Monday, May 11, 2009

Today's Sports

Barca offers United red card deal
Barcelona will lobby UEFA on behalf of Manchester United for Darren Fletcher to be allowed to play in the Champions League final, in the hope that European football’s governing body will in return lift its suspension of at least one of the Catalan club‘s banned defenders.
The proposal was put by Barça head coach Pep Guardiola, whose bosses will now appeal against the red card shown to left-back Eric Abidal in the second leg of the semi-final against Chelsea. United have set a precedent in that, unusually, Uefa will tomorrow hear an appeal from them against Fletcher‘s red card, handed out in the match at Arsenal.
“I‘d like to see all of them play in the final, that means Fletcher, Abidal and Dani Alves,” Guardiola said on Sunday, though his club believes Abidal‘s circumstances present a far stronger case than Alves, who was booked after a clash with Ashley Cole. “We should see if we are able to make some kind of agreement with Manchester United. Fletcher got a touch on the ball and as far as Abidal is concerned, the foul given against him was not a foul. They should both be allowed to play.”
Guardiola’s move reflects a growing sense in Spain and in Europe generally that the Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo had a disastrous night at Stamford Bridge. Johan Cruyff, the former Barcelona player and coach, said the referee’s performance “could hardly have been worse. He unfairly sent off Abidal, who didn‘t even touch Anelka.
“He was incapable of seeing the penalty against Gerard Pique and from the other ‘half-penalties’ he ought in the end to have signalled at least one. It‘s obvious that in a semifinal of so much intensity, bravery and battling, you don’t deserve refereeing like that.”

Tevez inspires United’s derby win
Manchester United moved a step closer to retaining the Premier League title after beating rivals Manchester City.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s deflected free-kick put United ahead after wrong-footing keeper Shay Given, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.
Carlos Tevez struck the City woodwork before powering in a 20-yard strike off the post to extend United’s advantage.
Robinho wasted City’s best chance when he shot wide from eight yards as the home side eased to victory.
United had gone into the game having seen Liverpool draw level with them at the Premier League summit with a win at West Ham on Saturday.
Rafael Benitez’s side was hoping the pressure would produce a wobble from the Old Trafford side but, instead, United‘s pace, power and passing was too much for City.
United has a habit of timing their good form for the end of season run in and, even though this was their 62nd match of the season, they showed little sign of letting the league title slip from the team’s grasp.
The hosts quickly set about City and Ronaldo teed up Ji-Sung Park, who dragged his angled shot wide of the far post.
United had slipped into its slick passing game and it did not take long for the team’s pressure to be rewarded with a goal after City midfielder Vincent Kompany lost possession.

Tevez vows to leave Man United
Carlos Tevez has said he thinks he will leave Manchester United in the summer.
“I am very sad about this but I guess what I‘m saying is goodbye,” the striker told the News of the World.
“I don‘t think I‘ll be a United player next season. I‘ve done everything I possibly can but they have never made me an offer or given me a contract.
“I have not been treated as a member of the family. The fans treat me like family but United have not signed me so they don‘t respect me as a footballer.”
Tevez joined United in the 2007 close-season on a two-year loan deal which ends this summer.
His first English club was West Ham and he became a free agent when his agent Kia Joorabchian paid the Hammers a £2m settlement.
Tevez said he is still committed to helping United this season, despite not holding down a regular place in the side, adding, “I still have the same hunger and I will give my all to win the last two trophies we are chasing so I can move on knowing I have done everything for the team.
“Things have changed dramatically this season. I was dropped but didn‘t perform badly. Sir Alex never gave me an explanation but I never asked him for one because it is not in my character.”
The Argentine international said he would not rule out moving to one of United‘s Premier League rivals at the end of the season.
“It‘s not true my family are unhappy in England. It‘s not true I want to leave England for Spain.
“My four-year-old daughter is learning English and my wife is very happy living in England.
“We want to stay. I want to play in England because it is the best league in the world and it suits my style.

”Williams hits out at injury rules
World number two Serena Williams has blasted the WTA Tour over its policy for dealing with players who pull out of tournaments through injury.
Williams claimed that players would be fined for pulling out of a tournament even if they were dead.
The outburst came after an injured Williams felt it necessary to play at the Andalucia Tennis Championships.
“It doesn‘t matter if you‘re injured, dead or alive, if you don‘t play they will fine you heavily,” she said.
“So I have to play whether I am injured or not. That‘s just how it is so I have no choice.”
Williams suffered a shock first-round defeat to Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic in the first round in Marbella.
The American had suffered a thigh strain in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami the previous week and lost to Belarussian teenager Victoria Azarenka.



Big Baby: Davis' buzzer beater lifts Celtics 95-94
ORLANDO, Fla. - The defending champions aren't giving up their crown easily. Glen Davis made a 21-foot jumper as time expired to help the Boston Celtics hold off a furious rally and defeat the Orlando Magic 95-94 on Sunday night to even their Eastern Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

More Stories
Rockets rip Lakers 99-87 without Yao, even series
Stenson shoots 66 to blow away field at Players
Manny meets with Dodgers owner about suspension
Bruins bounce back, beat 'Canes 4-0 in Game 5

Baseball News
Giants beat Dodgers 7-5 in 13
LOS ANGELES - Randy Winn hit a tiebreaking two-run single with the bases loaded in the 13th inning and finished with four hits, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Cardinals overcome 5 homers to beat Reds in 10
CINCINNATI - Paul Janish swung at the game's 401st pitch and hit it high and foul, leaving plenty of room for St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols to drift over, make the catch and finally end the game. And, what a game! Even the losers had to smile.
Papelbon closes out big sports night in Boston
BOSTON - The crowd had barely stopped cheering the Bruins' and Celtics' highlights when Jason Bay lofted the go-ahead RBI double off the Green Monster.

Football News
Falcons' top pick has mild knee sprain
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith says first-round draft pick Peria Jerry has a mild right knee sprain.
Lineman J.D. Quinn agrees to deal with Dolphins
MIAMI - Undrafted offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, whose brief career at Oklahoma led to NCAA sanctions, has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins.
Undrafted QB Wilson hoping for chance with Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - John Parker Wilson waited all weekend to throw a pass to Tony Gonzalez.

Basketball News
Dave Bing being sworn in Monday as Detroit mayor
DETROIT - Former NBA star Dave Bing will be sworn in Monday as Detroit's third mayor in eight months.
Rockets beat Lakers without Yao, even series 2-2
HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets never doubted they could still beat the Los Angeles Lakers without Yao Ming. The Lakers better believe it, too. Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34 points, Shane Battier sank five 3-pointers and added 23, and the Rockets beat the Lakers 99-87 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

Big Baby: Davis' buzzer beater lifts Celtics 95-94
ORLANDO, Fla. - The defending champions aren't giving up their crown easily. Glen Davis made a 21-foot jumper as time expired to help the Boston Celtics hold off a furious rally and defeat the Orlando Magic 95-94 on Sunday night to even their Eastern Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

Soccer News
Barcelona fail to wrap up Spanish League title
MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona must wait another week to clinch the Spanish title after Jose Llorente scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser as Villarreal gatecrashed the party with a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Chelsea demolish Arsenal as Man United beat City
LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink delivered a damning verdict on the gap between Arsenal and the rest of the 'big-four' after his side handed the Gunners their heaviest home league defeat for 32 years.
Inter close in on title despite draw
ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan closed in on the Serie A title despite being held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Chievo on Sunday after rivals AC Milan failed to take advantage with a 1-1 stalemate against Juventus.

Hockey
Bruins D Ward examined for broken facial bone
BOSTON - Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward left Sunday night's playoff game with what team doctors fear is a broken orbital bone after he was punched by Carolina's Scott Walker.
Bruins bounce back, beat 'Canes 4-0 in Game 5
BOSTON - Tim Thomas stopped 19 shots for his first NHL playoff shutout to help the Boston Bruins keep their season going with a 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night.
Red Wings beat Ducks 4-1, taking 3-2 series lead
DETROIT - Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, Darren Helm and Henrik Zetterberg scored, helping the Detroit Red Wings beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Sunday.

College Sports News
Georgia suspends 2 players
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia has suspended two football players, including tight end Bruce Figgins for six games, for violating team rules.
Pitino denies rumors that he's returning to NBA
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville coach Rick Pitino says there is "absolutely no truth" to the rumors that he is returning to the NBA.
SDSU's Strasburg tosses no-hitter vs. Air Force
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the possible No. 1 overall draft pick next month, threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Air Force on Friday night.
Tennis News
Murray keen to improve tennis ranking
MADRID, May 11, 2009 (AFP) - Andy Murray is proud of his new world number three ranking, achieved for the first time Monday as the Scot prepares for his start at the Madrid Masters.
Tennis star Gasquet suspended in cocaine case
PARIS (AFP) - French tennis star Richard Gasquet, who tested positive for cocaine during the Miami Masters in March, was provisionally suspended on Monday, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) told AFP.
Home boy Djokovic triumphs in Belgrade
BELGRADE (AFP) - World number three Novak Djokovic won the inaugural ATP Serbia Open claycourt tournament by beating Polish lucky loser Lukasz Kubot 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) in front of his home crowd here on Sunday.

Golf News
Kerr's birdie on 15 gives her Michelob victory
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - There was a time not too long ago when Cristie Kerr's confidence was tenuous enough that she didn't allow herself to admit she was an elite golfer.
Stenson shoots 66 to blow away field at Players
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Henrik Stenson gained fame when he stripped down to his underwear and played from a muddy water hazard at Doral two months ago.
Cejka struggles early, fades at Players
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Alex Cejka began the final round of The Players Championship with the largest 54-hole lead in the tournament's 36-year history.

Motor Sports News
Matos tops an eventful 2nd qualifying day at Indy
INDIANAPOLIS - With so many veteran drivers trying to make it into the field for the Indianapolis 500 on the second day of qualifications, it seemed unlikely the spotlight would fall on rookie Raphael Matos.
Veteran Andretti crashes at Indy 500 practice
INDIANAPOLIS - Veteran driver John Andretti has crashed at practice for the Indianapolis 500, the third crash of the day.
Martin wins Darlington's wreck-filled Southern 500
DARLINGTON, S.C. - Don't let Mark Martin's joyful demeanor fool you — he knows how well he's running and knows where that could lead this season. "It's early in the year," Martin said Saturday night. "A lot of cool things could happen the way things are going." Like maybe a Sprint Cup championship?

Olympics
USOC terminates deals, but negotiations continue
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Olympic Committee has withdrawn from three agreements designed to keep its headquarters in Colorado Springs, though the federation is still negotiating in hopes of seeing the projects completed.
No regrets for Cohen as she eyes 3rd Olympics
Sasha Cohen feels she can be even better than when she won the Olympic silver medal in 2006. The figure skater also knows she'd regret it if she didn't try for the Vancouver Games.
Sochi Olympic construction begins as clock ticks
SOCHI, Russia - A dumptruck decorated with a Russian flag rattles down a dirt track on a massive fenced-in field, kicking up a plume of dust.
NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield fails drug test
DARLINGTON, S.C. - Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Saturday for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened new policy that went into effect this season.
LeBron's 47 gives Cavs win and 3-0 series lead
ATLANTA - The Cleveland Cavaliers were actually being challenged. Finally, LeBron James had seen enough. James scored 47 points in his best game yet of these playoffs, leading the Cavaliers to the brink of their second straight postseason sweep with a 97-82 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Manny meets with Dodgers owner about suspension
LOS ANGELES - Frank McCourt is counting on Manny being man enough to apologize to his teammates for the awkward position he put them in last week — and the sooner, the better.

No comments:

Post a Comment

default HTML tags