Greg Norman slams lack of blood testing in golf`s anti-doping policy

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 12:44

London: Australian golf legend Greg Norman has criticised golf`s anti-doping policies, saying that sport needed to clean up its act by overcoming the lack of blood testing.

This came after Fijian golf ace Vijay Singh admitted taking a deer-antler spray containing a banned substance in January, although the former World No 1 is continuing to play on the PGA Tour as the hormone was never detected due to the sport`s lack of blood testing.

Calling the anti-doping policies as `disgraceful`, Norman said that it is difficult to find out how deep doping in embedded in the sport as they carry out only urine analysis instead of blood testing.

Meanwhile, R and A chief executive Peter Dawson has again defended taking the Open back to men-only Muirfield in July.  --------------------- ZEENEWS.com

Kuznetsova survives rough welcome in Portugal

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 09:12

Oeiras: Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was forced to battle to a marathon 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 6-2 first round win at the ATP/WTA Portugal Open on Monday.

The Russian wild card, who won the 2004 French Open and the US Open three years later, had to dig deep to see off American sixth seed Varvara Lepchenko.

Kuznetsova, now ranked 45th in the world, is playing the event proper for the first time in her career but she did lose a qualifying match in her only previous visit in 2002.

The 27-year-old was challenged by the standard windy conditions which are a part of this rebranded clay event - formerly the Estoril Open - and also had to deal with an unseasonable chill gripping the Iberian peninsula.

Kuznetsova won in just over two and a half hours, firing six aces and breaking Lepchenko six times.

She lost her own serve five times on the way to the struggling success.

"It was a very difficult match against Varvara. I had a lot of ups and downs, as she did," said the winner.

"The conditions out there were very tough and it wasn`t easy to play. I tried to keep going, keep pushing, and in the end it went my way, so I was happy with that."

Spanish fourth seed Carla Suarez Navarro dispatched Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-3, 6-0 while Russian seventh seed Elena Vesnina advanced comfortably at the Estadio Nacional over local Maria Joao Koehler 6-4, 6-1.

The 2009 champion Yanina Wickmayer passed the first hurdle as she beat Anna Tatishvili of Georgia 6-1, 7-5. Japan`s Ayumi Morita beat British debutant Laura Robson 6-2, 7-5, leaving the teenager winless on the WTA since early April.

France`s Marion Bartoli heads the WTA field in the pre-French Open event, ahead of Slovak Dominika Cibulkova.

In the men`s draw, Spain`s Davis Ferrer takes the top seeding after being drafted in as a late replacement to ailing Argentine Juan Martin del Porto, suffering with a stomach virus but expected to play at next week`s Madrid Masters.

Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, semi-finalist a year ago in his Portuguese debut, is seeded second. The top four men`s seeds get byes into the second round.

The Swiss admitted he fancied his chances as he plays his second European event on clay after knocking Andy Murray out in Monte Carlo.

"It`s my second year here and I am happy to be back. I hope to play well and keep improving my game and ranking this year."

Wawrinka has announced that he will be coached by Sweden`s Magnus Norman, a former French Open finalist who last guided Robin Soderling, out of the game since July, 2011, with glandular fever.

But Norman will only come on board with Wawrinka next month in the practise week before the May 26 start at Roand Garros and work with the number 16 at major events.

On court, French sixth seed Benoit Paire beat Igor Sijsling 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 while compatriot Eduardo Roger-Vasselin advanced when Gilles Muller quit injured trailing 6-1. ------------------ ZEENEWS.com

HARUNA AWARE OF BAYERN INTEREST

HARUNA AWARE OF BAYERN INTEREST

Posted: Apr 30, 2013

Super Eagles midfielder, Lukman Haruna, has revealed that he is aware of interest from German giants Bayern Munich in the summer but the former AS Monaco player was quick to add that nothing concrete is on the table.

 Bayern, who will be coached by Pep Guardiola next season, recently splashed about 32 million pounds on German prodigy Mario Goetze to bolster their squad and the Nigerian midfielder, who bagged a brace over the weekend, is also being watched by the German champions, according to reports.

 "I'm aware that there were scouts from Bayern Munich who watched the game but nobody is certain they came to watch me,” the former Flying Eagles skipper told Complete Sports..

 "But I'm focused on performing well for Dynamo and helping them finish in the best position this season.
 "I've been  reading so many reports linking me with a move away from here in the summer but nothing is certain yet."

 Dynamo remain in second place in the table with 56 points from 26 games. They are 15 points behind leaders Shakhtar Donetsk. -------------- Complete Sports

Twenty years on, Monica Seles still carries attack scars

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 09:58

Berlin: The knife attack on Monica Seles, which took place in Hamburg 20 years ago, not only dictated security at sports events over the last two decades, but changed the victim`s life.

A similar attack must rank as every sports stars` worst nightmare and any harmless fan, waiting for hours simply for their idols` autograph, is now viewed as a potential threat by security staff.

French Open champion Maria Sharapova, who won her 20th consecutive clay-court match when she defended her Stuttgart WTA title on Sunday, is renown for having scores of bodyguards in the wings when she steps on court.

"It`s not something I worry about, the security guys would be pretty quickly onto it if there was a problem," she said on the subject.

But Seles is the first to admit the attack on April 30, 1993 robbed her of her self-confidence and possibly her tennis career.

She had finished both 1991 and 1992 as the world`s top ranked female player and in 1990, aged just 16, she had become the youngest French Open champion.

The tennis world was at her feet.

Having won her eighth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier that year, the Yugoslav (of Serbian origin) was still only 19 when she played her quarter-final at Hamburg`s Rothenbaum in the day`s last match.

Having won the first set against Bulgaria`s Magdalena Maleeva, Seles was resting during a break in play when Guenter Parche, a 38-year-old unemployed tool maker, plunged a 23cm-long knife into her back.

Her attacker had waited four days for his chance.’

His motive was that as an ardent admirer of Steffi Graf, he had been irritated that Seles had usurped the German in the world rankings.

After his arrest, he was found to be carrying 1000 deutschemarks (511 euros) and had a ticket to fly to Italy where Seles was registered to play at the Rome tournament the following week.

He told Hamburg police he had been planning the attack for weeks but only wanted to harm Seles, not kill her.

At his trial, Parche`s lawyer said his client lived in a fantasy world and his interest in Graf had reached an unhealthy level, fuelling his hatred of Seles.

Experts confirmed Parche had a personality disorder and the judge ruled it was attempted assault, not murder, giving him a two-year suspended sentence.

Due to the light sentence, Seles has never set foot on German soil again.

"Germany is the country where that man attacked me from behind, yet was not sufficiently punished," she said later in a television interview.

"I cannot understand why this man did not have to pay for his crime."

Two factors saved Seles from further harm.

At the moment of her attack, she was bending forward to get up from her seat, sparing her the full length of the blade, which missed her spine by five centimetres.

A security guard then wrestled Parche to the ground to prevent a second stabbing, holding him in a headlock, while others rushed to help Seles.

"I didn`t know what exactly had happened," Seles recalled.

"Suddenly I remembered it was hard to breathe and I felt a terrible pain in my back."

Parache was arrested and taken away in handcuffs by police, while a distraught Seles was taken to hospital.

Incredibly, the tournament was not cancelled and Graf, ironically, went on to beat Spain`s Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the final.

A million marks (511,291 euros) had been spent on security for the Rothenbaum tournament and Seles had employed several security guards to protect her.

She lapsed into depression after her attack and her weight shot up by 30kg due to binge eating.

She made her comeback in July 1995 in Atlantic City against Martina Navratilova and eventually won the Australian Open for the fourth time in 1996.

But she never recovered the form she has showed from before her attack and eventually retired in February 2008.

Having won nine Grand Slams before the attack, she would win only one more in her career.

Having suffered several strokes, Parche is now incapacitated in a nursing home in Nordhausen, Thuringia, but Seles said the scars of her attack are both physical and mental.

"I was stabbed on court, in front of thousands of people," she wrote in her autobiography.

"It is not possible to talk about distancing yourself from that. It changed my career and irrevocably damaged my soul.

"A split second made me a different person." ----------------------- ZEENEWS.com

Losing Yuvraj, Wright in same over was turning point: Walters

Last Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013, 12:31

Raipur: Pune Warriors` assistant coach Rob Walters said losing the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Luke Wright in the same over proved to be the turning point in his team`s 15-run loss to the Delhi Daredevils in an IPL match here. Losing yet again from a winning position has put Pune in a precarious position and from now, it will be a do-or-die battle for them. "Yuvraj and Wright were playing well. Losing both of them in the 18th over of the match proved to be the turning point and led to the team`s defeat. It happened when we had a grip over the game and we would have won it," Walters said in the post-match conference on Sunday night. After their defeat to the Delhi Daredevils, the struggling Pune Warriors are now the bottom-placed side in the points table. "Now it`s pretty simple that we will have to fight hard ahead. We will have to win every game in the tournament. You have got to try and find a winning formula and you have to try few combinations before get there," he added. On whether the team needed more time for practice at a new and different ground like Raipur where IPL is being hosted for the first time, he said, "we got enough time for practice here. We can`t blame over a preparation. Although boundaries are big but ground condition is good here." -------------------- ZEENEWS.com

Mikel Signs up For Essiens Charity Game

Mikel Signs up For Essiens Charity Game

Posted: Apr 30, 2013

Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel alongside three other Chelsea players have confirmed their participation in Michael Essien’s charity game to be played on the 8th of June.

The Ghana midfielder will be hosting several world class footballers to his second charity game dubbed: “The Game of Hope and Inspiration”.

The game which will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium is to raise funds for five charities yet to be determined.

Amongst a host of world superstars including Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo will line up against the finest players from the African continent in a World XI vs Africa XI match.

“I support the game of hope for two reasons: first is the reason of the game itself and second is Michael as a person. He is a very generous guy, always positive with a smile on his face and he can spread this amongst the other people."

“Games like these can always give hope to everyone and show that there is still unity amongst the people towards the difficulties in our world,” Petr Cech said in a promotional video for the charity game.

“It is really important for us players to give something back and I think what he is doing is amazing and it is fantastic,” Ferreira added.

“To give back to society, to the country, to where you come from ….. and I think Michael has been doing this for the past years and if there is any way I can support I will do my best,” Mikel also said in the video.

The charity match is the second organized by the Ghana international since being appointed as an ambassador for peace by the African Union.

Essien organized a similar event which pulled an impressive crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium in 2011.

This year’s event will feature a musical concert which has multi American award winner Wyclef Jean performing alongside other international musical icons. ------------- Complete Sports

IPL 2013: Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors- Preview

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 09:24

Pune: Their campaign in doldrums at the half-way stage, Pune Warriors would be desperate to change the scenario but they face a gigantic challenge when they take on table-toppers Chennai Super Kings in an IPL match here on Tuesday. Languishing at the bottom of the table, Pune Warriors would be keen to repeat the performance they gave a fortnight ago against the same opposition, when they defeated them by 24 runs -- that too in an away match. But in the days after that, the Allan Donald-coached side has lost four matches on the trot, including Sunday night`s game against an equally out of sorts Delhi Daredevils by 15 runs, and the odds are heavily stacked against them. Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have been in destructive form, most recently defeating defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by 14 runs on Sunday night. The Warriors have been inconsistent in all departments, with the batsmen failing to contribute in the initial matches and bowlers being sent on a leather hunt in the later games. Jamaican Chris Gayle had clobbered the Pune bowlers for a record 66-ball 175 at Bangalore, and they conceded 63 runs off their last five overs against a struggling Delhi Daredevils side on Sunday. Pune`s batting has failed to fire in unison in most of the matches with captain Aaron Finch being the only one to have scored half-centuries, on three occasions. His compatriot Steve Smith has also made some useful contributions in the middle order. Robin Uthappa, who opens the innings, has got the starts but the wicket-keeper batsman has been able to capitalise on them. Senior Indian player Yuvraj Singh is known to change the course of the game and Pune would hope the flamboyant batsman returns to form against CSK, having logged just 135 runs in his six games. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the key bowler for Pune and he would be eager to rattle the famed Chennai batting with the support of Ashok Dinda and Mitchell Marsh. Despite being expensive, Dinda is the highest wicket-taker for his side with 10 wickets at an average of 31.60. On the other hand, two-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings will step out with the twin agenda of revenge and maintaining their leadership position in the tournament. In sharp contrast to the hosts, Chennai have won their last five matches, with opener Michael Hussey in sublime form. Hussey had smashed a stroke-filled 95 against title holders Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous match and the Australian is the second highest run scorer in the series with 445 in eight games. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni too has been in ominous form with the bat, which will be a cause of concern for Pune, while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has proved his mettle as a finisher. West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is the highest wicket-taker for Chennai with 15 wickets but the Trinidadian has struggled with the bat in the tournament. Chennai dropped the under-performing Murali Vijay in the previous game and Wriddhiman Saha is likely to continue as the opener with his useful contribution of 39 in the 103-run partnership he shared with Hussey. The Chennai pace attack doesn`t look settled and lacks the required sting. Dirk Nannes has grabbed just four wickets in five outings and South African all-rounder Albie Morkel has picked up just one wicket in his three games. Young Indian bowler Mohit Sharma has done reasonably well, scalping six wickets in as many matches at an average of 18.50 with an economy rate of 6.16. Teams from: Pune Warriors: Aaron Finch (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Abhishek Nayar, Ajanta Mendis, Ali Murtaza, Anustup Mazumdar, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dheeraj Jadhav, Eklavya Dwivedi, Harpreet Singh, Ishwar Pandey, Kane Richardson, Krishnakant Upadhyay, Luke Wright, Mahesh Rawat, Manish Pandey, Marlon Samuels, Mitchell Marsh, Mithun Manhas, Parveez Rasool, Rahul Sharma, R Gomez, Robin Uthappa, Ross Taylor, Shrikant Wagh, Steve Smith, T Suman, Tamim Iqbal, Udit Birla, Wayne Parnell and Yuvraj Singh. Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (C) (W), Akila Dananjaya, Albie Morkel, Srikkanth Anirudha, Ankit Rajpoot, Baba Aparajith, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ben Laughlin, Chris Morris, Dirk Nannes, Dwayne Bravo, Francois du Plessis, Imtiyaz Ahmed, Jason Holder, Michael Hussey, Mohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Nuwan Kulasekara, R Karthikeyan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ronit More, Shadab Jakati, Subramaniam Badrinath, Suresh Raina, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha. ------------------------------ ZEENEWS.com

.Game of Our Lives!

.Game of Our Lives!

Posted: Apr 30, 2013

Real Madrid can only improve on their first-leg performance against Borussia Dortmund, with José Mourinho demanding his players get tough for what he believes is the club's "most important match in ten years".

The Merengues coach says his charges must fight until the "last breath" in the hope of retrieving the situation against the Bundesliga team, who are on the brink of their first UEFA Champions League final since winning the competition in 1997 after last week's 4-1 home win.

''It is difficult to say what mathematical chance we have [of progressing]. I've already said everything to my players. The most important thing was to talk about the mistakes we made in Dortmund. At most clubs success belongs to everyone and failure to the coach. Sometimes football is not fair to one team, but it was in Dortmund and Borussia deserved to win. Anything is possible though'',said Mourinho who has labelled tonight's game the most important in Real Madrid's history in the past decade.

''I feel this is the most important match in ten years for Real Madrid, but I also felt that in Dortmund and we played like [it was] a friendly. If I don't win the Champions League nothing changes. There are many coaches who haven't won it, so I have to thank God because I've done so twice. "I have considered Borussia candidates to win the competition since the beginning of the season". ----------------------- Complete Sports
 

IPL 2013: Rajasthan tame Bangalore in a thriller

Last Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013, 20:11

Jaipur: Sanju Samson smashed his way to a superb 63 and Brad Hodge conjured up a crucial 32-run cameo as Rajasthan Royals held their nerves to humble formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets in a thrilling Pepsi Indian Premier League match here on Monday. Scorecard» I Highlights» As it happened...» POINTS TABLE» I SCHEDULE» Riding on a number of small contributions, specially R Vinay Kumar`s final-over assault during which he smashed birthday boy James Faulkner for three sixes, Bangalore posted a challenging 171 for six after asked to bat. No batsman played a big knock as Chris Gayle top-scored for RCB with a 16-ball 34 but at least four top-order batsmen score more than 20 runs for Bangalore. Rajasthan responded to the challenge positively with wicket-keeper batsman Samson, who replaced Dishant Yagnik, taking the fight into the rival camp with a blistering knock, laced with nine boundaries, including two sixes. After Samson`s dismissal, Hodge`s 18-ball 32 and Shane Watson`s patient 41-run knock guided the hosts to win with one ball to spare as Rajasthan remain unbeaten at home. Right from his arrival at the crease, upon dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane, Samson dealt in boundaries. The hosts were 45 for one in six overs but Samson brought his side back with his run-spree. At half-way mark he guided the side to 80 for two although hosts, lost skipper Rahul Dravid (22) in between. Watson played a second fiddle and was in good touch as his drives, both grounded and uppish, were struck firmly. Samson became the youngest batsman to score a fifty in IPL at the age of 18 when he hit a crushing boundary off RP Singh in the cover area. Watson smashed the same bowler over his head as the hosts reached 115 for two in 14 overs. Samson was dismissed by Ravi Rampaul but it only got better for the hosts as Hodge came up with a match-winning cameo. The Australian along with his compatriot Watson sent the Bangalore bowlers to leather hunt. Hodge whacked Rampaul for two sixes in the 18th over and it looked an easy stroll for the hosts from there. However, script changed with RP Singh dismissing Watson in the penultimate over and Vinay Kumar accounting for Hodge in the last over. Virat Kohli, showing presence of mind, effected run out of Owais Shah and it seemed Bangalore were pulling off the unlikely win. However, Stuart Binny found a boundary off penultimate ball to seal win for the hosts. Earlier, Bangalore, who were 149 for six after the end of the 19th over, scored 22 runs in the innings` last over with Vinay Kumar hitting Faulkner over deep mid-wicket, long on and over the bowler`s head for three sixes. Though Chris Gayle top-scored for RCB with a 16-ball 34, Vinay Kumar`s 22 runs off just six balls could prove to be the deciding factor in the end. Watson returned as the most impressive bowler with figures of three for 22. Faulkner`s final over spoilt what was turning out to be a decent day for him. Sent into bat, RCB`s Gayle was in his element from the beginning, hitting six fours and a six during his whirlwind knock of 34 that came off just 16 balls. But Watson had the dangerous West Indian caught behind with a ball that was slightly on the shorter side outside off, drawing Gayle to go for a loose cut. After the early onslaught by Gayle, RCB`s run rate dropped considerably and there was a period when Rajasthan conceded just 22 runs in four overs. The visitors struggled to find the ropes for as many as 40 balls before A B de Villiers dispatched Ajit Chandila over midwicket for a boundary. Two balls later Virat Kohli hit one straight down the bowler`s head, before de Villiers reverse-swept him for the over`s third boundary. Chandila`s was a productive over for RCB as they took 16 runs. De Villiers found the fence one more time before S Sreesanth came back to dismiss the South African for a 13-ball 21, the batsman`s slice going straight to the deep point fielder in the first delivery of what was to be a wicket-maiden over. RCB were kept quiet after that before Vinay Kumar smashed those sixes in the final over to spoil Rajasthan`s calculations.  -------------------------- ZEENEWS.com

IPL 2013: Rohit guides Mumbai to 4-run victory over Kings XI Punjab

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 08:39

Mumbai: Captain Rohit Sharma`s batting heroics made all the difference in the end as Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by a narrow four runs in a nail-biting Pepsi IPL clash here on Monday. SCORECARD» | HIGHLIGHTS» | AS IT HAPPENED» Opting to bat, Sharma led from the front with a blistering unbeaten 79 off just 39 balls as Mumbai posted a challenging 174 for three before Punjab were bowled out for 170 in the match that went down the wire. David Miller (56 off 34 balls) and later Praveen Kumar (24 off 15 balls) kept Punjab in the hunt till the end before the latter was out in the last ball of the innings in the match which kept the full-house crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on the edge of their seats throughout. For Mumbai, Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed three wickets for 14 runs while Mitchell Johnson, Dhawal Kulkarni and Pragyan Ojha took two wickets each. With their third straight victory and second at home, Mumbai remained firmly in the hunt for a berth in knock-out phase as they jumped to fourth place with 12 points from nine matches. Punjab are now on sixth spot with eight points from nine matches. Chasing the big score, Punjab lost half their side before the score had reached 80 and were then all out for 170 despite a valiant attempt by Miller and a fighting knock by Praveen. David Hussey, who captained Punjab after regular skipper Adam Gilchrist decided to sit out, made 34 in 18 balls before the left-handed Miller kept them afloat by cracking five sixes and one four in 34 balls. Miller`s late charge helped reduce the target to 37 in three overs before he was caught at short extra cover off the leading edge while trying to hoist Johnson for another leg side six when 26 were needed. The last pair of Praveen, who struck two sixes and one four, and Parvinder Awana (0 not out) took the game to the last over before the former was caught by Sachin Tendulkar off Kulkarni off the last ball of the match. A stunning catch inches inside the long on boundary by Kieron Pollard showcased MI's efficient fielding display. Punjab began the run chase on the rear foot by losing the wickets of Mandeep Singh (9) and Manan Vohra (1) to Lasith Malinga and Johnson in the second and third over when the score had not reached 20 and it became a steeper climb for the visitors. Opener Shaun Marsh (10), picked to play in place of captain Gilchrist, and Hussey flourished briefly in a third wicket stand of 39 before the lanky figure of Pollard plucked an impossible catch with a giant leap on the long-on rope to send back the former. It would have been a sure six off left-arm spinner Ojha had any other fielder been stationed there. Marsh was followed into the hut shortly by Hussey, who hit five fours and a six, and stumper Gurkeerat Singh Mann off Ojha and Harbhajan Singh respectively as the visitors plunged to a sorry 79 for five in the 10 over. Though Miller attacked at one end, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals at the other. Earlier, captain Rohit Sharma, who turns 26 on Tuesday, smashed a blistering unbeaten 79 off 39 balls to power Mumbai to 174 for three after opting to bat. Sharma struck six sixes and as many fours in his knock to take Mumbai from 43 for two in the eighth over to a big score. Other significant contributors for Mumbai were Dwayne Smith (33), Dinesh Kartik (25) and Kieron Pollard (20 not out). Sharma put on 43 runs for the third wicket with Smith and an 88 runs with Pollard for the unfinished fourth wicket. The highlight of his innings was the three sixes and two fours he hit in the final over bowled by Kings XI captain David Hussey who conceded 27 runs in that over. The best bowling effort for Kings XI came from Praveen Kumar (1 for 24) and Piyush Chawla (1 for 24). Mumbai made a disastrous start with Sachin Tendulkar dragging a ball from Praveen Kumar on to his stumps in the third over. He made just nine with two fours, his fifth single digit score in the tournament in nine innings. In-form batsman Dinesh Kartik eased the pressure by hitting Praveen for a four and a six in consecutive balls in the fifth over at the end of which MI were 28 for one. At the end of the sixth and last power play over, Mumbai were 36 with Karthik and Dwayne Smith at the crease. Karthik looked good for a big score before he too dragged the ball on to his stumps off Manpreet Gony after pulling the bowler for a four off the previous ball as MI were reduced to 43 for two in eighth over. Karthik's 25 came off 19 balls. Smith, dropped on 13, struck Chawla for a mighty six but fell top-edging the leg-spinner. The West Indian made 33 in 32 balls with one six and three fours. Sharma carted the expensive Gony for a four and a six in the 16th over to up the tempo. He then reached his fourth half ton of the T20 league with a superbly timed straight loft for his third six off Gony in 18th over. Gony bowled Kieron Pollard in the same over but replays showed it was a no-ball and the West Indian survived. MI added 73 runs in the last five overs, including 27 in the last over bowled by David Hussey who was struck for three huge sixes and two fours by Sharma. ---------------------- ZEENEWS.com

IT'S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!

IT'S MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!

Posted: Apr 30, 2013

Borussia Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl claims Real Madrid will need to "create a miracle" if they are to make the Champions League final.

Jose Mourinho's men are faced with the task of overcoming a 4-1 deficit from the first leg, following Robert Lewandowski's four-goal haul at Signal Iduna Park.

"They will try everything, they want to create a miracle," the 33-year-old told reporters.

"But we're prepared, we'll have to be fully focused on the match and then I'm sure we'll succeed.

"It's going to be a tough match, there's the danger Madrid will overrun us tonight, and therefore we'll have to be ready for anything."

BVB defender Neven Subotic then warned that despite their advantage, BVB must be on their guard to see the tie out.

"We will try to continue bringing our positive attitude to the pitch in the Champions League," he said.
"However, we know that our three-goal advantage doesn't guarantee us anything yet. We know that Madrid will appear a lot stronger at home than they did in Dortmund last week.

Los Blancos face Jurgen Klopp's side at the Santiago Bernabeu on tonight. --------------- Complete Sports

ALBION FAN MOCKS OSAZE AT AWARDS NIGHT

ALBION FAN MOCKS OSAZE AT AWARDS NIGHT

Posted: Apr 30, 2013

TV presenter Adrian Chiles shocked Albion fans by aiming a four-letter insult at rebel striker Peter Odemwingie at the Baggies’ end-of-season awards dinner.

Chiles, who hosted the awards Sunday night at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, left guests and club staff gobsmacked with a joke about the controversial Nigerian, who was not present - citing a heavy cold.

While compering the awards – held to celebrate Albion’s best season in more than 30 years – Chiles joked about Odemwingie’s derogatory tweets about the club and its fans.

The 46-year-old Baggies fan said: “Our fourth award of the evening is for ‘tweet of the year’. Oh, no, sorry it’s ‘t*** of the year’ and the winner is Peter Odemwingie.”

The Nigerian's West Bromwich Albion career hit a new low as photos of the striker were booed at the club’s end-of-season award’s dinner.

Pictures of the player, which appeared in a montage of highlights from the season, were roundly jeered by the crowd. ------------------- Complete Sports
 

Transer Talk!

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Ancelotti would have said 'yes' to Real Madrid

5

0

José Mourinho seems to be leaving Los Blancos at the end of this season and the italian coach is the best candidate to replace him for Florentino Pérez. In fact, he would have already accepted the job

Source: Cadena Cope
Monday, April 29, 2013 4:55 PM

Manchester City target Mazzarri and Cavani

3

0

Manchester City would be ready to offer to Napoli € 63 million to buy Edinson Cavani. Citizens also like Walter Mazzarri that could continue to coach the Matador but in Premier League.

Source: Tuttosport
Monday, April 29, 2013 12:14 PM

Monaco target Hulk

1

0

The Principauté club, close to Ligue 1, wants a top class striker. Despite a contract until 2017 in Zenith, Hulk could sign to ASM this summer.

Source: Mercato365
Monday, April 29, 2013 12:00 PM

De Boer signs for three more years

1

0

Frank de Boer renews his contract at Ajax and will now be in Amsterdam for three more years. This contract keeps him in his position untill the summer of 2017. Interested clubs like Manchester City now have to wait to sign de coach.

Source: Voetbal International
Monday, April 29, 2013 11:34 AM

Bayer Leverkusen keen on Sokratis

1

1

Bayer Leverkusen side want to sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Werder Bremen. The defender has a contract until 2016 and could cost about €10 million.

Source: Kicker
Monday, April 29, 2013 10:34 AM

Villa not longer Arsenal's top target

2

0

David Villa will look to leave Barcelona this summer but the striker may have missed his chance to join Arsenal as Arsene Wenger is now targeting a move for Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic.

Source: Daily Mirror
Monday, April 29, 2013 12:35 AM

Spurs looking to offload Adebayor

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Tottenham are looking to sell Emmanuel Adebayor this summer but are unlikely to find a club who are willing to match his £100,000-a-week salary.

Source: Daily Mirror
Monday, April 29, 2013 12:33 AM

Bruma heading back to Chelsea

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Chelsea's on-loan defender Jeffrey Bruma is returning to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after Hamburg decided they do not want to sell the 21-year-old. ------------- goal.com

Loftus Road rage: QPR owner Tony Fernandes fumes at money grabbers who have not given their all

29 Apr 2013 22:30

'It has shocked me because it is something that is alien to me. Whatever I have done as a job... I put in 150 per-cent' says Malaysian

Alien: Fernandes cannot understand the mindset of some players

Angry Tony Fernandes has blasted the QPR wage-thieves that have ripped the Premier League heart out of the club.
In a blistering attack, the fed-up QPR owner laid into the some of the stars he feels have taken his cash but gone through the motions as the Hoops’  crashed out of the top flight.
Fernandes fumed: "Its an alien concept to me that someone takes someone's salary, doesn't put in 100percent and thinks: 'Oh, we lost. No big deal. What club are we going to tonight.'"
Keeper Julio Cesar was pictured partying at the birthday bash of Chelsea defender David Luiz last week while defender Jose Bosingwa was pictured smiling as relegation was confirmed at Reading on Sunday.
Fernandes added: "It has shocked me because it is something that is alien to me.
"Whatever I have done as a job, for whoever has hired me, I put in 150 per-cent. It's in my character."
The Malaysian businessman has persuaded boss Harry Redknapp to stay with a brutal package of cuts to rid the club of its troublemakers and underachievers soaking up the wage bill.
Redknapp had claimed, after taking over from Mark Hughes last November, that Fernandes had had his "pants pulled down" over several deals since taking over at Loftus Road.
Fernandes claims to have learned his lesson and admitted his resentment has been simmering while watching some of the players take him for a ride.

Goin' nowhere: Harry Redknapp has been convinced to stay

Ben Hoskins

He added: "I haven't said it throughout the season because it wasn't right to be said.
"But it hurt me when I saw some of the players who didn't feel the way I felt.
"And in fact, in their case, it should be worse because this is their job, it's their life.
"It wasn't a good feeling. It was probably the low point for me when I saw the reaction of some of the players."
Bosingwa, hugely unpopular with the squad at Loftus Road, has had offers from the Middle East and is among a string of players who will be offered to other clubs in a bid to raise cash to fund pay-off for other players.
Adel Taarabt is another set to be sold with Cesar understood to be talking to clubs in Serie A about a return to Italy.
But Redknapp will try to keep defender Christopher Samba and midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
Fernandes added: "If I am taking someone else's money, then I am going to work bloody hard for that person.
"It wasn't right to say anything during the season, but I noticed everything and I am a little bit wiser for it now."

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/qpr-owner-tony-fernandes-fumes-1860539#ixzz2RvoB2ffd

Could Fabregas be set for Arsenal return? Transfer gossip and news from Monday's papers

29 Apr 2013 09:20

PLUS: Gunners also tracking France Under-20 midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and Manchester United still hoping to win the race for Robert Lewandowski

Cesc Fabregas: Could he return to Arsenal?

David Ramos

The transfer window may be shut but gossip never sleeps. Here are the latest rumours from the papers and beyond.

Transfer stories and gossip from today's Daily Mirror

Tottenham want to bring in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, Braga's Portuguese forward Eder or QPR hitman Loic Remy to replace Emmanuel Adebayor, but the Togo star says he won't be forced out of the club.
Barcelona striker David Villa will try to force a move to save his World Cup - but may have missed his chance to go to Arsenal.
Striker Loic Remy, defender Chris Samba and keeper Julio Cesar will all be offered to clubs to get them off the QPR wage bill. Liverpool have now joined the hunt for £8million-rated Remy, who is also attracting strong interest from Arsenal, Everton, Spurs and Inter Milan.
Jeffrey Bruma is to return to Chelsea after Hamburg dumped him.

Transfer stories and gossip from other papers and websites

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he is keen to sign Sevilla’s £17million-rated France Under-20 midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, who is also on Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid’s shopping lists. (The Sun)

Geoffrey Kondogbia: Can Arsenal win the race for the France U-20 midfielder?

Getty

Manchester United hope they can still win the race for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, as their banking on the fact the German club won't want to sell to their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. (Daily Mail)
If Lewandowski does leave Dortmund, they could move to replace him with Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse. (Daily Express)
After Robin van Persie scored for Manchester United on his return to Arsenal, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has insisted no more stars will be sold to the Red Devils. (Daily Telegraph)
Barcelona could be ready to sell Cesc Fabregas this summer to finance a rebuilding job at the Nou Camp, putting Arsenal on alert to pounce for their former skipper. (Daily Star)
Sunderland are ready to offer £8m to Tottenham for on-loan left-back Danny Rose. (Metro)
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is plotting an ambitious move for Real Madrid striker Javier Acuna, who is currently on loan at Girona and is out of contract in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/could-cesc-fabregas-return-arsenal-1859168#ixzz2Rvnv6DeV

Champions League: Struggling Ronaldo key to Real revival

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 09:18

Madrid: Struggling Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play as Real Madrid go in search of an unlikely comeback in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The Germans are huge favourites to progress to the final at Wembley on May 25 after four goals from Robert Lewandowski handed them a 4-1 win over the Spanish champions in the first leg at Signal Iduna Park last week.

Any hope of a Madrid revival would seem to depend on their talisman Ronaldo fully overcoming a thigh strain he suffered in the first leg.

The Portuguese has scored 50% of Real`s 24 goals in the competition so far this season, but missed Saturday`s 2-1 win over Atletico in the Madrid derby.


However, he trained on Monday and Real coach Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Ronaldo will play despite continuing to feel his thigh.

Mourinho has called on his side to be more ruthless.

"The team was naive (in the first leg). We played against a player that scored four goals and wasn`t fouled in the whole game, whilst Cristiano (Ronaldo) was fouled five times and the game had barely begun. It was like we were playing a friendly," the Portuguese said.

"Mentally and physically we need to be stronger. At the Calderon on Saturday I saw a team that knew how to suffer and defend. A team that was compact, united, aggressive and worked towards an objective."

Mourinho insisted that the outcome of the second leg would not have an effect on his future at the club.

"My future won`t depend on that. At practically all clubs, not just Madrid, the success is thanks to the players and the failure is that of the manager.

"We have 90 minutes to play and we are 4-1 down. What I am concerned with is analysing what happened in Dortmund and what we have to do tomorrow (Tuesday).

"The game in Dortmund was so bad that I am not concerned about them, I am concerned about what we have to do better. No player is hiding, we are all in the same boat and all of them want to play, which gives me confidence and hope for the game. In football everything is possible."

Angel di Maria`s inclusion in the starting line-up is likely to be the only change in the Real side from the first leg.

The Argentine would have started in Dortmund had the birth of his daughter the day before the game not delayed his arrival in Germany, and he will replace Luka Modric with Mesut Ozil moving back into his preferred central role.

Michael Essien`s return to fitness also gives Mourinho the option of playing the Ghanaian at right-back with Sergio Ramos returning to the heart of the defence, but it is expected that the Spanish international will again line up at full-back with Pepe and Raphael Varane being paired in the centre.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have injury concerns of their own with Polish international full-back Lukasz Piszczek struggling with a groin injury he picked up in the first leg.

Midfielders Ilkay Gundogan (neck) and Mario Goetze (hip) are also carrying knocks and manager Jurgen Klopp made 10 changes for Saturday`s 2-1 win at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Klopp insisted his side won`t freeze despite their relative inexperience on the big stage.

"I don`t think any of our players have played in a Champions League semi-final before, but for us it a similar situation to the German Cup final last year," said Klopp, whose side drew 2-2 in Madrid in the group stage.

"Then we had to face Bayern Munich after we had won the league and they were giving everything, but my players were very cool on that day because the only way to achieve your dream is to be brave so that is what we try to do.

"We could lose the game of course, but the way you lose the game is more important. The players can only give their best and I have no doubt they will do this." ------------------------ ZEENEWS.com

Get In there: Tottenham plan on beating Liverpool to £6.5m signing of Thomas Ince

29 Apr 2013 22:30

Spurs want the England U-21 winger to provide competition for injury plagued Aaron Lennon

Red and buried? Ince came close to joining Liverpool in the last transfer window

Jan Kruger

Tottenham are ready to splash out £6.5 million for Blackpool's young attacker Thomas Ince - as they start planning for next season.
Spurs supremo Daniel Levy wants to agree a fee with the Seasiders as soon as possible and tie up a move for the England under-21 wide man who can play down either wing.
Ince junior - picked in the Championship team of the year - has been a revelation this season and would fit snugly into Andre Villas-Boas's squad because of his versatility.
Liverpool tried to take Ince back to Anfield in the last window but could not agree a price, but Spurs hope they can come up with an offer that hard-bargaining Blackpool chief Karl Oyston cannot refuse.
Ince - whose dad is boss Paul Ince - is also due a slice of the profit after joining Blackpool rather than sit it out as a Liverpool reserve when he was a kid.
Spurs have relied heavily on Aaron Lennon to provide their wing skills this season and he have been lacking in that department when he missed out with injury.
Ince is at an age and stage where he will not demand to be a starter but could expect to play enough games at top-flight level to keep his career going on the upward path.
Levy has always found cash for rising stars and Ince fits that bill, with Tottenham backing out of the chase for Wilfried Zaha in January when Manchester United raised the stakes.

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-plan-beating-liverpool-65m-1860130#ixzz2RvkhBCb3