Liverpool became the first major casualty of this season's Champions League as they were eliminated on Tuesday, despite winning 1-0 against Debrecen.
Fiorentina's victory at home to Lyon was enough to send the Italians through to the second round, along with their opponents, and leave Rafael Benitez with more problems to deal with. He may be running out of time to turn things around at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Barcelona fared rather better. Finding themselves in a tricky spot, the Spaniards beat Jose Mourinho's Inter 2-0 to move into a strong position in Group F. Goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro sunk the Italians, who will need a win over Rubin Kazan at the San Siro to be sure of reaching the knockout stages.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Athletics: Bolt, Richards honoured
Usain Bolt and Sanya Richards remain the track stars on the road to the 2012 Olympics in London - and this week the pair collected their second IAAF World Athlete of the Year awards.
Bolt set new world records in the 100m and 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin this summer before completing a hat-trick of golds in the 4x100m relay.
Meanwhile, Richards also took centre stage in Germany, bagging 400m and 4x400m golds to banish the ghosts of her disappointing bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Bolt set new world records in the 100m and 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin this summer before completing a hat-trick of golds in the 4x100m relay.
Meanwhile, Richards also took centre stage in Germany, bagging 400m and 4x400m golds to banish the ghosts of her disappointing bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Soccer: Goals aplenty in London and Milan
The Premier League and Serie A kept supporters on the edge of their seats on Sunday.
In Italy, AC Milan edged a rollercoaster contest with Cagliari. The Rossoneri recovered from some scambolic defensive lapses to record an important 4-3 victory. Clarence Seedorf, Marco Borriello, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho all found their way onto the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, in London, Tottenham dished out a humbling 9-1 defeat to visiting Wigan. England international Jermain Defoe netted five in the rout, stirring memories of Manchester United's 9-0 trouncing of Ipswich back in the mid 1990s. The Wigan display was so inept that the players are rumoured to be repaying the supporters who made the long trip south for the game.
In Italy, AC Milan edged a rollercoaster contest with Cagliari. The Rossoneri recovered from some scambolic defensive lapses to record an important 4-3 victory. Clarence Seedorf, Marco Borriello, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho all found their way onto the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, in London, Tottenham dished out a humbling 9-1 defeat to visiting Wigan. England international Jermain Defoe netted five in the rout, stirring memories of Manchester United's 9-0 trouncing of Ipswich back in the mid 1990s. The Wigan display was so inept that the players are rumoured to be repaying the supporters who made the long trip south for the game.
CFL: Alouettes, Riders to contest Grey Cup
Montreal would have liked nothing more than a rematch with Calgary in the Grey Cup - and the Alouettes kept up their end of the bargain.
Behind Anthony Calvillo's five touchdown passes, Montreal crushed the B.C. Lions 56-18 in the CFL East Division final in front of 53,792 fans at the Olympic Stadium. Having lost to the Stampeders in last year's Grey Cup, the Alouettes were ready for revenge.
But a repeat of the 2008 final was not to be. Calgary fell short in the West Division final, losing to the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-17. Riders QB Darian Durant stole the show as he threw for 204 yards and earned the chance to end his first year as a starter in style.
It promises to be an exciting clash on Sunday but look for Montreal to come out on top.
Behind Anthony Calvillo's five touchdown passes, Montreal crushed the B.C. Lions 56-18 in the CFL East Division final in front of 53,792 fans at the Olympic Stadium. Having lost to the Stampeders in last year's Grey Cup, the Alouettes were ready for revenge.
But a repeat of the 2008 final was not to be. Calgary fell short in the West Division final, losing to the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-17. Riders QB Darian Durant stole the show as he threw for 204 yards and earned the chance to end his first year as a starter in style.
It promises to be an exciting clash on Sunday but look for Montreal to come out on top.
Tennis: Murray delivers timely reminder
Andy Murray might not have won a Grand Slam yet but he continues to mix it with the world's best. On Sunday, he put US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro to the sword in London, sending out a statement of intent ahead of next season.
The 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory gives the Scot a solid platform in Group A, where world number one Roger Federer also made a winning start against Fernando Verdasco.
On Monday, in Group B, Robin Soderling secured his second 2009 shock victory over Rafael Nadal, bagging their clash 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic outlasted Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
The 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory gives the Scot a solid platform in Group A, where world number one Roger Federer also made a winning start against Fernando Verdasco.
On Monday, in Group B, Robin Soderling secured his second 2009 shock victory over Rafael Nadal, bagging their clash 6-4, 6-4. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic outlasted Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
NBA: Magic looking legit contenders
Magic 104-96 Raptors
From Air Canada Centre, Toronto
The more you see of the 2009 Orlando Magic, the likelier they seem to push the Cavs and Celtics close again for a spot in the NBA Finals. Dwight Howard and his team-mates are on a revenge mission after losing out to the Lakers last season and, judging by this latest victory, they are legit contenders.
The Magic's busy off-season is paying dividends. Free agent forward Hedo Turkuglu departed, joining the Raptors, before the important trade that sent Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie to the Nets for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Now, coach Stan Van Gundy is reaping the benefits.
Carter endured a hostile reception from the fans in Toronto, where he first made his name, and struggled with his shot in the first half but recovered to pull the Magic through with 24 points on 9 of 24 shooting.
The former Raptor is the big-scoring, clutch shooting guard that Orlando have been crying out for and this strong performance followed a 26-point night in Boston earlier in the week.
Things have been stacked against Orlando from the start this season. Rashard Lewis missed 10 games after failing a drugs test, Carter sat out with an ankle injury and now Jameer Nelson is undergoing knee surgery. But the Magic keep churning out the Ws, moving to 12-3 with their second win of the season in Toronto.
They have all the tools needed to be the last team standing. Howard is a beast inside, crashing the glass and protecting the hoop. Offensively, he attracts double teams, which plays to the strengths of Orlando's outside shooters. Carter, Lewis and Nelson are just three of the team's potent 3-point threats.
Van Gundy also has a deep bench at his disposal, helping the Magic sail on despite key players being absent. Few coaches can call upon reserves of the calibre of JJ Redick, who dropped 19 points on the Raptors, Anderson, Marcin Gortat, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams. And it was Redick and Williams who helped the Magic pull away on Sunday in the fourth quarter.
There are plenty of tests ahead in the race for top spot in the East but Orlando have the players to last the course and make a big splash again come playoff time. With Carter on board, the Magic might just go one better in June.
From Air Canada Centre, Toronto
The more you see of the 2009 Orlando Magic, the likelier they seem to push the Cavs and Celtics close again for a spot in the NBA Finals. Dwight Howard and his team-mates are on a revenge mission after losing out to the Lakers last season and, judging by this latest victory, they are legit contenders.
The Magic's busy off-season is paying dividends. Free agent forward Hedo Turkuglu departed, joining the Raptors, before the important trade that sent Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie to the Nets for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Now, coach Stan Van Gundy is reaping the benefits.
Carter endured a hostile reception from the fans in Toronto, where he first made his name, and struggled with his shot in the first half but recovered to pull the Magic through with 24 points on 9 of 24 shooting.
The former Raptor is the big-scoring, clutch shooting guard that Orlando have been crying out for and this strong performance followed a 26-point night in Boston earlier in the week.
Things have been stacked against Orlando from the start this season. Rashard Lewis missed 10 games after failing a drugs test, Carter sat out with an ankle injury and now Jameer Nelson is undergoing knee surgery. But the Magic keep churning out the Ws, moving to 12-3 with their second win of the season in Toronto.
They have all the tools needed to be the last team standing. Howard is a beast inside, crashing the glass and protecting the hoop. Offensively, he attracts double teams, which plays to the strengths of Orlando's outside shooters. Carter, Lewis and Nelson are just three of the team's potent 3-point threats.
Van Gundy also has a deep bench at his disposal, helping the Magic sail on despite key players being absent. Few coaches can call upon reserves of the calibre of JJ Redick, who dropped 19 points on the Raptors, Anderson, Marcin Gortat, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams. And it was Redick and Williams who helped the Magic pull away on Sunday in the fourth quarter.
There are plenty of tests ahead in the race for top spot in the East but Orlando have the players to last the course and make a big splash again come playoff time. With Carter on board, the Magic might just go one better in June.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Soccer: Bent puts more pressure on Capello
With Fabio Capello edging ever closer to deciding on his squad for the World Cup next summer, Darren Bent is doing all he can to force his way into the Italian's plans.
The Sunderland striker might have struggled to impose himself in the friendly against Brazil but he keeps finding the net in the Premier League. Arsenal were the latest to pay the price, falling to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday thanks to Bent's 71st minute effort.
It was the former Tottenham man's ninth league goal of the campaign and the victory leaves the Black Cats hot on the heels of the top six. This kind of form is sure to keep Bent in Capello's thoughts.
The Sunderland striker might have struggled to impose himself in the friendly against Brazil but he keeps finding the net in the Premier League. Arsenal were the latest to pay the price, falling to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday thanks to Bent's 71st minute effort.
It was the former Tottenham man's ninth league goal of the campaign and the victory leaves the Black Cats hot on the heels of the top six. This kind of form is sure to keep Bent in Capello's thoughts.
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