 1-1, but too often the final let them down and Wayne Rooney looked a shadow of the man who terrorised AC Milan in midweek.
And Gosling, a second half substitute, made the champions pay just under 15 minutes from time as he turned in Steven Pienaar's perfect cross. Sir Alex Ferguson, though, might well question Antonio Valencia's failure to track back and Patrice Evra's weak attempt to deny Gosling.
With Goodison Park rocking and United bombing forward, fellow sub Rodwell skipped past Jonny Evans, who had another shaky game, and fired low past Edwin van der Sar to seal the three points for Everton.
When all is said and done come May, Ferguson may well look back on this result as a killer blow in the title race.
NBA: Celtics grab another big win
Some people might be writing off the Boston Celtics' chances of winning an NBA title this season but the players have not stopped believing - and an easy win in Portland made it a great week for Doc Rivers' team.
Fresh from a gritty 87-86 victory over the Lakers in LA, Boston downed the Trail Blazers 96-76 with one of its best road wins of the season.
And the form of Ray Allen - the subject of plenty of trade whispers over the past few weeks - has been exceptional. He dropped 24 points against the Lakers on Thursday and added 21 in Portland on 9-15 shooting.
The Celtics shot 53% and held the Blazers to a measly 34%.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks scored a big win in Orlando while the Utah Jazz outgunned the Golden State Warriors.
The shock of the night came in Washington, where the Wizards - minus Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood - used a mammoth fourth quarter spurt to beat the Denver Nuggets. One night on from beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver blew a 13-point lead and wasted a 28-point outing from All-Star guard Chauncey Billups.
Fresh from a gritty 87-86 victory over the Lakers in LA, Boston downed the Trail Blazers 96-76 with one of its best road wins of the season.
And the form of Ray Allen - the subject of plenty of trade whispers over the past few weeks - has been exceptional. He dropped 24 points against the Lakers on Thursday and added 21 in Portland on 9-15 shooting.
The Celtics shot 53% and held the Blazers to a measly 34%.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks scored a big win in Orlando while the Utah Jazz outgunned the Golden State Warriors.
The shock of the night came in Washington, where the Wizards - minus Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood - used a mammoth fourth quarter spurt to beat the Denver Nuggets. One night on from beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver blew a 13-point lead and wasted a 28-point outing from All-Star guard Chauncey Billups.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
NBA: Anthony posts 40 as Nuggets end Cavs' win streak in OT
The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers might have upgraded with key moves ahead of the trade deadline but the Denver Nuggets have lofty ambitions of their own - just ask LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Denver signalled its intent to return to the Western Conference finals with a big 118-116 OT win in Cleveland, snapping the Cavs' 13-game win streak behind Carmelo Anthony's 40-point effort. James and Anthony went toe-to-toe throughout and the Cleveland man was unlucky to be on the losing team after pouring in 43 points to go with 15 assists and 13 rebounds.
The Nuggets got 18 points apiece from Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups, who missed a game-winning 3-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter.
In OT, Denver got ahead early and held their nerve as Billups found Anthony, who buried the go-ahead jumper with 1.9 seconds on the clock. It proved to be the winning bucket as James' desperate 3-pointer was off the mark as time expired.
The Cavs were without the recently-acquired Antawn Jamison but the former Wizards power forward was courtside with his new team-mates and Cleveland could have done with Jamison down the stretch.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets improved to 13-13 on the road and continue to show they can win anywhere - even if they have slipped up in Sacramento, Detroit and Charlotte already this season. This was Denver's latest big road scalp and coach George Karl must be encouraged by the way Billups and Anthony continually step up down the stretch. On several occasions, Karl opted not to call a timeout late in the game, knowing that Billups, in particular, would make the smart play.
Things get no easier for the Nuggets in the near future with games against the Celtics and the Lakers on the horizon. But Denver seems to save its best for the playoff-type contests and, with Anthony on fire, will fancy its chances against anyone.
Denver signalled its intent to return to the Western Conference finals with a big 118-116 OT win in Cleveland, snapping the Cavs' 13-game win streak behind Carmelo Anthony's 40-point effort. James and Anthony went toe-to-toe throughout and the Cleveland man was unlucky to be on the losing team after pouring in 43 points to go with 15 assists and 13 rebounds.
The Nuggets got 18 points apiece from Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups, who missed a game-winning 3-pointer at the end of the fourth quarter.
In OT, Denver got ahead early and held their nerve as Billups found Anthony, who buried the go-ahead jumper with 1.9 seconds on the clock. It proved to be the winning bucket as James' desperate 3-pointer was off the mark as time expired.
The Cavs were without the recently-acquired Antawn Jamison but the former Wizards power forward was courtside with his new team-mates and Cleveland could have done with Jamison down the stretch.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets improved to 13-13 on the road and continue to show they can win anywhere - even if they have slipped up in Sacramento, Detroit and Charlotte already this season. This was Denver's latest big road scalp and coach George Karl must be encouraged by the way Billups and Anthony continually step up down the stretch. On several occasions, Karl opted not to call a timeout late in the game, knowing that Billups, in particular, would make the smart play.
Things get no easier for the Nuggets in the near future with games against the Celtics and the Lakers on the horizon. But Denver seems to save its best for the playoff-type contests and, with Anthony on fire, will fancy its chances against anyone.
Soccer: Liverpool limp to victory
Liverpool needed an 81st minute winner from David Ngog to beat Unirea Urziceni 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League tie.
While the clean sheet pleased boss Rafa Benitez, the Reds are still well below their best, which is a worrying sign ahead of a huge weekend clash with Manchester City.
Unirea still have it all to do at home in the second leg but it would be just typical of Liverpool's season if they threw away the advantage when they travel to Romania.
While the clean sheet pleased boss Rafa Benitez, the Reds are still well below their best, which is a worrying sign ahead of a huge weekend clash with Manchester City.
Unirea still have it all to do at home in the second leg but it would be just typical of Liverpool's season if they threw away the advantage when they travel to Romania.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
NBA: Nuggets attempt to halt Cavs' streak at 13
The Denver Nuggets' tough February schedule continues as they travel to Cleveland for their first game after the All-Star break, hot on the heels of the sad news about George Karl's battle with cancer.
LeBron James and the Cavs have won 13 straight games and boast an outstanding home record but will have their hands full coping with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Plus, the Nuggets have saved some of their best performances for big road games this season, winning twice in San Antonio to go with victories in LA, Utah and Portland.
Cleveland continue to look for a deal ahead of the trade deadline, with Amar'e Stoudemire and Antawn Jamison heading the wishlist. But the Cavs are doing just fine as they are and tomorrow's clash could well be a classic.
LeBron James and the Cavs have won 13 straight games and boast an outstanding home record but will have their hands full coping with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Plus, the Nuggets have saved some of their best performances for big road games this season, winning twice in San Antonio to go with victories in LA, Utah and Portland.
Cleveland continue to look for a deal ahead of the trade deadline, with Amar'e Stoudemire and Antawn Jamison heading the wishlist. But the Cavs are doing just fine as they are and tomorrow's clash could well be a classic.
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