The England National football team will try to put an end to their unlucky streak against Croatia next time both teams will be face each other in Zagreb during the second day of theWorld Cup 2010 European qualifying rounds. Group’s 6 great challenges will include the European champion - Spain receiving Armenia from Group 5; and World champion Italy playing at home against Georgia in Group 8 game.
Russia will begin its participation in the Group 4 when the team plays Gales in Moscow. In the meantime Holland will begin the competition in the Group 9 when it faces an uncomfortable game as visitors against Macedonia, where the head Coach Bert Van Marwijk will have his official début.
England’s Head Coach, the Italian Fabio Capello achieved his first victory on Sunday, when his team won over Andorra in Barcelona by 2 goals to zero, despitethe team leaving many doubts to the fans.
On the other hand, on Sunday Croatia won its first game 3-0 against Kazakhstan, which defeated the English National team as locals and visitors during the Euro 2008 qualifying rounds.
"Croatia is a great team, and the level and the quality of its players will be greater, they are very strong," said Capello, who expects the defender Rio Ferdinand to recover from a back wound after the Andorra’s game.
Spain began its competition on Saturday with a cautious victory 1-0 against Bosnia, the debut’s game for Coach Vicente Del Bosque and now Spain will have six points whenthe team meets Armenia. The Spaniard National team, which is in first position in the world ranking, was not what many expected during the game against Bosnia, very similar to what happened with Italy despite their difficult victory 2-1 against Cyprus.
Coach Marcello Lippi is working on improving his team’s performance in order to show better strategies against Georgia. Last Saturday Georgia lost 2-1 against Ireland in a disputed game in Germany.
Euro Cup runner-up the Russian team will show to be stronger than Gales and could easily assured three points if they keep in mind the major group’s obstacle is Germany. The Teutonic team will visit Finland with the great motivation after the defeat of 6 goals to zero against Liechtenstein.
Additionally, Holland will have its first game in the competition after a surprising rout against Australia in a friendly match played on Saturday. This is a more than good enough reason the team will need to recover in the coming game against Macedonia which recently lost while playing against Scotland.
Reviewing other games Lithuania and Austria were the first two surprises of the day as the teams achieved victories against Rumania and France respectively. Speaking of the French National team it is now clear the days of Raymond Domenech as Head Coach could possible come to an end if the French players fail to recover from the 3-1 loss they had in Vienna. The next match will be against Serbia and it will be played in Paris.
Stephen Lars has been a prominent writer on daily FIFA World Cup 2010 games, sports news and the online betting industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
2010: World Cup Soccer in South Africa
South Africa is not exactly one of those places where people plan a vacation and, therefore, with the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament to take place in South Africa, a great deal is being done to help prepare for an onslaught of visitors to the area. World Cut Soccer is, on many levels, something like the Olympics and baseball s World Series rolled into one; teams from around the world are already counting down and competing with their eyes on the World Cup in 2010 and fans are already looking into learning more about places to stay and even driving rules inSouth Africa.
All of this fans looking into lodging and travel, teams playing for a shot at making the tournament is already taking place. Even with almost two years to go before the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa, the official web site is documenting the way that teams are playing and that features a countdown to the event (with well over 600 days to go). So far, there are two hundred teams that have entered into the competition; two hundred teams that are aiming to be one of the thirty one teams that will compete.
Teams from Spain, England, France, Germany and Italy are all competing as representatives of European nations. Africa has a total of fifty three teams that are working their way through the preliminaries, with Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Swaziland, Togo and other nations participating. Asian nations that hope to be in thirty one teams who will compete for the 2010World Cup Soccer title in South Africa include Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia. New Zealand and Fiji are both vying for a position from Oceania.
On the other side of the globe, teams from North and Central America as well as the nations of the Caribbean are competing and preparing for a spot in the 2010World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa . So far, teams from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras are leading the way. From South America, thus far, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have taken the lead.
While it is far too soon to tell which nations will ultimately be among the thirty one spots in the 2010 World Cup tournament finals in South Africa, one thing is sure: each of the preliminary matches is grabbing the interest of soccer fans worldwide all of whom are hoping that their nation or their favorite team will ultimately be represented. Photos of matches are available online, match details have been made available and these are just the first steps: the2010 World Cup in South Africa will also offer live streaming coverage of the matches that are played; likewise, some preliminary matches will be aired live online.
The road to the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa is still long and winding, however that does nothing to slow down the ways in which players and fans have planned to travel it to reach their destination.
Payton Brooks is a senior sports writer at http://www.sportsviews.com. Read and rate more free articles like this one, create your own sports and challenge others at http://www.sportsviews.com, the biggest sports social network.
All of this fans looking into lodging and travel, teams playing for a shot at making the tournament is already taking place. Even with almost two years to go before the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa, the official web site is documenting the way that teams are playing and that features a countdown to the event (with well over 600 days to go). So far, there are two hundred teams that have entered into the competition; two hundred teams that are aiming to be one of the thirty one teams that will compete.
Teams from Spain, England, France, Germany and Italy are all competing as representatives of European nations. Africa has a total of fifty three teams that are working their way through the preliminaries, with Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Swaziland, Togo and other nations participating. Asian nations that hope to be in thirty one teams who will compete for the 2010World Cup Soccer title in South Africa include Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia. New Zealand and Fiji are both vying for a position from Oceania.
On the other side of the globe, teams from North and Central America as well as the nations of the Caribbean are competing and preparing for a spot in the 2010World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa . So far, teams from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras are leading the way. From South America, thus far, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have taken the lead.
While it is far too soon to tell which nations will ultimately be among the thirty one spots in the 2010 World Cup tournament finals in South Africa, one thing is sure: each of the preliminary matches is grabbing the interest of soccer fans worldwide all of whom are hoping that their nation or their favorite team will ultimately be represented. Photos of matches are available online, match details have been made available and these are just the first steps: the2010 World Cup in South Africa will also offer live streaming coverage of the matches that are played; likewise, some preliminary matches will be aired live online.
The road to the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa is still long and winding, however that does nothing to slow down the ways in which players and fans have planned to travel it to reach their destination.
Payton Brooks is a senior sports writer at http://www.sportsviews.com. Read and rate more free articles like this one, create your own sports and challenge others at http://www.sportsviews.com, the biggest sports social network.
2010 Mazda 3: What We Know So Far
The 2010 Mazda 3 is no stranger to the automotive press with dozens of spy shots popping up over the past few months and speculative renderings coming from all around the world. Because the Mazda 3 is Mazda s top selling vehicle in the U.S. it s not hard to see why it is drawing in so much excitement surrounding its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
The redesign couldn t come up at a better time for Mazda when, even in the midst of a languishing economy, the Mazda 3 continues to be a hot seller among the ultra competitive compact car segment against the likes of the newly revised Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Although nothing is set in stone (read: confirmed by Mazda) yet we have created a list of what to expect when the Mazda 3 is officially unveiled by Mazda:
First, the current 2.3 liter motor will be swapped out in favor of Mazda s 2.5 liter currently in the 2009 Mazda6. This will bring power up to around 170 hp, from the current 150 156 hp of the Mazda 3 s line and will offer both a six speed manual transmission and a five speed sport automatic transmission. The Mazda 3 i line is expected to carryover its 2.0 liter engine and transmission options.
Photos of the 2010 Mazda 3 prototype have showcased a new dual exhaust and large, more aggressively styled wheels. Its not yet known if the dual exhaust will remain exclusive to the s line or if the base model i line Mazda 3s will also receive the new exhaust setup
When it comes to design the 2010 Mazda 3 can best be described as evolutionary with a similar overall body profile and a few changes around the front and back. From the spy shots we can see styling cues borrowed from the newMazda6 and up front, with flared wheel arches and an upwardly sculpted front bumper reminiscent of the recent Mazdaspeed RX 8 concept car.
One styling point that s hotly debated is whether Mazda will add pronounced, sweeping body lines along the side of the next Mazda 3 to evoke styling elements from Mazda s popular Nagare concept car. While Mazda may sample some Nagare concept styling we don t think the lines will be quite as aggressive.
Following the Mazda6 s march towards luxury car dominance, the upcoming Mazda 3 has been spotted with previously unseen luxury amenities in the compact car segment like integrated mirror turn signals, Mazda s advanced keyless entry system with push button start, mp3 hard drive, and numerous steering wheel based controls.
These new features are in addition to the current Mazda 3 s options including HID headlights, auto rain sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, Bose sound system with aux input, lighted vanities, auto down driver s window, one touch moonroof and power seat controls.
None of the new features listed above are set in stone (they were observed on what appeared to be a near final prototype model during testing) it is very likely that the features will remain and be available on the final retail product. The stage is set and Mazda will officially reveal the 2010 Mazda 3 s design at theLos Angeles Auto Show which runs between November 17th and 26th.
Learn more about the 2010 Mazda 3, chat with other Mazda drivers and keep up to date on the latest Mazda news by visiting our site: http://mazda3revolution.com
The redesign couldn t come up at a better time for Mazda when, even in the midst of a languishing economy, the Mazda 3 continues to be a hot seller among the ultra competitive compact car segment against the likes of the newly revised Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Although nothing is set in stone (read: confirmed by Mazda) yet we have created a list of what to expect when the Mazda 3 is officially unveiled by Mazda:
First, the current 2.3 liter motor will be swapped out in favor of Mazda s 2.5 liter currently in the 2009 Mazda6. This will bring power up to around 170 hp, from the current 150 156 hp of the Mazda 3 s line and will offer both a six speed manual transmission and a five speed sport automatic transmission. The Mazda 3 i line is expected to carryover its 2.0 liter engine and transmission options.
Photos of the 2010 Mazda 3 prototype have showcased a new dual exhaust and large, more aggressively styled wheels. Its not yet known if the dual exhaust will remain exclusive to the s line or if the base model i line Mazda 3s will also receive the new exhaust setup
When it comes to design the 2010 Mazda 3 can best be described as evolutionary with a similar overall body profile and a few changes around the front and back. From the spy shots we can see styling cues borrowed from the newMazda6 and up front, with flared wheel arches and an upwardly sculpted front bumper reminiscent of the recent Mazdaspeed RX 8 concept car.
One styling point that s hotly debated is whether Mazda will add pronounced, sweeping body lines along the side of the next Mazda 3 to evoke styling elements from Mazda s popular Nagare concept car. While Mazda may sample some Nagare concept styling we don t think the lines will be quite as aggressive.
Following the Mazda6 s march towards luxury car dominance, the upcoming Mazda 3 has been spotted with previously unseen luxury amenities in the compact car segment like integrated mirror turn signals, Mazda s advanced keyless entry system with push button start, mp3 hard drive, and numerous steering wheel based controls.
These new features are in addition to the current Mazda 3 s options including HID headlights, auto rain sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, Bose sound system with aux input, lighted vanities, auto down driver s window, one touch moonroof and power seat controls.
None of the new features listed above are set in stone (they were observed on what appeared to be a near final prototype model during testing) it is very likely that the features will remain and be available on the final retail product. The stage is set and Mazda will officially reveal the 2010 Mazda 3 s design at theLos Angeles Auto Show which runs between November 17th and 26th.
Learn more about the 2010 Mazda 3, chat with other Mazda drivers and keep up to date on the latest Mazda news by visiting our site: http://mazda3revolution.com
How do You Buy Tickets for the 2010 Olympic Games?
Tickets for the 2010 Winter Olympics are already being sought, which means some events may be sold out before some individuals even think about buying tickets. That is why you need to know what you need to do in order to get tickets for the 2010 Olympics before your favorite event sells out. However, there is a process to buying your tickets. It is not just a matter of being able to go online, shop, and then hit a buy button. The process is carried out carefully to ensure that everyone is admitted fairly to the event.
Buying the tickets
First of all, the Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver. It has been announced that the tickets requests will start being accepted on October 3, 2008. There are phases to the ticket buying process that you need to be aware of. Now keep in mind that on October 3, it is simply a request for tickets and not an actual opportunity to buy. It has also been stated by Olympic officials that there may be instances in which a lottery must be held to determine who can buy tickets to certain events and who can t. This is how the Olympic Committee ensures that the ticket allocation is fair.
Here are the phases:
On October 3rd, Canadian residents will be able to submit a form through the website www.vancouver2010.com. Those unable to submit online will be able to request a ticket request form via the telephone. The form will then be mailed to them. Non Canadian residents will be able to contact the National Olympic Committee in their country to purchase their tickets. For those events that have more requests than seats available, the lotteries will be held if they are needed. Before early 2009, all parties will be notified whether or not their ticket requests were granted.Individuals will also be able to add on unsold tickets to their ticket package.
In early 2009, the remaining unsold tickets will be allowed to be sold to the public. Canadian residents who missed phase one will be able to buy these unsold tickets.
In phase three, the seating assignment phase will be completed. If there are any tickets still unsold, the tickets will be sold directly toindividuals requesting them. These individuals will then fill the remaining empty seats for that particular sporting event.
For specific ticket information, it is important that you contact your National Olympic Committee. That information can be obtained through a simple internet search, being that it depends on your residing country as to who you contact. Every country involved in the Olympics has a National Olympic Committee on their soil.
Being patient
The idea behind purchasing tickets for the 2010 Olympics is to be patient. The process is carried out the way it is to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at tickets. If you ve watched the opening ceremonies in the past, then you are aware of how many people attend. Each one of thoseindividuals had to go through the request and purchase process. Unfortunately, there are some events that some individuals are unable to attend. However, the process was fair and they more than likely had the opportunity to attend another event within the Olympics.
So make sure you keep track of what is going on with ticket sales. Once October 3, 2008 rolls around, the process begins so make sure you stay vigilant so that you can attend the events that you wish to attend.
Looking to buy winter olympics tickets? Road Trips provides customized 2010 winter olympics packages so you and all your friends can see your favourite Olympic sporting events in style! http://www.roadtrips.com/?pl=12&screen=scnGetExtHtml&_param=vancouver2010_pl1
Buying the tickets
First of all, the Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver. It has been announced that the tickets requests will start being accepted on October 3, 2008. There are phases to the ticket buying process that you need to be aware of. Now keep in mind that on October 3, it is simply a request for tickets and not an actual opportunity to buy. It has also been stated by Olympic officials that there may be instances in which a lottery must be held to determine who can buy tickets to certain events and who can t. This is how the Olympic Committee ensures that the ticket allocation is fair.
Here are the phases:
On October 3rd, Canadian residents will be able to submit a form through the website www.vancouver2010.com. Those unable to submit online will be able to request a ticket request form via the telephone. The form will then be mailed to them. Non Canadian residents will be able to contact the National Olympic Committee in their country to purchase their tickets. For those events that have more requests than seats available, the lotteries will be held if they are needed. Before early 2009, all parties will be notified whether or not their ticket requests were granted.Individuals will also be able to add on unsold tickets to their ticket package.
In early 2009, the remaining unsold tickets will be allowed to be sold to the public. Canadian residents who missed phase one will be able to buy these unsold tickets.
In phase three, the seating assignment phase will be completed. If there are any tickets still unsold, the tickets will be sold directly toindividuals requesting them. These individuals will then fill the remaining empty seats for that particular sporting event.
For specific ticket information, it is important that you contact your National Olympic Committee. That information can be obtained through a simple internet search, being that it depends on your residing country as to who you contact. Every country involved in the Olympics has a National Olympic Committee on their soil.
Being patient
The idea behind purchasing tickets for the 2010 Olympics is to be patient. The process is carried out the way it is to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at tickets. If you ve watched the opening ceremonies in the past, then you are aware of how many people attend. Each one of thoseindividuals had to go through the request and purchase process. Unfortunately, there are some events that some individuals are unable to attend. However, the process was fair and they more than likely had the opportunity to attend another event within the Olympics.
So make sure you keep track of what is going on with ticket sales. Once October 3, 2008 rolls around, the process begins so make sure you stay vigilant so that you can attend the events that you wish to attend.
Looking to buy winter olympics tickets? Road Trips provides customized 2010 winter olympics packages so you and all your friends can see your favourite Olympic sporting events in style! http://www.roadtrips.com/?pl=12&screen=scnGetExtHtml&_param=vancouver2010_pl1
England World Cup Qualifying Preview 2010
Although England will be favourites to qualify from group 6 of the European qualification section of the World Cup 2010 there is one team that continues to haunt Fabio Capellos team. Croatia have also been drawn into this group and although having an encouraging Euro 2008, coach Sliven Baltic will knowEngland seeks revenge.
The Croats knocked out England in Euro 2008 qualification. This of course resulted in then manager Steve McClaren getting the sack and the start of a new era for English football under revered Italian coach, Fabio Capello.
How will this strict disciplinarian get the best out of a group of talented but under achieving players? Many fans think the English players are spoilt and get paid too much, earning many times more than players from other parts of Europe. Other experts prefer the theory that the English players suffer from lack of technical skill to compete at the highest level and that schools and youth teams fail to teach young footballers the value of technical skill over effort and powerful physique.
If you want to watch Englands away matches for the 2010 campaign then you have to subscribe to Setanta Sports as they have secured the rights to all of Englands home friendlies and the awayWorld Cup 2010 qualifying matches.
After England and Croatia the outsiders are Ukraine and Belarus. With a young team of highly motivated players Ukraine may spring a surprise or two and although they finished a disappointing fourth in qualification for Euro 2008 they are certain dark horses of the group. They have the powerful Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy who will be expected to score many goals in group 6.
Belarus have always produced players of great skill in their recent history of top flight International football, such players include the dynamic Arsenal midfielder, Alexander Hleb who has been attracting the attention of Barcelona this Summer. The Belarus support will have plenty to look forward to after their recent 2-1 win over the Dutch in their final Euro 2008 qualifier.
Group 6 also has some interesting players to look out for when you are watching the games on tv. For England, star striker Wayne Rooney and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be the players to watch. Croatia have Arsenal goal scorer Eduardo de Silver (recovering from serious injury) and Luka Modic, both of these players have played an important part in Croatia recent success.
Kazakhstan and Andorra are expected just to make up the numbers in group 6. Both teams will struggle to compete against the other nations because of the lack of real quality in terms of players and domestic leagues which are highly uncompetitive.
England will be expected to qualify from this tricky group. If they should fail then the manager will more than likely lose his job and another rebuilding plan will have to take place. Many football experts and sports fans are hoping that this golden generation ofEngland players will finally deliver some success on the pitch.
Martin is a sports fan who watches England on Setanta and subscribes to his favourite tv sports broadcaster, Setanta Sports.
The Croats knocked out England in Euro 2008 qualification. This of course resulted in then manager Steve McClaren getting the sack and the start of a new era for English football under revered Italian coach, Fabio Capello.
How will this strict disciplinarian get the best out of a group of talented but under achieving players? Many fans think the English players are spoilt and get paid too much, earning many times more than players from other parts of Europe. Other experts prefer the theory that the English players suffer from lack of technical skill to compete at the highest level and that schools and youth teams fail to teach young footballers the value of technical skill over effort and powerful physique.
If you want to watch Englands away matches for the 2010 campaign then you have to subscribe to Setanta Sports as they have secured the rights to all of Englands home friendlies and the awayWorld Cup 2010 qualifying matches.
After England and Croatia the outsiders are Ukraine and Belarus. With a young team of highly motivated players Ukraine may spring a surprise or two and although they finished a disappointing fourth in qualification for Euro 2008 they are certain dark horses of the group. They have the powerful Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy who will be expected to score many goals in group 6.
Belarus have always produced players of great skill in their recent history of top flight International football, such players include the dynamic Arsenal midfielder, Alexander Hleb who has been attracting the attention of Barcelona this Summer. The Belarus support will have plenty to look forward to after their recent 2-1 win over the Dutch in their final Euro 2008 qualifier.
Group 6 also has some interesting players to look out for when you are watching the games on tv. For England, star striker Wayne Rooney and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be the players to watch. Croatia have Arsenal goal scorer Eduardo de Silver (recovering from serious injury) and Luka Modic, both of these players have played an important part in Croatia recent success.
Kazakhstan and Andorra are expected just to make up the numbers in group 6. Both teams will struggle to compete against the other nations because of the lack of real quality in terms of players and domestic leagues which are highly uncompetitive.
England will be expected to qualify from this tricky group. If they should fail then the manager will more than likely lose his job and another rebuilding plan will have to take place. Many football experts and sports fans are hoping that this golden generation ofEngland players will finally deliver some success on the pitch.
Martin is a sports fan who watches England on Setanta and subscribes to his favourite tv sports broadcaster, Setanta Sports.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
NBA – Celtics’ and Nuggets’ winning streak came to an end this Friday night
The only two NBA teams that were still to be defeated this season –Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics- had their perfect records spoiled this Friday. The Phoenix Suns, guided by a strong and confident Jason Richardson, came to Boston with a super aggressive offensive plan. Richardson opened the scoreboard with a clean three-point shot, and from that point on, he and the team were basically unstoppable.
The numbers alone speak for the 28-year-old Shooting Guard for the Suns. He scored 14 points in the first quarter alone. The man was on fire. He even came back in the fourth quarter with a couple more surprises from his bag of tricks, scoring the first 8 points for the Suns, while, almost helplessly, the Boston Celtics watched in disbelief as 4 minutes passed by in the clock without them making a single shot.
The first quarter came to an end with a 29-27 lead for the Phoenix Suns. In the second quarter the Suns began to put even more pressure over the Phoenix defense, with fast, consistent passing and a steady presence over the paint. At one point the Celtics were behind by 11 points. That’s when Rondo and Garnett began to adopt a more aggressive and coordinated offensive style to close down the margin to 57-51 by the end of the first half.
Kevin Garnett had a season high 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on the game. And although Rondo ended up with good numbers as well, 14 points with 11 trays, it just wasn’t enough to fulfill their goal of having a 7-0 record for the second time in three years.
It certainly was not the best night for Rasheed Wallace who could not hit any of his six attempts from the 3 point perimeter, 5 of which were shot in the fourth quarter.
By the last quarter, it was quite evident that there was very little the Celtics could to do in order to rescue the game. Richardson came in again to end the game with a solid 110-103 win for the Phoenix Suns. He had spectacular numbers, 34 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, even more so if one considers that he had gone scoreless in his previous game.
The Denver Nuggets suffered a similar fate when they took their first defeat of the season by the Miami Heat, a team to which they had not lost since December 17th, 2004. Denver’s numbers were not even close to the ones they had been bringing out during the season.
Carmello Anthony had a good game, scoring 30 pts and getting 8 rebounds for the Nuggets. But very little came from the rest of the team. Shooting guard Arron Afflalo came as a reserve to add 11 points for Denver, but the rest of the players’ numbers were well under average.
Despite the fact that the first quarter ended with a small advantage for Miami 23-21, by the second quarter things got even uglier for Denver. Kenyon Martin had to leave the game with an injury that might put him out of the courts for a week or two. And it seemed as if the guys from the Mile High City could not get their game back together after that.
We also must consider that Miami Heat star, Dwyane Wade, had a fairly slow start. He missed the first five shots he attempted, and finally got one in with 1:34 until the end of the first half time. And that didn’t seem to change much. Miami just appeared unstoppable that night, scoring 17 of the first half’s last 22 points. By Halftime, Denver was down 50-38, a 12-point gap it was unable to bridge in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, Denver made its most explosive offensive attack of the game, closing the breach down to 93-82, with 3:47 to play. But not much was left to do. Miami kept the ball and played a bright and conservative last two minutes to seal the win.
The first defeat of the season has yet to change the overall game of the Celtics which as of Monday night, still hold a solid 7-1 record. On the other hand, George Karl is seeking new game tactics to bring back the team’s A-game, after it lost two games in a row for a 5-2 record.
Stephen Lars has been a prominent writer on daily NBA games , sports news and the sportsbook industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
The numbers alone speak for the 28-year-old Shooting Guard for the Suns. He scored 14 points in the first quarter alone. The man was on fire. He even came back in the fourth quarter with a couple more surprises from his bag of tricks, scoring the first 8 points for the Suns, while, almost helplessly, the Boston Celtics watched in disbelief as 4 minutes passed by in the clock without them making a single shot.
The first quarter came to an end with a 29-27 lead for the Phoenix Suns. In the second quarter the Suns began to put even more pressure over the Phoenix defense, with fast, consistent passing and a steady presence over the paint. At one point the Celtics were behind by 11 points. That’s when Rondo and Garnett began to adopt a more aggressive and coordinated offensive style to close down the margin to 57-51 by the end of the first half.
Kevin Garnett had a season high 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on the game. And although Rondo ended up with good numbers as well, 14 points with 11 trays, it just wasn’t enough to fulfill their goal of having a 7-0 record for the second time in three years.
It certainly was not the best night for Rasheed Wallace who could not hit any of his six attempts from the 3 point perimeter, 5 of which were shot in the fourth quarter.
By the last quarter, it was quite evident that there was very little the Celtics could to do in order to rescue the game. Richardson came in again to end the game with a solid 110-103 win for the Phoenix Suns. He had spectacular numbers, 34 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, even more so if one considers that he had gone scoreless in his previous game.
The Denver Nuggets suffered a similar fate when they took their first defeat of the season by the Miami Heat, a team to which they had not lost since December 17th, 2004. Denver’s numbers were not even close to the ones they had been bringing out during the season.
Carmello Anthony had a good game, scoring 30 pts and getting 8 rebounds for the Nuggets. But very little came from the rest of the team. Shooting guard Arron Afflalo came as a reserve to add 11 points for Denver, but the rest of the players’ numbers were well under average.
Despite the fact that the first quarter ended with a small advantage for Miami 23-21, by the second quarter things got even uglier for Denver. Kenyon Martin had to leave the game with an injury that might put him out of the courts for a week or two. And it seemed as if the guys from the Mile High City could not get their game back together after that.
We also must consider that Miami Heat star, Dwyane Wade, had a fairly slow start. He missed the first five shots he attempted, and finally got one in with 1:34 until the end of the first half time. And that didn’t seem to change much. Miami just appeared unstoppable that night, scoring 17 of the first half’s last 22 points. By Halftime, Denver was down 50-38, a 12-point gap it was unable to bridge in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, Denver made its most explosive offensive attack of the game, closing the breach down to 93-82, with 3:47 to play. But not much was left to do. Miami kept the ball and played a bright and conservative last two minutes to seal the win.
The first defeat of the season has yet to change the overall game of the Celtics which as of Monday night, still hold a solid 7-1 record. On the other hand, George Karl is seeking new game tactics to bring back the team’s A-game, after it lost two games in a row for a 5-2 record.
Stephen Lars has been a prominent writer on daily NBA games , sports news and the sportsbook industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.
Attractions To Visit While Staying In Barcelona - Parc Guell
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Parc Guell is yet another of architect Antonio Gaudi's great gifts to the city of Barcelona. Built between 1900-1914, this 20-hectare park sits on the hills to the north of Barcelona's main areas. It provides a peaceful oasis of lush greenery and outstanding architectural elements.
On the northern edge of town, visitors have a spectacular vista to see much of Barcelona arrayed below. The terraced gardens provide an excellent combination of the natural and artificial. Seating available shows another example of the colorful mosaic tile that Gaudi loved to incorporate in his design for the park.
Stop at the small cafe on the outer edge before entering and have a cool drink. Barcelona can get very hot and many of the hills are steep. For visitors needing a little more sustenance, there are several small restaurants to choose from. Note the outstanding dragon-themed fountain as you enter. Take a moment to enjoy the multi-colored tile adorning it. Then stroll down the flower-festooned walkways dotted with many mosaic tiles that show Gaudi's distinctive influence.
But there are just as many interesting sights further inside the park itself. There's a museum dedicated to Gaudi's art, filled with photos and other items both instructive and decorative. Once the architect's house, it contains furniture designed by Gaudi himself.
Outside once again, alongside the lush shrubbery reside many worthy sights, including sculpture, columns, restaurants and museums. Even the benches are works of art. There is one enormous, curved example that is famed throughout the city, the Paseo de Palmas.
Further on are still more examples of wondrous sights. The Hall of the Hundred Columns (Sala de las Cien Columnas) is an array of classical supports. But what they support is drawn from later styles, such as the romantic-era balcony, which is covered in mosaic tiles of a more modern design.
Nearby there's a walkway supported by twisted rock pillars, introducing yet another style. Irregular and organic in appearance, they demonstrate another facet of the organic eclecticism Gaudi embraced.
There are a number of entrances to the park and visitors will want to choose accordingly. Taking the metro to the Lesseps stop, brings one to the base. That leads to a steep climb up the hill on which the park rests. Challenging, but great exercise in Barcelona's fine air. Taking the metro to the stop at Vallcarca brings the traveler via outdoor escalators to the top of the park, allowing for an easy walk down the hill.
Admission to the park is free and most buildings open at 10 a.m.
Must see places in Barcelona: Port Vell Barcelona | Las Ramblas
On the northern edge of town, visitors have a spectacular vista to see much of Barcelona arrayed below. The terraced gardens provide an excellent combination of the natural and artificial. Seating available shows another example of the colorful mosaic tile that Gaudi loved to incorporate in his design for the park.
Stop at the small cafe on the outer edge before entering and have a cool drink. Barcelona can get very hot and many of the hills are steep. For visitors needing a little more sustenance, there are several small restaurants to choose from. Note the outstanding dragon-themed fountain as you enter. Take a moment to enjoy the multi-colored tile adorning it. Then stroll down the flower-festooned walkways dotted with many mosaic tiles that show Gaudi's distinctive influence.
But there are just as many interesting sights further inside the park itself. There's a museum dedicated to Gaudi's art, filled with photos and other items both instructive and decorative. Once the architect's house, it contains furniture designed by Gaudi himself.
Outside once again, alongside the lush shrubbery reside many worthy sights, including sculpture, columns, restaurants and museums. Even the benches are works of art. There is one enormous, curved example that is famed throughout the city, the Paseo de Palmas.
Further on are still more examples of wondrous sights. The Hall of the Hundred Columns (Sala de las Cien Columnas) is an array of classical supports. But what they support is drawn from later styles, such as the romantic-era balcony, which is covered in mosaic tiles of a more modern design.
Nearby there's a walkway supported by twisted rock pillars, introducing yet another style. Irregular and organic in appearance, they demonstrate another facet of the organic eclecticism Gaudi embraced.
There are a number of entrances to the park and visitors will want to choose accordingly. Taking the metro to the Lesseps stop, brings one to the base. That leads to a steep climb up the hill on which the park rests. Challenging, but great exercise in Barcelona's fine air. Taking the metro to the stop at Vallcarca brings the traveler via outdoor escalators to the top of the park, allowing for an easy walk down the hill.
Admission to the park is free and most buildings open at 10 a.m.
Must see places in Barcelona: Port Vell Barcelona | Las Ramblas
Saturday, November 7, 2009
World Cup 2010 - Please Enjoy
Without any doubts, the World Cup is the most prestigious football event any player can hope to participate in. Only being held every four years, it is a truly unique experience for both fans and players. The next edition of the FIFA World Cup will take place in South Africa in June 2010.
In order to determine the participating teams, qualifying rounds are being held on each continent between August 2007 and November 2009. There is a total of 31 spots up for grabs plus the automatically granted spot for the host nation. Recent changes in the qualifying system included Australia being moved to the Asian qualifying group while New Zealand will face the sixth placed team from Africa for a World Cup berth.
The competitions itself starts off with a round-robin stage consisting of eight groups with four teams each. Subsequently the best two teams from every group will advance to the knockout stage featuring elimination games all the way to the finals. Over a period of four weeks a total of 64 exciting games will be played, culminating in the finals kick-off on the 11th of July in Johannesburg.
Although every FIFA World Cup is bound to have its upsets, it appears to be a safe bet that the battle for the title will mainly concern the top-tier teams from Europe and South America. In particular Brazil and Argentina are facing a lot of pressure given their disappointing performances in the last World Cup. In fact, the Brazilian Sele"o around Ronaldinho faced harsh critique at home after being eliminated in the quarterfinals by France in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Likewise, defending champions Italy as well as Spain, Portugal, England, Germany and the Netherlands can rightfully be considered championship contenders. Especially the Spanish team around Fernando Torres and Xavi is coming off a huge confidence boost after winning the Euro 2008 title. In contrast, host nation South Africa is hoping to play well in front of their home crowd, but unfortunately anything else than a group-stage knockout would be a big surprise.
There have been a few problems during the planning stages of the World Cup, but the South African Football Association repeatedly assured that all issues will have been addressed until the event gets underway. More specifically, the construction of soccer stadiums had been delayed various times, ultimately leading to most parts being manufactured and assembled overseas. Likewise, there are still concerns regarding infrastructural deficits in South Africa.
Do not forget you can order your World cup football from Soccerbox.com
John is the joint owner of Soccer Box with his wife Jackie, we employ five other people who all care about the customers of Soccer Box, to order your favourite football shirt please visit www.soccerbox.com or www.soccervillage.co.uk
In order to determine the participating teams, qualifying rounds are being held on each continent between August 2007 and November 2009. There is a total of 31 spots up for grabs plus the automatically granted spot for the host nation. Recent changes in the qualifying system included Australia being moved to the Asian qualifying group while New Zealand will face the sixth placed team from Africa for a World Cup berth.
The competitions itself starts off with a round-robin stage consisting of eight groups with four teams each. Subsequently the best two teams from every group will advance to the knockout stage featuring elimination games all the way to the finals. Over a period of four weeks a total of 64 exciting games will be played, culminating in the finals kick-off on the 11th of July in Johannesburg.
Although every FIFA World Cup is bound to have its upsets, it appears to be a safe bet that the battle for the title will mainly concern the top-tier teams from Europe and South America. In particular Brazil and Argentina are facing a lot of pressure given their disappointing performances in the last World Cup. In fact, the Brazilian Sele"o around Ronaldinho faced harsh critique at home after being eliminated in the quarterfinals by France in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Likewise, defending champions Italy as well as Spain, Portugal, England, Germany and the Netherlands can rightfully be considered championship contenders. Especially the Spanish team around Fernando Torres and Xavi is coming off a huge confidence boost after winning the Euro 2008 title. In contrast, host nation South Africa is hoping to play well in front of their home crowd, but unfortunately anything else than a group-stage knockout would be a big surprise.
There have been a few problems during the planning stages of the World Cup, but the South African Football Association repeatedly assured that all issues will have been addressed until the event gets underway. More specifically, the construction of soccer stadiums had been delayed various times, ultimately leading to most parts being manufactured and assembled overseas. Likewise, there are still concerns regarding infrastructural deficits in South Africa.
Do not forget you can order your World cup football from Soccerbox.com
John is the joint owner of Soccer Box with his wife Jackie, we employ five other people who all care about the customers of Soccer Box, to order your favourite football shirt please visit www.soccerbox.com or www.soccervillage.co.uk
Thursday, November 5, 2009
World Cup 2010 - See you in Africa, See you in Kenya
World Cup 2010 will give travelers an opportunity of a lifetime. With convenient connections from South Africa to several countries in the continent, travelers have an opportunity to stop by Kenya on their way to, fro of in between the World Cup 2010 games. In Kenya, a four hour flight from South Africa, travelers will be able to experience the real game - lions, leopard, rhino, cheetah, elephant and endangered white rhino in Kenya's world renowned national parks.
An honour to the African continent is playing host for the first time ever, to the World Cup 2010. South Africa will be flying the African flag very high, carrying the hopes and dreams of a continent. Imagine if an African team were to make it to the finals on African soil? With a capacity of 48,000 the Nelson Mandela Bay's brand new stadium will be a spectacle to behold. Every fan will need a vuvuzela (traditional horn) to get into the true South African spirit while enjoying a great game of soccer.
The qualifying rounds continue with nail biting anticipation. South Africa, as host, automatically qualify for the tournament. So far Japan, Korea, Australia, Netherlands have all qualified for the World Cup. The FIFA President in his visit to the White House in July invited President Obama to South Africa 2010. The tournament is bound to have people from corners and walks of our globe united in their love of the beauty of the game - football or soccer as it is also known.
Africa is honoured to be hosting the World Cup and every nation is owning the pride that South Africa has brought to the continent. Travelers to South Africa will have the benefit of great airplane connections to several countries across the continent. From Botswana to Tanzania, Namibia to Kenya, this will be an opportunity to immerse oneself in African culture. With more than 10 flights a week to and fromSouth Africa to Kenya, a safari in the home of the safari is only a 4 hour flight away.
Maasai Mara in Kenya, the home of the wildebeest migration, a seventh wonder of the world, is within easy reach! The Lake shores of Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in the World, Lake Nakuru with majestic pink flamingoes and Lake Baringo with more than a thousand bird species are all part of the line up to be enjoyed. The Great Rift Valley has spectacular views and cuts across Kenya from North to South.
In case adrenaline filled action if your kind of holiday, the snow capped Mt.Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa. The ascent to Mbatian, the highest peak, requires rock climbing skills and equipment. Not for the faint hearted but the walk is beautiful and the star filled skies are not to be forgotten. The equator cuts across Kenya, almost in half! Straddle the northern and southern hemisphere and have great tales to tell!
In case you just want some pampering and relaxation in some of the world's best beaches, head on to Kenya's coast. The beaches run for hundreds of miles with white fluffy sand and warm aquamarine waters are not to be missed. Whether you choose Malindi, where the pizzas served are more delicious than in Italy or Lamu, where the global jet set have Villas hosting celebrities and the global jet set, you have to pass by Mombasa. There you can enjoy the mix of arabic, african culture, food, people, language. Take it all in and if you are feeling like some water sports, indulge in scuba diving by a ship wreck, kite surf in Diani and enjoy the recently opened Sails restaurant at Almanara.
Not to be forgotten is the nations capital - Nairobi. The green city in the sun offers a trendy, vibrant and exciting lifestyle for the most discerning guests. International cuisine as well as Kenya's own savannah-fed beef await the palette of the adventurer. So with Kenya only one flight away, the opportunity to go on a safari where the safari originated is a must.
So with World Cup 2010 ticket in hand. Remember to pack your safari khakis, sun block, mosquito repellent and your binoculars. See you at the Maasai Mara and in Port Elizabeth in Johannesburg and Durban. Enjoy the first ever African World Cup.
Nyaruita Gateri is the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya, an expert in Kenyan safari and beach getaways. It features undiscovered and off the beaten track practical tips for your next adventure. Get practical tips and book your hotel for your holiday to Kenya
An honour to the African continent is playing host for the first time ever, to the World Cup 2010. South Africa will be flying the African flag very high, carrying the hopes and dreams of a continent. Imagine if an African team were to make it to the finals on African soil? With a capacity of 48,000 the Nelson Mandela Bay's brand new stadium will be a spectacle to behold. Every fan will need a vuvuzela (traditional horn) to get into the true South African spirit while enjoying a great game of soccer.
The qualifying rounds continue with nail biting anticipation. South Africa, as host, automatically qualify for the tournament. So far Japan, Korea, Australia, Netherlands have all qualified for the World Cup. The FIFA President in his visit to the White House in July invited President Obama to South Africa 2010. The tournament is bound to have people from corners and walks of our globe united in their love of the beauty of the game - football or soccer as it is also known.
Africa is honoured to be hosting the World Cup and every nation is owning the pride that South Africa has brought to the continent. Travelers to South Africa will have the benefit of great airplane connections to several countries across the continent. From Botswana to Tanzania, Namibia to Kenya, this will be an opportunity to immerse oneself in African culture. With more than 10 flights a week to and fromSouth Africa to Kenya, a safari in the home of the safari is only a 4 hour flight away.
Maasai Mara in Kenya, the home of the wildebeest migration, a seventh wonder of the world, is within easy reach! The Lake shores of Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in the World, Lake Nakuru with majestic pink flamingoes and Lake Baringo with more than a thousand bird species are all part of the line up to be enjoyed. The Great Rift Valley has spectacular views and cuts across Kenya from North to South.
In case adrenaline filled action if your kind of holiday, the snow capped Mt.Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa. The ascent to Mbatian, the highest peak, requires rock climbing skills and equipment. Not for the faint hearted but the walk is beautiful and the star filled skies are not to be forgotten. The equator cuts across Kenya, almost in half! Straddle the northern and southern hemisphere and have great tales to tell!
In case you just want some pampering and relaxation in some of the world's best beaches, head on to Kenya's coast. The beaches run for hundreds of miles with white fluffy sand and warm aquamarine waters are not to be missed. Whether you choose Malindi, where the pizzas served are more delicious than in Italy or Lamu, where the global jet set have Villas hosting celebrities and the global jet set, you have to pass by Mombasa. There you can enjoy the mix of arabic, african culture, food, people, language. Take it all in and if you are feeling like some water sports, indulge in scuba diving by a ship wreck, kite surf in Diani and enjoy the recently opened Sails restaurant at Almanara.
Not to be forgotten is the nations capital - Nairobi. The green city in the sun offers a trendy, vibrant and exciting lifestyle for the most discerning guests. International cuisine as well as Kenya's own savannah-fed beef await the palette of the adventurer. So with Kenya only one flight away, the opportunity to go on a safari where the safari originated is a must.
So with World Cup 2010 ticket in hand. Remember to pack your safari khakis, sun block, mosquito repellent and your binoculars. See you at the Maasai Mara and in Port Elizabeth in Johannesburg and Durban. Enjoy the first ever African World Cup.
Nyaruita Gateri is the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya, an expert in Kenyan safari and beach getaways. It features undiscovered and off the beaten track practical tips for your next adventure. Get practical tips and book your hotel for your holiday to Kenya
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