LOVE YOU LOVE SPORT: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Becks wants Olympics glory

David Beckham admits he would love to appear for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympic - if he is still playing.
Beckham, 33, has a contract with Los Angeles Galaxy until 2012 and has not ruled out appearing or even captaining Great Britain's team at the London Games.
The England midfielder arrived in Beijing today ahead of the Olympics closing ceremony, in which he is playing a leading role in London 2012's set.
He said: "I will be 37 so I'm not sure I will still be playing. But you never know, at the end of the day I'm just going to be happy to be involved.
"I will definitely be there, but whether it's playing or not I'm not so sure about that one."
Beckham said he believed football deserved its place in the Olympics despite the controversy over whether clubs should be forced to release players for the tournament.
He added: "For me, football is the best sport in the world so for me it should be top of the list.
"There are so many other great sports and so many other athletes who have worked so hard to get here, but it's still important.
"There are great players and great teams over here so it's still my number one sport, whether or not it is looked at as different."
Meanwhile Beckham believes Usain Bolt should carry on showboating and said he has been awed by the Jamaican sprinting superstar.
Bolt, who clinched his third sprinting gold and third world record of the Games on Friday night, has been criticised by International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge for showing a lack of respect towards his fellow runners.
But Beckham gave his backing to Bolt saying: "I think he's great. If you're that good - and he breezed through all the early stages and then turned it on for the finals, it's so impressive if you can do that.
"He's so talented and has got so much confidence. It's such a big stage and the whole world is watching, so if you can perform like he has then you can gloat - and it's good to see."

by espnstar.com/football/other-football/news

Champions League Tuesday Review

Arsenal returned to winning ways with a big win over Porto while Dimitar Berbatov scored his first goals for Man United.

Arsenal took control of Group G after their 4-0 thumping of Portuguese side FC Porto. Robin van Persie scored twice for the Gunners. Fenerbache were held by Dynamo Kiev to a goalless draw in the other group game.
In Group E, Manchester United played their best side as promised by Sir Alex Ferguson and the Red Devils romped to a comfortable 3-0 win with Bebartov breaking his duck for the defending European champions. Primera Liga pace-setters Villarreal beat Celtic 1-0 with a hotly-disputed free-kick by Marco Senna to move joint-top with Man United.
Both games in Group F ended up in draws. Bayern were held 1-1 by Lyon while Steaua escaped Florence with a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina.
Real Madrid came away from Russia with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Zenit St Petersburgto go two points clear in Group H - the group of death. Juventus were surprisingly hed to a 2-2 draw with BATE.
To complete the experience, why not check out the Champions League photo-gallery here.
* Matchday 3 will be played on 21/ 22 October 2008.
by espnstar.com/football/champions-league/news

Sneijder plans van Persie chat

Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder has revealed he plans to speak to team-mate Robin van Persie about the disagreement over a free-kick at Euro 2008.

In the quarter-final defeat to Russia, Van Persie went against what had been agreed and took a set-piece himself, failing to score.

"We never spoke about this again, because we left Switzerland the day after and I haven't played for the Oranje since then," the Real Madrid star, who suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season, told Voetbal International magazine.

"I don't want to say that I would have scored a goal, but it's simply a matter of agreements.

"As soon as we see each other again, I will speak with Robin about it.

"We don't have to make a big issue out of it but I want to make it clear that everyone must keep to the agreements."

by espnstar.com/football/news

Zanetti in confident mood

Internazionale captain Javier Zanetti is confident his team will bounce back from Sunday's derby defeat in Wednesday's Champions League Group B showdown against Werder Bremen.

Jose Mourinho's outfit lost 1-0 to arch rivals AC Milan in a thrilling derby at the weekend, ending the champions' unbeaten run in Serie A this term.

"Milan won the derby but we look ahead with optimism," said the 35-year-old. "We must try to get our second win in the Champions League."

He added: "There are so many games left in the season that it's early days yet.

"Mourinho told us after the game that we should think about Wednesday's encounter because there was nothing we could do about the derby result."

Mourinho added: "I like to say that when we win, it is the merit of my players and when we lose it's my fault.

"Hence, this defeat was lost by me, but it's nothing to worry about."

Adriano is set to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front for the Nerazzurri and defenders Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso are likely to start, despite being suspended for Saturday's league game against Bologna.

Inter have won three of their last four matches at the San Siro.

by espnstar.com/football/news

Puyol defends Barca players

Carles Puyol defended his team-mates over allegations from Espanyol that they helped incite the crowd trouble Saturday.

Espanyol general director Pedro Tomas claimed on Monday that his club would be reporting the "provocative behaviour" of some of the Barca players to the anti-violence commission.

The match, which Barca eventually won 2-1 thanks to two late goals, was stopped and the players left the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys pitch for several minutes during the second half following ugly scenes in the stands where flares were thrown in the direction of the home fans.

"We will report the behaviour of some of the Barca players, celebrating the goal, but also encouraging and provoking the violent members of the crowd," said Tomas.

However, Puyol has responded by saying: "This is totally out of place. We are surprised. In those moments of tension, when your pulse is going 180 a minute, we were happy because we had scored a goal and we only intended to celebrate it with the fans, because in this section we also had friends and family.

"At no moment was our intention to salute the violent fans - the minority who have thrown the flares.

"The dressing room and Barcelona do not feel represented by those that threw the flares, the same as that the person who threw the bottle at (Barca goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos) Unzue does not represent Espanyol.

"The players are 100% against violence."

The Spain international added: "I apologise if these celebrations annoyed anyone. The players like to think about football and if there is anyone who is always against violence, it's us."

by espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news

Vijay withdraws from Asia events

Vijay Singh will skip a pair of Asian events to take a two-month break in order to recover from niggling injuries.

The 45-year-old, who clinched the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-off title on Sunday, was scheduled to compete at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia from October 30 to November 2 and the HSBC Champions in Shanghai from November 6 to 9.

However, the Fijian will now miss both events and is not scheduled to return until the Father/Son Challenge and the Tiger Woods World Challenge, both in December.

"I've been hurt a lot," said Singh, who spent his formative years as a professional golfer in Asia.

"My arm still hurts and my back still hurts, so I'm going to take some time off and get myself in good shape physically and see if I can come out stronger."

Singh finished in a tie for 22nd at the season-ending Tour Championship last weekend but secured a USD 10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup following victories at The Barclays and Deutsche Bank Championship.

by espnstar.com/golf/news

Serena to open against China's Li

Serena Williams faces Na Li when she makes her first appearance since winning the US Open at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Na Li set up the second-round meeting by coasting to a 6-1 6-2 victory over Nicole Vaidisova as the tournament got underway on Monday.

The world's top-ranked player, Williams collected her ninth career Grand Slam title earlier this month at Flushing Meadows, where she stormed through a loaded draw before edging Jelena Jankovic in the final.

Williams headlines another tough draw at this hardcourt event, which will feature eight of the world's top-10 ranked players. The top four seeds received first-round byes.

Jankovic, the world number two, is seeded second and hopes to continue her recent stellar play after winning the title last week at Beijing.

She will take on the Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko, who swept past Greece's Eleni Daniilidou, 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 on Monday.

World number three Dinara Safina is seeded third, followed by fellow Russians Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova, ranked fifth and seventh, respectively.

Dementieva opens play against Austria's Sybille Bammer, who ousted Germany's Tatjana Malek, 4-6 6-2 7-5, in Monday's only other match.

Venus Williams is the sixth seed while Vera Zvonareva, the world's ninth-ranked player, and world number 10 Agnieszka Radwanska received the seventh and eighth seeds.

by espnstar.com

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Ronnie dedicates Milan goal

Derby hero Ronaldinho has dedicated his match winner to AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi and the Rossoneri fans.
Milan claimed their third Serie A victory on the trot and more importantly, a crucial psychological edge over their bitterest rivals thanks to a Ronaldino header.
The Brazilian could have picked a more symbolic moment to open his account in the red and black stripes of Milan, inflicting Jose Mourinho's first loss as Inter Milan coach and reserved special mention for the fans and Berlusconi after the match.
"I am very pleased," said the Brazilian after the match in an interview with SKY. "I was hoping to score a goal as the fans here make me feel at home."
"Here in Milan, everyday I feel more at home," explained the 28-year-old.
"It is a moment of great celebration."
"I know that tomorrow is the birthday of President Berlusconi, the goal is also for him."
by espnstar.com/football/news

BPL Soccer Sunday Review

Amr Zaki converted a debatable penalty to give Wigan a narrow 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the JJB Stadium on Sunday.

Referee Steve Bennett gave the spot-kick in the 34th minute after Javier Garrido was deemed to have brought down Wilson Palacios inside the box but the contact looked minimal.
Antonio Valencia had earlier seen his spectacular 16th-minute opening goal cancelled out by Vincent Kompany's close-range finish from an Elano free-kick five minutes later.
Earlier, Jermain Defoe scored a first-half penalty against former club Tottenham before Peter Crouch added a second to give Portsmouth a 2-0 victory at Fratton Park and leave Juande Ramos' hapless side rooted to the bottom of the table.
Spurs, now without a win in six league games, fell behind to a Defoe penalty in the 34th minute after Jermaine Jenas handled.
The visitors had a spot-kick appeal of their own denied by referee Mike Dean when Lassana Diarra, later sent off for two yellow cards, clearly appeared to handle substitute Aaron Lennon's 53rd minute cross.
And Spurs were buried by Crouch's header following Heurelho Gomes' parry of Armand Traore's 67th-minute shot.
Click here for reactions from Super Sunday!
by espnstar.com

Beckham happy to be on the bench

David Beckham insists he is happy to play a minor role for England in their attempts to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Beckham has 105 caps to his name but has found his place under threat from a host of younger right-sided players, not least Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott who scored a hat-trick against Croatia in Beckham's place in Zagreb.

Walcott's elevation to the starting XI reduced the 33-year-old former captain to a pair of cameos in the recent qualifiers against Croatia and Andorra and, with Beckham based in Los Angeles, there have been questions over whether a bit-part place will be enough to justify his participation.

But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man is ready and willing to do anything in his power to help manager Fabio Capello - even if it means warming the bench.

Beckham said: "I want to be part of the squad, part of these qualifiers and, hopefully, part of the team to the World Cup.

"If that means me coming on as sub or just even part of the squad, then I would be happy with that. I don't care whether I play or whether I don't.

"Of course I love to play for England but the much bigger thing is England winning and England qualifying."

He continued: "Whether I play is immaterial - it's about the team, about the squad. If I can carry on getting caps, getting on the field and helping the team in any way then I'll be happy.

"I would be happy going home having not even got off the bench. I'm in the squad, in the manager's mind and I'm there to support the team. I'm an England fan."

by espnstar.com/football

AC Milan vs Inter Milan Preview

Inter captain Javier Zanetti is wary of an improving AC Milan outfit ahead of their derby match at the San Siro on Sunday.

Inter have held the bragging rights over their co-tenants in recent times having won the past three Scudetto titles.

And while life under new boss Jose Mourinho is only in its early stages, the signs are good for the Nerazzurri to again push for honours as they lead the table after four games.

AC Milan by contrast have struggled in the recent past.

A fifth-placed finish last season has meant they will have to contend themselves only with UEFA Cup football on the continent while coach Carlo Ancelotti came under fire after the team lost their opening two matches of the season.

The gloom around the club has lifted somewhat in the past week after their 3-1 UEFA Cup win over FC Zurich was followed by back-to-back triumphs in the league.

The most notable of those was a 4-1 victory over the previously unbeaten Lazio at the San Siro last weekend and Zanetti - a veteran of 600 games with Inter - knows better than to underestimate their closest rivals.

"We respect Milan," Zanetti said. "They have grown and it will be a very combative game as all the derby games are.

"We hope that we can do what we are able to do which is to win."

The season is young, yet Inter know they can deliver a psychological blow with a victory that would keep them at the top of Serie A.

Inter moved a point clear at the top following a 1-0 win over Lecce in midweek, with striker Julio Cruz scoring the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time.

"The derby is a special game and we are really eager to be in good form," Cruz said. "We know how much this game means to our fans. We are first in the standings and we want to go out and win this derby."

The expectation level is higher for Milan ahead of the 149th derby since 1929.

Ancelotti has been relieved by his side's improvement during the past week and is in a positive frame of mind ahead of the derby encounter.

"In a week, we have taken many steps forward," admitted Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"We have played many derbies in the past and on many occasions we have come out with a smile."

Portuguese tactician Mourinho, who will experience his first derby having joined Inter this summer, will be hoping his team can level the numbers.

Milan have won four of their past six derbies as hosts, including last season's 2-1 triumph.

Ancelotti will be forced to alter his first-choice striker partnership.

Marco Borriello, who scored the opener in Wednesday's 2-1 win at Reggina, sustained a muscular injury and has been sidelined.

Andriy Shevchenko, who never lived up to his reputation at Chelsea where he played for Mourinho after a lucrative move from Milan, returned to the Rossoneri this summer.

Shevchenko, who has yet to score for the Rossoneri this season, is set to replace Borriello and partner Alexandre Pato up front with Kaka in support.

Mourinho is set to rely on attacking duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cruz to deliver up front.

Inter will be without midfielder Sulley Muntari, who serves his last match ban on Sunday.

by espnstar.com/football/serie-a/news

Fletcher: We musn't rely on Cristiano

Darren Fletcher does not expect another 42 goals from Cristiano Ronaldo this season, saying 20 would be enough.

Ronaldo showed there would be no hangover from the protracted transfer saga with Real Madrid when he nodded home his first goal of the season in Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough.

Given it was only his third senior appearance of the campaign - and his first start - another phenomenal season could be expected from the Portugal star.

However, Fletcher, who scored United's first two league goals of the season against Newcastle and Portsmouth, recognises the need for Ronaldo's team-mates to chip in as well.

"It was great to see Ronaldo come back and score again," said the Scotland midfielder.

"He is a fantastic player and his goalscoring record over the last couple of seasons has been ridiculous.

"It would be asking a lot of him to match or equal that but we know he is capable of 20 goals a season, which is an incredible return in itself.

"But other players have to chip in as well. If they can do that we will have goals from all over the place, which is important."

After opening the defence of their Champions League trophy with a draw against Villarreal, United will be looking for maximum points from their trip to Aalborg.

It is only two years since Sir Alex Ferguson's team went to Denmark and were beaten by FC Copenhagen.

Aalborg's opening draw with Celtic at Parkhead suggests they will not be the makeweights in Group E most pundits expected them to be.

However, Fletcher recognises the need for United to register an away success if the qualifying campaign is not to become unnecessarily complicated.

And the Edinburgh-born star senses a change in the Red Devils fortunes is imminent.

By following up the improved showing against Villarreal by coming within 11 minutes of ending Chelsea's incredible home record, United indicated they were back on track.

Tuesday's triumph over Middlesbrough merely confirmed that belief, even if the match-winning goals were only scored once Emanuel Pogatetz had been sent off.

Now Fletcher is demanding more of the same.

"We hope it is just a case of everything falling into place because we need to get on one of our long winning runs," he said.

"The same thing happened last season when chances were not being taken but eventually everything clicked and we want the same thing to happen again.

"At least we are creating chances, even if we have not been taking them. We would be more worried if we weren't.

"But I am sure the goals will eventually come because we have top quality players."

by espnstar.com/football/champions-league/news

Duo reach Thailand Open final

Australian Open finalists Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are set for an intriguing re-match at the Thailand Open.

The top-seeded Djokovic beat number three Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, 7-5 6-1 on Saturday to set up a re-match of January's Australian Open final against Tsonga, who hours earlier had beaten fourth seed and fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-0 6-3.

"It will be great to meet Jo once again," said Djokovic, who won his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne. "It will be very interesting to play him.

"It's the second time we play and again it's in a final. Anything can happen, I don't see myself as the favourite. Jo has been playing fantastic tennis this week and is very motivated."

Neither player had much of a problem in Saturday's semi-final play.

The third-ranked Djokovic fired six aces while winning all three break points to oust Berdych in 1 hour, 21 minutes.

"I used my opportunities," said the Serb, who has 10 career titles. "I had the feeling that I was sleeping through the first set and only woke up in the second."

Tsonga, who has not won a title, was even more impressive in eliminating compatriot Monfils in their first ATP main-draw meeting.

The world number 20 controlled the match from the beginning, winning three-quarters of his service points while converting four of his six break-point opportunities.

"I played unbelievably today," said Tsonga, who missed the French Open and Wimbledon after having knee surgery. "I hit the ball very well, but I wasn't moving too well. I have to move better in the final.

"I'm very happy to be in the final. I didn't expect this result in this tournament for me."

by espnstar.com

Roddick rockin' at China Open

Andy Roddick has advanced to the final of the China Open with a 6-2 6-7 (4/7) 6-1 victory over Germany's Bjorn Phau.

Roddick, ranked eighth in the world with 25 career titles to his credit, will face Dudi Sela of Israel in Sunday's title match.

On paper, the 92nd-ranked Sela does not look to have much of a chance against Roddick, but this has been an extraordinary week for the 23-year-old.

Sela pushed his way into the final with a 6-3 6-3 semi-final win over seventh-seeded Rainer Schuettler of Germany earlier on Saturday.

It marked his third victory over a seeded player this week, as he also picked off top seed David Ferrer and last year's runner-up Tommy Robredo, seeded six, en route to this stage.

If Sela can pull off another stunner against Roddick, he will become the first player from Israel to win an ATP singles title since Amos Mansdorf did so at Washington in 1993.

Roddick, however, has already brushed aside another tournament surprise - the 137th-ranked Phau was seeking his maiden ATP final appearance after upsets of defending champion Fernando Gonzalez, the third seed, and eighth seed Sam Querrey.

A win here would be a confidence boost for Roddick, who has endured an up-and-down season.

The 26-year-old has not hoisted a trophy since March, due in part to back and shoulder injuries that caused him to miss the French Open.

by espnstar.com/tennis/news

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Gerrard key to Liverpool hopes

Rafael Benitez wants the local passion of Steven Gerrard to drive Liverpool to Merseyside derby glory on Saturday.

And that is even though the Liverpool manager admitted he substituted Gerrard last season at Goodison Park because he was "showing too much passion".

Now Benitez expects to see Gerrard show a more mature approach to the 208th showdown between Liverpool and Everton, and to cap his display with the 100th goal of his Anfield career.

A Liverpool victory would not only extend their record of losing only two of their last 10 derby visits to Goodison, but also equal their best-ever Premier League start to a season after six games.

And Benitez knows Gerrard will be the key to maintaining the club's unbeaten start to the campaign.

He said: "It was a pity that Steven was denied his 100th goal for Liverpool against Stoke, but that I am sure will only motivate him more to score against Everton.

"Especially in a derby, it would be fantastic for him to get that goal, and I believe he can.

"He is always important to us. But more so in these type of games when local players are involved. Everyone knows he is key to us, and in this game more so.

"He can change games, win games and if he is not playing well he can still score and win matches for us.

"If he is playing well he is indestructible. He has the mentality and passion for these games and he is important to all the other players."

Liverpool completed the double over Everton last season, and have lost only two of their last 17 meetings with their neighbours.

But Benitez is looking beyond this local skirmish as he hopes Liverpool can continue to improve.

He said: "We have started the season well. We are improving, but only at 60% of our potential at the moment. If we keep improving we will get closer to what we want.

"I know that last season at Goodison Park I took Steven off because maybe he was playing with too much passion. At that point we needed to keep possession against 10 men, we needed to keep control.

"That was the idea. And it was Lucas - who came on and was calmer and more relaxed - who was able to create our winner. That was an important decision for the team, something I had to do. Maybe this time it will be Steven who wins the game for us."

He added: "You have to control your passion to win the game, to control yourself physically as well as mentally.

"The game is similar to when we play Manchester United. But then we know it is against one of the top teams and we are competing to be at the top of the table.

"With Everton it is all about us being neighbours, the games are similar, but not the same.

"As for Steven, he is one of four or five local players involved. They all understand and want to show their passion on the pitch, they want to give something back to the fans."

While Gerrard is aiming for his century of goals for the club, new signing Robbie Keane is still searching for his first after nine appearances.

Benitez said: "We are not worried about Robbie not having scored yet for us. He has a good record against Everton, so it would be just perfect for Gerrard to score his 100th in this game and for Robbie to break his duck.

"I have very good memories of our double over them last season, it was exciting for me and for the fans.

"But always we only want to win, whoever it is against. We want this three points to put us top of the table but I realise that this is special for the fans."

Referee Mike Riley can expect a busy afternoon. There have been seven red cards in the last seven meetings between the clubs and 16 in 32 Premier League clashes.

Benitez added: "There have been a lot of red cards in these games, and that is because players are under pressure. But the longer it goes on, these players mature and are able to handle the situation better.

"I only enjoy it if we win. Beforehand and during the match it can be very difficult.

"You can see that with the way people talk to you around the city in the build-up. All week I have had fans, from an old woman to young children, all calling out to me to say how much they want us to win."

by espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news

AC Milan vs Inter Milan Preview