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Sharks suffer another playoff letdown (AP)

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:18:11 +0000

Sharks suffer another playoff letdown (AP)

Shortly after his San Jose Sharks were swept out of the Western Conference final by Chicago, coach Todd McLellan tried to draw inspiration from the Blackhawks. Just one year after losing in five games to Detroit in the conference final, the Blackhawks are headed to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992 after outskating and outplaying the Sharks in the four-game sweep.

Brunson returns from overseas, reinstated by Spelbolag (AP)

The Minnesota Lynx have reinstated Rebekkah Brunson from the team’s suspended list after her overseas commitments came to a finish. The team says Brunson is expected to participate in practice Tuesday. The Lynx acquired Brunson in the Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft. She has career averages of 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in six WNBA seasons.

WNBA Capsules (AP)

Angel McCoughtry scored 21 points, Erika DeSouza had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream remained undefeated with an 86-77 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday. Iziane Castro Marques scored nine of her 13 points in the final 5 1/2 minutes for Atlanta (4-0), which is off to the best start in the franchise’s three-year history.

Djokovic: Olympics among top priorities (AP)

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:18:13 +0000

Djokovic: Olympics among top priorities (AP)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)After taking three of the four majors and gaining the No. 1 ranking last season, Novak Djokovic is going for prizes beyond Grand Slams in 2012. An Olympic gold medal, he thinks, would go nicely in his collection. Its one of the biggest priorities this year, Olympic Games, Djokovic told a news conference Saturday, only days before he starts the defense of his Australian Open title with a first-round match against Paolo Lorenzi. I had that privilege and honor to represent my country in 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was a remarkable experience, like no other. He won the Olympic bronze medal in 2008, when then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal won the gold. Roger Federer also has an Olympic gold medal from Beijing, although his is in doubles. The London Olympics gold medal has extra emphasis for tennis players, given the tournament will be played at the spiritual home of the sport in Wimbledon. Tennis is just one of so many sports that is present in the Olympic Games, which is the most prestigious, the most valuable, the most well-known sporting event in the history of sport. That says enough, he said. Im very happy to be representing my country again and going back to the Wimbledon grass where I played in 2011, achieved one of my biggest goals. So I hope that I can play well, perform well and bring a medal to Serbia. Of course, that doesnt mean hes taking his eye off the ball at the tennis majorshes not discounting his chances of going one better and winning all four of them this season. Everything is possible, said Djokovic, who wore a tailored suit jacket to the news conference and got straight to business. Obviously 2011 has been the best year so far in my career. Its going to be very difficult to repeat what I have done. But, look, Ive done it once. Why not twice? Why not stay optimistic and positive about the whole season? Obviously Im not thinking too far away from Australiamy focus is directed to this tournament. I want to start off the year well. Djokovic had a 10-1 win-loss record against Nadal and Federer in 2011. He beat Nadal in six finals and his only loss at a major was to Federer in the French Open semifinals. He started the year with a 41-match winning streak that ended with that loss in Paris, but bounced back to win the Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles. He faded at the end of the season when nagging injuries started bothering him, and thats when Federer swooped. The 16-time Grand Slam winner finished off 2011 on a roll, capping it with his sixth title at the season-ending championship in London. And although he didnt win a major last seasonending eight consecutive years of at least one success in the Grand Slam arenaFederer is showing signs that hes still a serious contender at age 30. He finished off the season best from all the other players, Djokovic said. He had over 15 wins in a row. But its a whole new year. Its a whole new season. Were starting to play outdoors. Well see if everybody can keep up. Federer hurt his back and had to withdraw during a tournament at Doha earlier this month, something hed only had to do once before in his professional career. He held some concern about whether hed be fit in time for the Australian Open, where he won his last major in 2010. On Saturday, he said hed be OK to continue his streak of playing in every Grand Slam tournament this century. No. 3-ranked Federer opens his tournament against Russian qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. Today was my first practice where I could play again at a 100 percent, he said. Yesterday I felt good, too. No pain. But at least, you know, I was out there playing full on, but still just a little worried or scared, lets put it that way. Today all thats gone, so I feel like Im back to normal. Federer is also targeting an Olympic gold medal, but it wont be in mixed doubles despite the pressure from the Swiss public for a Federer-Martina Hingis team in London. Federer said the idea of winning another medal for Switzerland was appealing, but it was Hingiswinner of five singles, nine doubles and one mixed doubles title at Grand Slamswho told him in a phone call last month that it wouldnt work. She retired, for the second time, after the 2007 season. She was the one to basically also tell me I should focus on winning singles and defending my doubles, he said. Shes very happy staying in retirement. She thinks its the only right thing for me to do. She basically took the decision for me, which was very nice of her. We were very happy I think at the end of the phone call and didnt have any hard feelings.

Al-Attiyah wins seventh stage of Dakar Rally (AP)

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:18:08 +0000

Al-Attiyah wins seventh stage of Dakar Rally (AP)
SANTA ROSA, Argentina (AP)The death of Argentine bike rider Jorge Martinez Boero on Sunday on the first day of the Dakar Rally focused attention on the hazards of one of motor sports most dangerous events. Organizers said the 38-year-old died from head and chest injuries during a crash on the first stage. The stage from the Atlantic coastal city of Mar del Plata was won by Leonid Novitskiy of Russia in the cars category, and Francisco Lopez of Chile in bikes. Novitskiy finished the special stage in 32 minutes, 12 secondsfive seconds ahead of Polish driver Krzysztof Holowczyc. Both are driving Minis. Stephane Peterhansel of France was third, nine seconds behind the leader. Lopez on an Aprilla crossed the line in 32:37, 14 seconds in front of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain on a KTM. Javier Pizzolito of Argentina was in third place on a Honda, 27 seconds behind Lopez. Fatalities occur often in the Dakar Rally. Last year a man died when his small truck collided with a car participating in the rally. In 2010, a woman watching the race was struck and killed by a vehicle taking part in the race. In 2009, the body of French motorcyclist Pascal Terry was found after he had been missing for three days following the second stage of the race. Details surrounding Martinez Boeros death were not clear, but reports said he may have fallen after running off the course and striking an open sewer line. The organizers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, race officials said in a statement. Police said Martinez Boero died as he was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Mar del Plata. This was his second Dakar. Officials said he withdrew during the sixth stage of last years rally. This is the fourth consecutive year the event is being held in South America. The rally was held in Europe and Africa until the 2008 race was canceled because of fears of terrorism. It was moved to South America the next year. The route this year is different to the first three, which were loop courses from the Argentine capital Buenos Aires to Chile, and then back to Buenos Aires. This year the race begins in Argentina, passes through Chile, and finishes in Lima, Peru, on Jan. 15.

OF Crisp agrees to 2-year deal with A’s (AP)

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:54:04 +0000

OF Crisp agrees to 2-year deal with A’s (AP)
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)A person with knowledge of the negotiations says free agent center fielder Coco Crisp has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Oakland Athletics. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadnt made a formal announcement. ESPN was first to report Tuesday that Crisp, who had hoped to keep playing on the West Coast, would stay put with the As. The 32-year-old Crisp has batted .269 with 16 home runs, 92 RBIs, nine triples and 81 stolen bases in his two seasons with Oakland, which is in rebuilding mode in hopes of being able to relocate to San Jose and build a new ballpark. General manager Billy Beane has unloaded several star players in recent weeks, including starting pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill.

Pistons clamp down on Magic 89-78 (AP)

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:18:08 +0000

Pistons clamp down on Magic 89-78 (AP)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)Dwight Howard caught the ball next to the basket and looked as if he was going up for another dunkthen Detroits Jason Maxiell came up from behind and smacked the ball away from the Orlando star. The Pistons are still a work in progress, but new coach Lawrence Frank liked what he saw from his team on defense in an 89-78 win over the Magic on Monday night. Its another step in a season where were going to have to continue to take many, many steps to get to where we want to go, Frank said. For tonight, its definitely a step in a positive direction. Ben Gordon scored 26 points, and the Pistons overcame some early foul trouble. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince scored 14 points apiece for Detroit, which has won two in a row after losing its first three games of the season. Howard had 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals before fouling out with 2:46 remaining on an illegal screen. Orlando (4-2) was playing a night after rallying to beat Toronto, but the Magic were outplayed by Detroit in the second half. We cant make any excuses, Howard said. They played harder than we did, and thats why we lost. Orlando shot 44 percent from the field and 8 of 22 from 3-point range. Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson each scored 13 points for the Magic. Frank is in his first season as Detroits coach, and the Pistons have held the opposition to 88 points or fewer in three of their first five games. Orlandos previous season low in scoring was 89 points in its opener against Oklahoma City. Howard threw down a powerful early dunk and went on to score 12 points in the first half. Meanwhile, Detroits big men struggled to remain on the court with him. Greg Monroe picked up his second foul just 4:55 into the first quarter. Maxiell replaced him and picked up two in 83 seconds. Maxiell had four fouls by the end of the first half, but Gordon scored 17 points in the first two quarters to keep it close. Orlando led 46-44 at halftime. By midway through the third, Monroes foul count was up to four, but Maxiell was ready to step in. His big block on Howard was a highlight. I was trying to foul him, really. It worked out in my favor, Maxiell said. I think it was all ball. Gordon gave the Pistons a 66-60 lead late in the quarter when his forced 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock went in. Early in the fourth, Detroit rookie Brandon Knight missed from outside but was able to grab an offensive rebound and lay the ball in after Ben Wallace kept it alive. The Pistons led 72-65 at that point, and Orlando called a timeout to regroup. I think what changed the game was Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace, Frank said. They brought a ruggedness to us, a toughness, a physical inside presence. Wallace played 20:18 and didnt attempt a shot, but he had five rebounds and five steals. Chris Duhon made a 3-pointer for Orlando to make it 72-68, but the Magic could pull no closer than four points late in the game. They trailed 85-78 when Jameer Nelson missed from outside with about a minute remaining, and the Pistons had no trouble closing the game out from there. We didnt play any defense and we didnt rebound. I think we ran out of gas offensively, but we never made any commitment to defense, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. Im amazed we were even in shouting distance down the stretch. Monroe capped Detroits victory with a breakaway dunk with 29 seconds to play. Notes: The Pistons outrebounded Orlando 39-28. Monroe had 10 points and nine rebounds in 22:35. Maxiell had nine points in 16:02. Orlando hosts Washington on Wednesday night. That same evening, Detroit hosts Chicago in former Piston Richard Hamiltons scheduled return to Auburn Hills as a member of the Bulls. Hamilton was a late scratch in Chicagos game Monday because of a groin injury.

US opens January Olympic qualifying against DR (PA SportsTicker)

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:18:13 +0000

US opens January Olympic qualifying against DR (PA SportsTicker)
NEW YORK (AP) The U.S. womens soccer team will play the Dominican Republic in its first game at the CONCACAF Olympic soccer qualifying tournament. The schedule released Wednesday has the U.S. playing the Dominican Republic on Jan. 20, Guatemala on Jan. 22 and Mexico on Jan. 24 in Group B. Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba and Haiti are in Group A at the eight-team tournament being held Jan. 19-29 at B-C Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The top two teams from the region that covers North American, Central America and the Caribbean will advance to next summers Olympic Games in London. The U.S.-Mexico game will be a rematch of their CONCACAF Womens World Cup qualifying in November 2010, when Mexico upset the Americans 2-1 in Cancun for its first victory in 26 attempts.

Waldrom arrives ‘home’ to play ‘away’

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:36:28 +0000

Waldrom arrives home to play away
You are here: Betting Guide Rugby Waldrom arrives home to play away With continued concerns over Nick Easters back injury, England have called up Leicester back-row forward Thomas Waldrom to the New Zealand as back up to the squad. The 28-year old is yet to be announced as injured prop Andrew Sheridans replacement, but with both number-eight Easter and flanker Lewis Moody struggling with fitness then Martin Johnson could well announce Waldrom as the man who comes in to provide cover. Johnson was quick to point out Waldrom was, at the moment at least, temporary cover, although the strength in numbers of front-rowers as opposed to the loose-forwards it would surely seem sensible to include the 28-year-old in the squad proper now Sheridan has returned home. Nick Easter is still suffering from a sore back so we will be bringing Thomas out as temporary cover, he said. The New Zealand-born back-row had a stunning debut season in the Premiership with Leicester, finishing the season with the leagues Players Player of the Season. Those following the Rugby Union betting odds will know how good he has been. Waldrom qualifies for England through his grandmother, but did represent the country of his birth for the Under-21 side, as well as the New Zealand Maoris. The powerful forward will now be looking to get into the England squad and play a part in them claiming triumph on New Zealand soil. The former Hurricanes and Crusaders number-eight certainly caught the eye last season with the Tigers, and his pace and power could come in use later in this tournament. While the coaching staff have been making positive noises regarding skipper Moodys fitness, the question marks are still very much there, under the surface at least. Anyone looking at the Rugby union world cup betting needs to bear this in mind. For now though, and the squad will prepare for the Romania game this weekend as it is, without Waldrom, who isnt allowed to take part in any training sessions with the squad until officially named as Sheridans replacement. By the time England finish their group campaign they will be hoping to have a clear indication as to who will be fit to play in the latter stages of this tournament. Related Articles:In-Play Betting New Article Play Bingo and Win 92million Betfred Bingo Free 5 Play Byrne focused for warm-up games Written by Bet123 Filed Under Rugby Comments

Kiwis recall hardships of 1948 London Games (Reuters)

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:18:16 +0000

Kiwis recall hardships of 1948 London Games (Reuters)
By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) – A good old piece of number eight fencing wire helped Ngaire Galloway stay in shape on her trip to the London Olympics in 1948. Just over five weeks on a converted cargo ship the Port Hobart, with very basic facilities, meant she was unable to keep up her fitness as the seven-strong New Zealand team travelled to the first Olympics since the end of World War Two. It was very long and the days stretched out, Galloway, who raced the 100 metres backstroke under her maiden name Lane at the London Games, told Reuters in an interview at the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) Museum on Monday. You missed out on training so the boys used to run around the deck and Dutch (John) Holland put up a hurdle and he used to come belting down the deck. Nick Carter, the cyclist had his bike set up on rollers, but as the days passed I realised I was losing fitness. With some equipment procured from the captain of the boat she set up a flat bench and a weighted pulley system that allowed her to work on her stroke. A video of footage from the long journey, highlighting her unusual training methods, was on display at the NZOC Museum, where she was attending a function that was attended by British Minister of State Jeremy Browne of the Foreign Commonwealth Office and Britains High Commissioner to New Zealand Vicki Treadell. Browne has responsibilty for the legacy effects of the 2012 London Olympics and the function was organised by the NZOC to asertain how they could use the rugby World Cup to drum up more business, government and sporting networking opportunites heading into the London Games. AUSTERITY GAMES Galloway is one of two surviving members of the New Zealand team at the 1948 London Gamesweightlifter Maurice Crow is the otherthe last time the Olympics were held in the British capital. The 85-year-old said the abiding memories of what were eventually labelled the Austerity Games were the devastation in the city, three years after the war ended, and the drive of the British people to ensure they went ahead. It was a real shock to us. We knew about the bombing of course, but it was shocking to see whole areas bombed out. They (the buildings) were still just rubble at this stage. They hadnt begun to rebuild. You could see the stress the people had gone through. It was quite palpable the hardships they had come through and London looked grey. But the people themselves were very pleased the Games were there and they welcomed us very warmly. It was just a wonderful time. And they did so well. They put on those Games and it must have been very difficult. Galloway said coming from New Zealand and going onto the world stage had effected her performance, where she finished seventh in her semi-final. You get so nervous and you feel physically sick. Id never seen a huge crowd like the ones at the pool at Wembley. It was a big jump from the New Zealand swimming championships. Im not making excuses for not doing better than I would have liked to have done (but) I would have loved to have had that swim on the next day. Galloway retired after the London Games to get married and have a family, though she did travel with her husband Ken to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and again to the Sydney Games in 2000 as a spectator. She would have loved a return trip to London for next years Games but felt she would not be able to travel all the way to Britain again, even by boat. Oh no, too far, she said with a laugh. Ill watch it on television instead. (Editing by Alastair Himmer; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com) Please double click on the newslink: for more Olympics stories

X Factor 2011 Odds And Tips Have Janet Devlin The One To Beat

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:00:21 +0000

X Factor 2011 Odds And Tips Have Janet Devlin The One To Beat
<< OLBG Betting News IndexX Factor 2011 Odds And Tips Have Janet Devlin The One To BeatFriday 26 August 2011 at 11:19X Factor week two is upon us and it was a solid start for X Factor 2011 last week
the judges were largely well received and the talent on show certainly wasnt bad
the bookies think we might have already seen the winner in youngster Janet Devlin
who is the early favourite in the X Factor 2011 Odds.Janet Devlin The Pick Of First Week Performers Janet Devlin seemed a bit like Diana Vickers when she performed on X Factor last week
she was probably more shy but she had the same quirkiness and looks as though she could be very likeable
it is therefore no surprise that she is the favourite to win although the odds from Coral of just 2/1 might be placing a bit too much faith in Janet Devlin at this stage
the 5/1 with SkyBet and Stan James looks more realistic. Next best week one act according to the bookies was Frankie Cocozza who is another likeable sort but it would be a big surprise if his voice was good enough to reach the final. The opposite sentiments apply to 66/1 chance with Boylesports Kitty Brucknell
she has a great voice but managed to annoy the crowd and the judges with her antics following her performance.Boys Expected To Dominate Another Series With so many acts so far unseen on X Factor one of the most popular betting markets is on the wining category and the most successful group in recent years has been the Under 25 Boys
they are the favourites at 7/4 with SkyBet and a huge 60% of OLBG Tipsters have gone for that outcome. Under 25 Girls is only just second favourite behind the Boys but they are proving much less popular at 15/8 with Boylesports
just 20% of OLBG tipsters have gone for the Girls whilst 10% of tipsters have gone for the Overs at 10/3 with SkyBet and 10% have tipped the groups for a first win at 4/1 with SkyBet. Rumours have it up to 10 new groups were created at boot camp so that might be a good bet. Click here for more X Factor 2011 Tips or to place your bets click on any of the orange bookie links above.

Turkish coaches sacrifice goats, apparently

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:18:10 +0000

Turkish coaches sacrifice goats, apparently
As NBA players look into the possibility of playing overseas, they’re starting to learn more about foreign cultures. Playing in Turkey or Greece may seem nice when they field salary offers, but the reality could be less pleasant. For instance, did you know that satyrs and centaurs no longer roam around Greece? You learn new things about foreign lands every day! Sometimes, though, the weirdness of an unknown country goes well beyond new food and confusing exchange rates. Because apparently coaches in Turkey sacrifice goats. From Rick Reilly on ESPN.com (via PBT): It was about when one of his coaches chopped the head off a young goat for good luck that Jimmy Baron realized pro basketball in Turkey was unlike any hoops he’d ever played. He was playing for Mercin of the Turkish Basketball League, the same league superstar NBA guard Deron Williams(notes) has agreed to play in during the lockout. They’d lost their first four games of the season and rumor was, if things didn’t get better soon, heads were going to roll. “The coach didn’t speak any English,” says Baron, a 3-point specialist from the University of Rhode Island. “But he motioned me to come out in front of the arena with the whole team. He put us in a circle and there’s this goat standing there. All of a sudden one of the assistant coaches gets out this huge machete. And then — whack! — he cuts the goat’s head off!” The Turkish players immediately stuck their fingers in the blood of the neck and wiped it on their foreheads. “Then they started motioning for me to do it,” Baron remembers. “I’m like, ‘You gotta be crazy!’ And I got the heck out of there.” This story only sounds weird if you didn’t know that Steve Smith once sacrificed a chicken in the Portland Trail Blazers locker room in 2000. Don’t worry, he’s not a pagan. He just wanted to fit in with his teammates. In truth, Baron’s tale is not especially representative of Turkey — former UCLA star Josh Shipp later says that he was pelted with batteries after a game-winning shot, and that seems more accurate than daily blood sacrifices. But vaguely xenophobic stories can still be instructive, and Baron’s encounter with a machete can be used for good. There really is a lot that players have to learn about foreign countries before they play for them. And while Deron Williams won’t be treated the same as a role player like Baron, he’s still going to run into some bizarre stuff every so often. He’ll gladly take a paycheck, but it may not be the most comfortable experience of his life. Or, who knows, maybe Deron’s really into this sort of thing. We’ve never heard much about his personal life, have we? Related: Deron Williams, Portland Trail Blazers, International hoops