SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2009/2010 - ROUND 8 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Lakers Trade Radmanovic

The Lakers traded Vladimir Radmanovic to the Charlotte Bobcats for Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown. Radmanovic averaged 6 ppg as the small forward position for the Lakers. He started the season at small forward but over the season Radmanovic has seen his playing time diminish as Luke Walton and Trevor Ariza have picked up the bulk of his minutes. Radmanovic has barely played at all since Andrew Bynum was hurt. Morrison has had a rough time in Charlotte since being drafted in the 1st round averaging less than 5 ppg. He has been a major disappointment with his poor shooting and even worse defense.

I think this trade might work for the Lakers. This is a low risk high reward move for L.A. Morrison only has another year on his deal and the Lakers gain salary cap flexibility. Plus if Morrison can consistently knock down jump shots he can help stretch defenses for Kobe. If not the Lakers really didn't give up much and got rid of a bloated contract. Shannon Brown is a throw in to make the deal work and another expiring contract.

Boston Breakers

Tony DiCicco, who guided the United States to the Women's World Cup title in 1999, was named coach of the Boston Breakers yesterday. DiCicco, 59, a Wethersfield, Conn., native, is employed as a commentator by ESPN for Women's World Cup games and will begin working with the Breakers after the Sept. 30 final.
DiCicco was commissioner of the Women's United Soccer Association in 2002 and 2003, the league's final seasons. The new women's professional soccer league is expected to launch in 2009 with seven teams - Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, and Washington.
As US national team coach, DiCicco had a 103-8-8 record from 1994-99, before resigning to spend more time with his family. DiCicco was assistant coach for the US when it won the first Women's World Cup in 1991 in China and was head coach of the '96 Olympic championship team.

Sky Blue 4, Western Mass 0

Hometown hero Tobin Heath ensured that the first ever game for Jersey Sky Blue would be a successful one with two goals as Sky Blue claimed a 4-0 victory over the Western Mass Lady Pioneers in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Ridge High School.

USA defeats Congo

In their opening match at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Russia 2006, the Americans had all manner of difficulty defeating the Congolese. Despite dominating for most of the game, they had to contend with a defiant African outfit that came mighty close to clinching a draw. If Tim Schulz's charges are to go far in the tournament, the American coach will need to take urgent remedial action, while his opposite number Poly Bonganya can derive cause for optimism from this narrow defeat.

UNC 1, Maryland 0

The fourth-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team ended its 2009 regular season with a key Atlantic Coast Conference victory, edging No. 8 Maryland 1-0 before a crowd of 1,217 at Ludwig Field for the Terrapins' Senior Day.
After dropping a pair of games last weekend, the Tar Heels bounced back this week to go 2-0 and finish the regular season 14-3-1 overall and 7-3 in the ACC. Maryland fell to 12-4-2 overall and 4-4-2 in the ACC with the loss.

No Becks magic for England

David Beckham earned his 100th cap, but the former England talisman could not change the result.
A hapless England went down 1-0 to France.
Nicolas Anelka earned a penalty which Franck Ribery duely converted.
But Beckham told Sky Sports afterwards that it was still a special occasion.

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United could go all the way

The FA Premier League winners could be decided when Chelsea take Manchester United tomorrwow at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils are currently top of the log with 81 and Chelsea are three points behind on 78. With only three games left in the season this is a must win for Chelsea if they want to take the title home. Sad news for Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard as his mother who was ill with pneumonia passed away and will be likely to miss the match as he has been given compassionate leave. Nemanja Vidic is a doubt for United as he has been out with a stomach bug and it is not certain wether he will be fit for Saturdays clash.

Cristiano Ronaldo who has been fantastic this season will be looking for a good performance as he will want to add his a! mazing 28 goal tally.

If the Red Devils do win this game they would have won their 17th English Premier League title.
Pic: www.goal.com

Boks Set for a Reshuffle

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is likely to make a few changes for this weekend's second test against Wales at Loftus.

Lineout king, Victor Matfield, looks set for a return to the starting lineup after making his presence felt as a replacement in the Boks' 43 - 17 win over the Red Dragons in the first test at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein. Test debutant Andries Bekker will then drop down to the bench after a quiet outing.

The second change is likely to be at tighthead where either BJ Botha or CJ van der Linde steps in for Brian Mujati who struggled a bit in the front row on his debut. Experts however say M! ujati should be given another chance because new combinations take a while before being completely settled.

The big selection poser for de Villiers will be at scrumhalf and fullback. Bolla Conradie played out of his socks after being named in the starting lineup because of a one test ban against Ricky Januarie. The nuggety Stormers scrumhalf is up for selection this week but it's not a done deal that he'll walk back into the starting lineup.

Percy Montgomery showed some nice touches aswell on Saturday after coming off the bench and scored one of South Africa's four tries. But he played outside centre and it's doubtful that de Villiers will replace the solid and much quicker Conrad Jantjes at fullback.

De Villiers is due to make the team announcement on Thursday.

Lewis Shows Street Cred in Rain

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has jumped to the top of the Formula One championship table at the halfway stage thanks to a brilliant drive at a wet Silverstone yesterday.

Hamilton shares top spot with the Ferrari's of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. The McLaren driver was under immense pressure heading into the British Grand Prix, with his home media slaughtering him after his blunder at the Canadian Grand Prix and his tenth place at the French race two weekends ago.

In qualifying, Hamilton was there or thereabout just quietly going about his business while his teammate Heikki Kovalainen stole most of the limelig! ht with his consistently fast qualifying times. But Hamilton came good when it mattered and led his home grand prix from practically start to finish thanks to a great start, an overtaking manoeuvre on Kovalainen and a superior wet-weather strategy.

Ferrari were nowhere with some describing Massa's performance as amateurish at best.

With nine more races to go, the championship is still wide open but in terms of being able to stand up in the face of adversity, I'm backing Hamilton to take his maiden world championship.

Santos face Wits in PSL Opener

Santos coach David Bright says he wants at least 24 points from the first round of the PSL season. Bright took over as coach at the start of the second round last year. He helped the team finish third on the log with 49 points after an ordinary start. The People's Team play Wits away in their opening match on Wednesday night.

Bright says his charges are ready for the 2008/09 PSL season. "We are not preparing for the whole season. Obviously we prepare for the first round - at least to score about 24, 25 points. But I'm happy with preparations, it's rea! lly going well."

Bright says Wits coach Roger da Sa's knowledge of his former club, Santos, won't be a big advantage. "We also know his style of play, so I don't think we'll have much of a problem, although we don't know the players he has signed. I understand they've signed about ten players."

He says Wits will be found wanting if they base their tactics on the way the People's Team played last season. "He doesn't know the way we are going to approach the game, but we know him. We know how he approaches the game. But if he knows me from the last season, then probably he will be in the wrong direction."

Bright says new signing Tyren Arendse brings alot to team. "He's an experienced player from Sundowns. He played for Pirates. And also on the flank, we've got Graham King. He's also a very good player. He's got a lot of experience although he's young. But he once played for the under-23's, so he's a matured player."

Breakfast Headlines

It's do or die for Vodacom Western Province... It always is as they aim to get wins and bonus points and hope to make the Currie Cup semi-finals. Tonight Province face Griquas at Newlands on a mission to reverse their 21-20 defeat earlier this season. Skipper Jean de Villiers says Griquas won't get lucky again...

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WP liefhebbers sal more middag vyf uur die Blou Bulle ondersteun, in die hoop dat die Cheetahs in die stof sal byt en so doende die Streeptruie se kanse, om die halfeindronde te haal, verbeter. Chris Rossouw en Jongi Nokwe is twee sleutel spelers wat terug is vir die Cheetahs en Bryan Habana en Victor Matfield is terug vir die Bulle. Daar's drie uur more Currie Beker rugby op Wellington waar Boland ook die WP kan help in hulle kragmeeting met die Leeus.
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Golf's Ryder Cup tees off Valhalla in Kentucky today. Europe is hoping to make it four in a row against the US. Europe captain, Nick Faldo, says Open and PGA Cham! pionship winner Padraig Harrington could be the key...
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It's winner takes all and a prize of R8 million when Sundowns face Chiefs in the MTN 8 final at eight tomorrow night.
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There are no PSL matches, but the big one in the English Premier League is Chelsea versus Man United at Stamford Bridge at 15h00 on Sunday.
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In the UEFA Cup there were wins for Tottenham, Man City and Aston Villa. Everton came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with Belgiums' Standard Liege.
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Maritzburg United centre-back, Gary Goldstone, has been fined R50 000 and has been suspended for two games for his elbow on Chiefs striker Tshepo Bulu. It's an expensive foul, as he's also been fined 30 thousand rand by his club.
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World number one Ana Ivanovic is still battling to find form as she bombed out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo - losing to Nadia Petrova.
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The penultimate round of the national rally championship, the Swar! tland Rally, starts at the Killarney Racetrack tomorrow, with ! Hergen F ekken four points away from claiming the championship.

Breakfast Headlines

The Nashua Cape Cobras have made their intentions clear with a massive 101 run win over the Nashua Titans in their opening MTN Championship match. Fifties from JP Duminy and Justin Ontong helped the Cobras to 208 and the Titans were 107 all out. Claude Henderson took four wickets.

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The Gestetner Diamond Eagles beat the bishub Highveld Lions by 6 wickets.
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The Proteas are confident that spinner Robin Petersen and left-arm paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe can make the step up after replacing Albie Morkel and Andre Nel in the squad to tour Australia. South Africa wrapped up the first test against Bangladesh with an innings and 129 run win on Saturday.
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India have secured the one day series with a 19 run win against England in the fourth match.
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Australia completed a 149 run win over New Zealand in the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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Die Springbokke sal vanoggend as helde terugkeur na hulle ! ruese 42-6 oorwinning oor Engeland. Dis Engeland se grootste nederlaag op Twickenham ooit.
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Meanwhile, Wasps and British Lions coach Ian McGeechan says England flyhalf Danny Cipriani must bounce back from criticism after poor performances against Australia and South Africa...

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Wales winger Shane Williams has been named IRB Player of the Year. Springbok winger Bryan Habana handed Williams his award and meanwhile also confirmed he's thinking of a move to France once his contract with the Bulls ends next year next year. The All Blacks won Team of the Year and Graham Henry has been named Coach of the Year.
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Ajax Cape Town beat Bay United 3-1 to go fourth on the log.
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Bafana Bafana coach, Joel Santana, has targeted winning the Confederations Cup in June. South Africa are in Group! A with Iraq, Spain and New Zealand. Brazil, USA, Italy and Eg! ypt are in the other group.
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In England, Tottenham climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-0 win over 10-man Blackburn. West Ham United scored their first win for two months with a 1-0 success at Sunderland.
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In A1 GP, South Africa's Adrian Zaugg bounced back from a disappointing qualifying yesterday to finish fifth, after starting the feature race in the third round of the A1 GP in 16th place. Ireland became the first two-time winner this season.
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Fernando Verdasco won the Davis Cup for Spain in Argentina yesterday, beating Argentina's Jose Acasuso.

Exclusive Super 14 prediction game update

Yours truly is leading our exclusive rugby prediction game! Call it luck or call it skill it doesn't matter.

I'm currently on 7 points (9 including 2 bonus points), Ratty's second on 4.5 (5.5 with a bonus point), Stormer69 (Morne Esben) is on 4 points (5 with a bonus point) and Stomper is also on 4 (4.5 with half a bonus point).

KFM SPOT is fifth with 3 points (4 with a bonus point), JasonX has 2.5 (3 with half a bonus point), Snoop has 2 points and bringing up the rear is derkus with a single point.

To be fair, Snoopy and Jason X did miss a few picks, but it's still early days and anything can happen.

We all got the Stormers pick wrong, although it will be easier this week against the Reds I think.

Do or die for Newcastle

Kfm's soccer correspondent Richard Gomes says tonight's Premiership game between Newcastle and Middlesborough is the biggest in both club's history.

The Magies go into the game level on points with Borough as they battle for survival in top flight English football.

With three games to go a win is vital to either club as they look to keep their Premiership status

Gomes says Alan Shearer's arrival at Newcastle has breathed new life into the club.

"He ! has instilled disciplined since he came to the club five and half weeks ago and the players are all upbeat. They now realize that they need to take maximum points tonight and I think that it's a night for their men to stand up and be counted."

Gomes added there are huge financial implications should Newcastle get the drop.

"Defeat tonight will push one of the sides to the brink financially especially with the heavy payroll their players are on. To tumble out of the Premier League into the Championship will cost each club around 40 million pounds."

Fuji Speedway: It's been 'Tilked', but it's worthy

Fuji Speedway has played host to Formula One in 1976 and 1977. It did not return to the Formula One calendar until 2007 after it replaced the awesome Suzuka circuit as the home of the Japanese Grand Prix. Although the current GP circuit layout is bland in comparison to its super fast and dangerous younger days, the track is still a worthy challenge to Formula One drivers and sits in the picturesque foothills of Mount Fuji.

Just as the Suzuka circuit, if you have played the video game Pole Position, you know the old Fuji circuit very well as it is the f! irst circuit to be featured in a video game. The circuit has been owed by Toyota since 2000, but interestingly it started life in 1963 as Japan NASCAR Corporation. The circuit was originally intended to be a 2.5 mile high-banked superspeedway in the mold of Daytona and Monza but there was not enough money to complete the project and only one of the dramatic high banks was ever built. Similarly to Monza, the remains of the banking is still visible. In 1965 under new management the Fuji circuit was converted to a road course and began to hold races. Fuji proved to be somewhat dangerous with the banked turn regularly resulting! in major accidents. A new section of track was built that byp! assed th e high banking which provided improved safety; although the circuit was still very fast.

The 2 Formula One races staged at Fuji prior to 2007 proved to be dramatic and tragic. In 1976, James Hunt beat Niki Lauda to the title after Lauda withdrew due to dangerous rainy conditions and in 1977 2 spectators were killed during the race when Gilles Villeneuve crashed. Formula One returned to this scenic venue for the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix and it continues to pose many a technical challenge although its speeds are no longer what they could be on the old circuit.

In a phrase, it has been "Tilked". In other words, ! the circuit was reconfigured by German architect Hermann Tilke whose general style of circuit re-design has drawn many criticisms ranging from neutering great tracks like Hockenheim to designing glorified karting circuits like Bahrain. There are plenty of people that would consider the current Fuji layout to be one of those instances of a circuit being neutered, especially in light of some of Tilke's recent designs in Istanbul and Valencia.

In its current layout, Fuji is a mix of slow corners with the ever inviting super long main straight where cars will top out around 200mph. Although drivers will be full throttle for only 53% of the lap, it is be a test of reliability given the e! xtremes that the engine will face in the rev range from the af! ore ment ioned long straight to the complex of hairpins and chicanes.

Given the location of the track, weather is always a factor and should be on the teams' minds especially given the championship implications. This old circuit even with its modern face lift, will still provide quality racing.

Ian Rush: Martin Skrtel Is Looking Back To His Best For Liverpool FC

Martin Skrtel will have been as disappointed as anyone to have lost at Chelsea.

He's had his moments this season in a back four which hasn't been water-tight. But on Sunday the Slovakian had a terrific game, right back on form.

He has just needed games and now that he has them he's improved his match fitness and sharpness.

Sunday was his best performance this season without question.

If he and the lads felt a bit down by the result they should remember one stat I heard as Liverpool's title chances were being written off by some.

Liverpool have 15 points from eight games. Guess who had the same total at this stage last season?

Steve Bruce has done a really good job at Sunderland already this season.

He knows English football and the Premier League so well by now – and I'm sure he'll have them safely in the top half of the table come the end of t! he campaign.

The fact Sunderland were bitterly disappointed not to bag all three points at Old Trafford on Saturday tells you they are a capable outfit.

So when we go there for our next league game it will be a stiff test.

But it's clearly a test this Liverpool side is more than capable of passing.

Of course the international break means we will have to wait a while for our chance at Sunderland.

But if everyone comes back fit and on the day we can keep the Stadium of Light crowd quiet, then three very good points are there to win.

Debt Could Force Sale Of Gerrard And Torres

A document actually nicknamed The Doomsday Book was prepared as Tom Hicks and George Gillett flirted with catastrophe last season.

It spelled out the consequences if the owners' failed to secure their £290million refinance deal.

And it was only because the Royal Bank of Scotland feared a massive backlash if they allowed one of the world's biggest clubs to go into administration that Liverpool were able to reject a £70m bid from Manchester City for Fernando Torres.

Unless the Americans sort out their differences and find investment before their next deadlin! e, the threats will resurface.

Club officials have consistently dismissed criticism of the Americans' reign as "scaremongering".

But today Sport of the World can reveal it's scaremongering based on Liverpool going through the unprecedented, humiliating step of being forced to convince UEFA they qualified for a licence to play in the Champions League.

In the aftermath of last year's qualified audit report by KPMG which cast doubt on the parent company's "ability to continue as a growing concern" Liverpool were summoned to the Premier League to guarantee they would resolve their financial difficulties.

Both Liverpool and the Premier League agree it was a formality the Merseysiders' application would be successful, but the fact any questions were raised at all will shock the Kop.

Liverpool face the genuine prospect of having to offer similar reassurances ahead of next year's UEFA competitions, something they'll be unable t! o do without the promise of a massive injection of cash.
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Th at explains why the club has been working overtime to present a healthier financial picture over the last few months, citing the £80m shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered as a major step forward.

It also explains the increased urgency to find investors.

Privately, the club is adamant they will have new partners on board within six months. If they fail to do so, the consequences will be dire.

It's likely the Premier League underestimated exactly how fraught the last refinance negotiations were.

American bank Wachovia, now owned by Wells Fargo, was hesitant about agreeing its share of the loan, which amounted to around £62m. It needed a series of transatlantic flights ahead of the July 25 deadline to plead for an extension. RBS, the more enthusiastic of the lenders at the time, was initially only prepared to offer a six-month extension for the rest of the owners' loan.

That would not have been enough to satisfy U! EFA guidelines, as the Premier League needed assurance funds would be in place to keep the club afloat for the whole season.

RBS made sure Liverpool dodged a bullet, but the gun is continually being reloaded.

The bank is understood to be increasingly twitchy about their ongoing relationship with the Merseysiders.

Hicks and Gillett maintained a united front to reassure their banks, but that has been exposed as a sham, with open hostilities resumed as the pair differ on the direction of the club. The Americans' accountants are trying to raise £100m for a 25 per cent stake in Anfield.

Rothschilds and Merill Lynch want to issue new shares which would reduce Hicks and Gillett's holding to 37.5 per cent each.

That injection would allow the owners to reduce debt levels and plough more funds towards one of the two Stanley Park plans or redeveloping Anfield.

But the Americans can't even agree on this.

Hicks! is standing by a revised scheme which could lead to a 70,000-! seater s tadium.

Gillett is still open to the idea of extending the existing Anfield site.

Neither is likely at the moment.

The prospect of taking a back seat while the main shareholders fight on is hardly enticing to potential investors.

Recent interest from Saudi Prince Faisal exposed the massive rift.

Hicks has made it known he won't veto his partner selling his 50 per cent stake to the Saudi, but that has never been on the agenda as far as Gillett is concerned and Hicks' stance does nothing to mend divisions.

Gillett has often claimed he is not prepared to sell up unless it leads to both co-owners leaving Anfield.

There have been farcical scenes in the Middle East with each owner pursuing the same investors but presenting alternate visions for the future of Liverpool.

One City source said the owners were "virtually racing each other to get through the Saudi equivalent of Yellow Pages" in a des! perate attempt to bring money into the club.

A year ago, Merrill Lynch even approached Birmingham's outgoing owner David Sullivan to see if he was interested in Liverpool.

An option explored by investors is to buy the debt directly off RBS.

If the Americans' couldn't pay it back, the club would pass into the hands of those who own the debt.

Liverpool have no shortage of suitors, but only at the right price.

Gillett and Hicks paid £5,000 a share for Liverpool in 2007.

Including £44.8m debts, this valued the club at £218.9m.

Even in 2007, the deal raised eyebrows given the value of previous offers.

The failed bid of Dubai International Capital (DIC) a month earlier valued Liverpool at £4,000 a share. In the summer of 2004, Wolves owner Steve Morgan valued Liverpool at £2,700 a share, equating to around £100m, and had shaken hands on a deal pending the outcome of due diligence.

W! hen that revealed the true extent of the club's debts he revis! ed his o ffer, which was turned down by then chairman David Moores.

Club officials insist comparisons between the club's value in 2004, 2007 and now are ridiculous, arguing Liverpool have vastly improved their revenue streams and value of their playing assets since then.

They say securing top names on long-term deals has enhanced the club's value.

Given the level of debt, convincing investors about this is proving a problem.

Amid all this, Rafa Benitez's side face a crucial period.

Euro progress and cash has been the key to Liverpool retaining their place as an elite club, making Tuesday's must-win clash with Lyon far more significant off the field than the clash with Manchester United next Sunday.

Hicks and Gillett know they're running out of time.

They're dreaming of a minority investor who's willing to pay off some of their debt and take a backseat while they continue to bicker on the way forward.
But as the pressure mounts from their banks, conceding majority shareholding remains the easiest and quickest way to safeguard Liverpool's future - and avoid their 'Doomsday' scenario.

Liverpool FC's Andrea Dossena Wants Return To Italy

Andrea Dossena would like to return to Italy, according to his agent.

The Liverpool left-back has recovered from a groin injury and could feature in the Carling Cup tie at Arsenal.

The 28-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Napoli this summer after just one season in the Premier League with Liverpool following his move from Udinese.

"It's clear that the player would like to return to Italy," Dossena's agent Federico Pastorello said.

"He is playing very little at Liverpool and he doesn't want to miss the train for the World Cup.

"I hope th! at, having recovered from the injury, he will play in the Carling Cup.

"Andrea, in any case, must do the maximum to return to have a regular spot at Liverpool."

Sexy Wear for Young Girl Model

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New York Dream Girls Soundtrack

New York dream girls soundtrack

Dube returns to KTM

By John Hopkins

St-Bruno, QC -- Two-time Canadian Motocross national champion Marco Dube will ride KTMs in motocross, arenacross and Supermotard competition in 2005.

"I am really happy to be back on KTMs and I will do my best to put orange on motocross, arenacross and Supermotard podiums," said Dube as the deal was signed at KTM Canada's head office last Wednesday.

Dube will race the eastern portion of the Canadian Motocross Nationals on a 450SX and maybe some of the western events, according to a KTM Canada press release. He will also compete in the Quebec Arenacross Series, which starts in Victoriaville Apr. 22-23.

Additionally, the 1996 and '98 Canadian MX champ will race in the Supermoto Canada National Championship. Last year he won the Quebec series season opener.

"I am looking forward to getting back to work with Marco," said Andy White, KTM Canada race manager, who previ! ously managed Dube in the Diablo Honda team. "I am sure it will be a successful season."

Dube rode for Team KTM / Aldo in 2001, winning a Canadian Arenacross title, Quebec Arenacross crown and placing second in the Montreal Supercross.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Morgan sweeps Valcourt

From WPSA

VALCOURT, QC — Blair Morgan said last week at Park X of Quadna he was out to be the spoiler this weekend. A spoiler he was as the man they call "Superman" won both ends of the professional classes during Sunday's WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt Snocross race.

Morgan (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo) returned to Valcourt after breaking his leg here last year; an injury that took him out for the season at a time when he was comfortably in the lead in both the Pro Open and Pro Stock points. Morgan's return was made with an exclamation point as he was simply dominant here this weekend, as he ran away with both the Pro Stock and Pro Open finals.

Morgan took the lead with a holeshot at the beginning of the Pro Open final and wasn't seriously challenged from there. Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports-Dupont/Polaris) finished second, ahead of local favourite Dave Allar! d (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo).

"This feels great to come back here after last year and sweep the event," said Morgan, who only recently recovered from another injury: a badly broken thumb suffered in pre-season testing. "This is especially sweet for Ski-Doo. This is their race, in their backyard, and we just re-signed with them, so it's nice to give them this victory. The injury hasn't been bothering me at all and it feels great to be back out here."

Martin's second-place finish marked his fourth Pro Open podium finish, a streak that includes two wins. He now holds a 26-point lead in the Pro Open standings.

Allard, who hails from St. Prime, QC, was happy to earn his second-straight Pro Open podium.

Robbie Malinoski (Olah Racing/Arctic Cat) took the holeshot in the Pro Stock final, but Morgan shadowed him for six laps waiting to pounce. Malinoksi bobbled slightly going into the final turn and Morgan capitalized, taking the l! ead. Malinoski challenged Morgan on the next lap, running side! by side heading to the finish line, but Morgan held him off and cruised to the victory, his first in Pro Stock competition this season.

"We've been kind of struggling with the stock sled," said Morgan. "It feels good to win in the stock class. I was just looking for anywhere I could pass Robbie. I bumped him a few times and showed him a ski here and there, waiting for him to slip up."

Malinoski held on for second, earning his first Pro Stock podium this year and in the process, taking the Pro Stock points lead from Martin, who dropped to third in the standings.

Dennis Eckstrom (AMSOIL/Polaris) was third, turning around a string of negative fortune that has plagued his AMSOIL/Red Bull team for the last three events.

Mathieu Morin (Warnert Racing-Formula XPS/Ski-Doo) won the Semi-Pro Open race ahead of Brett Bender (TEAM Industries/Polaris) and Phil Johnson (Kowalski Racing/Ski-Doo).

Inside Motorcycles // www! .insidemotorcycles.com

My NBA End of Season Awards

Most Improved: Danny Granger- Indiana Pacers

This is tough one to predict but Granger, who is averaging 25.7 pts 5.0 reb 2.7 ast, has improved in many statistical categories from 07-08. Although Granger was not terrible in 07-08 by any means, he has risen to become an absolute superstar for the Pacers.

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose- Chicago Bulls

Another difficult choice but I think this one has to go to the position that Rose plays. OJ Mayo has better scoring numbers and has had some explosive games, but Derrick Rose stepped into the most difficult position in the NBA as a 20 year old and guided his team to the playoffs averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists.

Sixth Man: Lamar Odom- Los Angeles Lakers

Odom, who started 30 games for the Lakers this season, took a bench role when Andrew Bynum returned to the Lakers from injury. Odom is averaging 11.3 pts, 8.2 reb, an! d 2.6 ast. But most importantly about the sixth man position he provides that much needed spark off the bench. The attitude of the Lakers change when Odom steps on the floor which to me is a big part of being the sixth man.

Coach of the Year- Stan Van Gundy- Orlando Magic

Van Gundy was able to keep Orlando in the playoffs and carry at 22-11 record after losing their starting point guard Jameer Nelson. The Magic will finish the season with the fourth most wins in the league with a team full of disciplined role players. A good coach is able to keep his team focused even when faced with adversity.

Most Valuable Player- LeBron James- Cleveland Cavliers

His stat sheets are incredible 28.4 pts. 7.6 reb 7.2 assists. The Cavaliers have had a dream season, especially at home where they are 40-1. This is where the debate comes in about this award. Strong arguments can be made for other players aroun! d the league but Lebron is dominating in many aspects of the g! ame, tak e LeBron off the Cavaliers and they will not even sniff the playoffs. Add LeBron and they can contend for the Championship.

Matt Holliday to the Cardinals

The NL Central just got stronger. The Reds are now closer to the basement dwelling Pirates than they are the NL Central leading Cardinals, and the Cardinals just got a little better. Holliday's numbers have suffered in Oakland this year but he has historically shown that he has some pop in his bat. St. Louis will more than likely solidify themselves as top of the NL Central once again. The Reds are rebuilding but it is tough to match up with the Cards with Pujols, Holliday, Carpenter, and Ludwick.

Meet the Dumbest Guy in the NFL, Owen Schmitt

Do Over?

-Keefe

The two teams that made the biggest moves at the deadline (I don't count the Lakers stealing Gasol, because there was no dice rolling there, they just took all the chips), the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks both find themselves staring at an 0-2 deficit in Round 1 of the Playoffs. Was it worth it? Is it too early to tell? Let's first look at the Suns.

They were in 1st place (38-10) in the West at the time they made their move to acquire the 36 year old Shaquille O'Neal, who has played over 45,000 minutes between regular and post season games. I predicted that they would not host a first round playoff series, as soon as they made ! the trade. I don't care if Shawn Marion wanted out, he was playing fine, and with the make up of this year's Western Conference they could have won with that team. Instead they just slowed their team down and actually got worse at defense.

Shaq was dismal in Game 1 vs. the Spurs putting up just 11 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of a double OT loss. He came back stronger in Game 2 with a solid 19-14, but the bottom line is they find themselves going back to Arizona have to win 4 of the next 5 games. The Suns simply can not stop Tony Parker (26 & 32) and Manu Ginobili (24 & 29). You know who would look good in a Suns uniform right now? Shawn Marion. A guy who could guard Parker or Ginobili, but where could they find someone like that? Well if you watched the Heat games the last month, your guess on where Marion is as good as mine.

This trade looks awful. Sure Steve Kerr shook things up a little bit, shook them up enough to have the Suns bow ! out of the 1st round for the first time since they added Steve! Nash in 04-05. I never understood the trade when it happened, and now it's just proving me and many others right. A team with Nash, Bell, Hill (did he get hurt?!? Really?), Marion, and Amare would have been a top 4 seed and potentially made the NBA Finals. Now they will fail to even win a series. Can't say I didn't see it coming.

As for the Dallas Mavericks, they gave up a young point guard in Devin Harris, and apparently a chance to play with LeBron. (He said he was interested in Dallas when they had Harris). I liked this trade more than Phoenix's, but it looks as though they will have the same results. Dirk isn't tough, and Kidd is not the same (like Shaq). Chris Paul is just killing them and David West is mocking last year's MVP.

Don't be surprised if the league g! oes back to the way it was with teams too scared to pull major moves at the deadline. After watching the Suns and the Mavs clubs may think they're better off with what they have. It's too bad. Or maybe they'll see what the Celtics and Lakers did, (find a bad small market team that wants to dump salary and will take youngsters and picks for franchise players) and we could still see some major names on the move.

Side note: Is anybody seeing what Chris Paul (averaging 33.5 and 13.5) and Dwight Howard (averaging 27-21) are doing in the playoffs so far? Good lord.

Florida Panthers Play by Play

Maybe I'd enjoy hockey a lot more if this guy did every game.

Jimmy the Greek's Week 4 NFL picks

Last week was a banner week for the Greek. Not only did I go 13-3 against the spread, but I correctly picked 15 of 16 winners in the Pigskin Pick'em on wgamradio.com and s-t.com. With that success, I won a $50 gift card to Sky Lounge from the boys at WGAM and a $10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts and 2 free passes to Monster Mini-golf from The Standard Times (s-t.com and my hometown paper). Needless to say, I was a happy prognosticator come Tuesday morning.

This week seems a bit tricky, and to be honest, I feel like I could go 14-0 just as easily as going 0-14. Let's hold our collective breaths...

Colts (-6.5) over Seahawks
Despite the coaching changes, injury to Gonzalez and departure of Marvin Harrison, Peyton Manning is showing why he's a 3-time MVP. This guy could throw for 4,000 yards and 35 TD's if Besse and Keefe were flanked out wide. Seattle is decimated by injuries (again), particularly on defense. See ya later.
!
Bengals (-5.5) over Browns
I love this Bengals team. Chad OchoCinco is one of the great personalities of the NFL, and he seems rejuvenated and ready to lead this team to the playoffs with a healthy Carson Palmer. The Browns may not win a game in 2009, so who's to think the Bengals can't cover a measily 5.5?

Pats (-2.5) over Ravens
In Week 2, Phillip Rivers threw for over 400 yards against this Ravens secondary. I think Tom Brady comes close to that. This Ravens team is good, don't get me wrong, but they've played the Browns, Chiefs and Chargers. San Diego is the best of that weak bunch, and it took a Ray Lewis miracle stop on 4th down to do it. My buddy Kevin told me he saw an interview with Lewis where he said he wasn't supposed to blitz there...he saw them run that play in film study and just jumped it. That's brilliant, and so is Lewis.

Lions (+10.5) over Bears
I think the Bears win this, but the 10.5 scares me b! ecause i t has 27-17 written all over it. The Lions will score, but so will da Bears. Forte should get it going and Cutler is finding his rhythm. I like the Lions to cover though.

Texans (-9.5) over Raiders
If Jamarcus Russell of today went back in time and played Notre Dame in the 2006 Sugar Bowl, would LSU still win that game? I honestly don't think so. Look for the Texans to light up the scoreboard, and Steve Slaton to finally find paydirt.

Giants (-9.5) over Chiefs
This could get really, really ugly. The Chiefs suck, plain and simple.

Titans (-2.5) over Jaguars
The Titans run defense should bend but not break against an elite back like MJD3, and I think the same will go for the secondary. The difference will be the Titans offense. The Jaguars D is just as bad, if not worse, and I expect Tennessee to finally hit the win column. This has been a brutal schedu! le thus far, but a solid showing against a good Jets team means they're turning the corner.

Redskins (-6.5) over Bucs
Tampa Bay has a new head coach, who went and fired his O-coordinator 2 weeks before the season, then benched his quarterback for a guy who races on the NASCAR circuit. I don't who they're playing or how many points they're getting. No thanks.

Jets (+6.5) over Saints
Saints win, Jets cover in an awesome to watch shoot out.

Bills (-2.5) over Dolphins
If Pennington was the QB, I take the Dolphins. But I don't know much about Chad Henne as an NFL quarterback. Which sucks, because after watching Pierre Thomas light up the Bills defense last week, I would love to bank on Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. I think they both perform well, but Buffalo should at least cover.

Rams (+9.5) over 49ers
I think! we see a slight letdown from last week's shocking, last secon! d loss t o the Vikings for Mike Singletary's club. I think San Francisco will either survive a scare or lose outright, especially with Frank Gore still ailing and out for today's game.

Broncos (+3.5) over Cowboys
A true test to gauge where both teams are at. The potent Cowboys offense against a Broncos D that has been solid so far, but perhaps overachieving? And on the flip side, Kyle Orton has yet to turn the ball over. But Dallas played well last week against Carolina, finally getting its first sack. Is it finding its rhythm on D?

Chargers (+6.5) over Steelers
Ugh, this has trap game written all over it. SD getting these points seems too easy. What do they know that we don't? I'm going to be a sucker and take the points. Pitt's D is still suspect and the offense will be slowed without Willie Parker.

Packers (+3.5) over Vikings
I'm sick of Brett Favre and his! antics, and the fact that the media continue to stroke his ego. I'll be rooting for Aaron Rodgers all night long.

Last week: 13-3
Overall: 30-18

Tarrific Tara's picks:

Colts
Browns
Patriots
Da Bears
Texans
Giants
Titans
Redskins
Jets
Dolphins
Rams
Cowboys
Steelers
Vikings

Last week: 11-5
Overall: 18-14

Enjoy the games.

-Greek

Sleepy Steelers seal win

Pohang Steelers warmed up for the second leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final against Bunyodkor with a 2-1 win.

Pohang made six changes from the team which lost 3-1 four days previously in Tashkent and took the lead after 26 minutes.

Yoo Chang-hyun burst into the box, his short pass found Steva Ristic in space and the Macedonian made no mistake with a left-foot shot.

Busan drew level from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time as Park hee-do ! was brought down in the box. Kang Sung-jo stepped up to convert the kick.

Midway through the second half, substitute striker Denilson headed home a Cho Chan-ho free-kick for the winner.

The three points put Pohang just two behind leaders FC Seoul and one behind Jeonbuk Motors, who are second.

"We only arrived home on Friday and from the start of the game, the players were tired," said Pohang boss Sergio Farias.

"It was a really difficult game and I am just happy that we managed to get three points. We won but this is a game we could have lost. We had a bit of luck when it mattered.

"Now we have to get ready for Wednesday."

Elsewhere, champions Suwon Bluewings kept their hopes of a play-off place alive with a 3-1 win over in-form Gyeongnam FC.

Brazilian striker Eduardo opened the scoring from the spot and compatriot Tiago sealed the points in the second half.

Chunnam Dragons did their chances of a top-six finish no harm! at all thanks to a 2-0 win over Seongnam Ilhwa. Adrian Chuva ! got both goals as Chunnam leapfrogged Seongnam into fourth place.

Manchester United 2 Wolfsburg 1

The Champions League game between Manchester United and Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on Wednesday Sept 30, 2009.

One-nil down to German opposition in Europe? No problem. Manchester United have been here before, most famously to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, and they duly kept their nerve, showed their experience and motored to victory against the tidy VW works team with a deflected free-kick from Ryan Giggs, his 150th goal for the club, and ! a splendid strike from Michael Carrick.

Apart from occasionally suspect defending, the only disappointing moment of the night was that Michael Owen lasted only 20 minutes in front of Fabio Capello before succumbing to a groin problem. The England striker, the scourge of German defences in the past, left the field to chants of "Auf wiedersehen'' from the lively Wolfsburg supporters.

As they departed into the drizzle, United fans will still have been delighted by three points and strong performances from Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and the two goalscorers.

As the rain swept across the Pennines, persuading a few United fans to stay at home in the dry, the champions of England had begun uncertainly, their defence betraying a worrying nervousness, a trait that would be seen in Edin Dzeko's second-half goal.

Early on, Nemanja Vidic lost possession deep in his area, all! owing Christian Gentner a brief sight of goal. Then Patrice! Evra sk ewed a cross-field ball straight to Dzeko, who fired wide. One of the features of the Premier League season, errors at the back, were being carried across into the Champions League.

When Rio Ferdinand was then beaten by Grafite, the writing seemed on the wall but United re-grouped, saw off the danger and started to reveal their class. If Vidic was still vulnerable at times, Ferdinand settled well, showing fine anticipation to snake out a foot and nick the ball off Dzeko.

The back-door rocking less on its hinges, United pushed forward, the charge surprisingly led by Antonio Valencia. Having arrived from homely Wigan Athletic, Valencia's start to his United career has been characterised by inhibition but he raised his adventure levels in the first half, running at and beyond Wolfsburg's left-back, Marcel Schafer, who was fortunate not to concede a penalty when handling one cross from United's No 25.

Pinching posses! sion off Schafer moments later, Valencia instantly transferred the ball inside to Berbatov and tore into the box. Berbatov, in lively form, back-heeled the ball into Valencia's path but the Ecuadorean screwed his shot wide. Old Trafford really started warming to Valencia.

Berbatov, having replaced Owen, was similarly inspired, dropping off Rooney and constantly looking to thread eye-of-the-needle passes through the German back-line. Holding off two defenders, Berbatov flicked the ball through to Carrick, who was enjoying a decent half, and had timed his run well to beat the offside trap. Benaglio saved well.

The half finished with more flowing moves from United, first the ball heading towards Rooney via two back-heels from Valencia and Berbatov but Benaglio saved again. Valencia then crossed and Carrick, stretching, managed to make contact but Benaglio clutched the header.

On another encouraging note just before th! e break, Owen Hargreaves ran down the steps of the director! s' box, clearly moving freely after his knee operation. The England international hopes to be playing by the end of November, good news for Capello as well as Ferguson.

United continue to pressure after the break, Anderson briefly threatening. Wolfsburg continued to absorb and hit on the counter, notably in the 56th minute when they seized a shock lead. Poor concentration and positioning cost United. As Viktor Kassai played advantage after Josue was impeded by Carrick, United froze, half-expecting a free-kick against them.

The whistle from the Hungarian referee never came, Kassai allowing Makoto Hasebe to lift in a cross as United struggled to re-form their defence. Dzeko had made his move, peeling away to the far-post, where he towered over Evra in directing a powerful header past Tomasz Kuszczak.

As the Germans celebrated wildly, their fans leaning over the hoardings and hammering the boards, United plotted their response! . With the Stretford End baying "attack, attack, attack'', the English champions equalised within three minutes.

As so often over the past 17 years, United looked to Giggs for succour. When it counted, the Welshman delivered for them again, although his 150th career goal for United had a deflected touch of fortune about it. When Josue fouled Anderson 25 yards out, the Germans built a wall but left a weakness. As Giggs curled the free-kick towards the wall, Gentner turned his back, the ball hitting the full-back and wrongfooting Benaglio.

United are so experienced in these situations, staying calm whatever the pressure, and they moved ahead with 13 minutes remaining from a move that contained all their strengths of passing, persistence and a glorious finish. Evra began this delicious odyssey, directing a throw-in to Rooney on the left.

The England attacker whipped in a cross which Berbatov controlled expertly, ! despite the speed it came at him, despite the attentions of W! olfsburg defenders. The Bulgarian rolled the ball back to Giggs, who failed to collect it at the first attempt, but soon touched it to Carrick 20 yards out.

What a finish. Meeting the ball first time, Carrick sent it curling past Benaglio, sparking great celebrations on the Stretford End and a wry response from the noisy German fans of "You only sing when you're winning'' in excellent English.

Hamburg 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen held on to top spot in the Bundesliga with a goalless draw at second-placed Hamburg.

The final undefeated teams in the league played out a largely cagey match, with Leverkusen waiting for Hamburg to make a mistake and strike on the counter-attack.

Hamburg played a strong match but just could not find the final touch in front of goal as both sides remain locked on 21 points.

Schalke meanwhile moved to within two points in third place with Wer! der Bremen fourth with 18 points and Bayern Munich six points back.

Hamburg dominated the game early on though they did not have a lot of chances against the stingy Leverkusen defence.

Hamburg's 19-year-old Bundesliga debutant Tolgay Arslan had the first opening but fired wide from 18 yards after 11 minutes.

Leverkusen waited for counter-attack opportunities and nearly used one to take the lead after 32 minutes. Tranquillo Barnetta played the ball to Gonzalo Castro down the left side and his shot beat the onrushing Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost but was wide of the right-hand post.

Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia, who was already without his two first-choice strikers Paolo Guerrero and Mladen Petric, saw another forward go down injured six minutes from the break as Tolgay was substituted for 19-year-old Tunay Torun.

Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler got a minor wake-up call seven minutes after the break as Eljero Elia unleashed a blast from 23 ! yards on the left side that went wide right.

Little hap! pened un til perhaps the best chance of the game with 11 minutes left. Ze Roberto played a superb pass to Elia, who fed Torun in the box but his shot from eight yards was blocked by Castro.

Simon Rolfes' header in the 82nd minute went into the upper netting of Hamburg's goal in a rare Leverkusen venture forward.

Rost made an outstanding save five minutes from time to keep out Sami Hyypia's header following a corner and it was Rost again who was the saviour two minutes from time, denying Stefan Kiessling from 10 yards.

Mainz 3-0 Freiburg

Mainz easily beat Freiburg in a battle of the Bundesliga's promoted sides with captain Tim Hoogland scoring a brace.

Andreas Ivanschitz opened the scoring in the 24th minute, and captain Tim Hoogland struck twice in the 50th and 85th minutes to give Mainz the points.

Mainz have not lost at home this season but came into the game losers of three of their last four matches on the road. Thomas Tuchel's team are up to seventh, with Freiburg now 12th.

The opening! goal came from the first chance of the match.

Chadli Amri fended off two defenders before looping the ball into the area, where Ivanschitz volleyed over goalkeeper Simon Pouplin.

Freiburg striker Mohamadou Idrissou saw Mainz goalkeeper Heinz Muller bat his shot over the bar nine minutes before the break.

The visitors almost equalised just seconds after the restart when Tommy Bechmann's looping ball over Muller rolled just wide.

Two minutes later, Ivanschitz cleared a corner off the line from Ivica Banovic.

At the other end, Ivanschitz then set up the second goal - sending a ball down the left side where Freiburg defender Du-Ri Cha challenged too early. Hoogland raced around the South Korean and beat Pouplin in the bottom corner.

Banovic's free-kick shot from the edge of the area went just inches wide right three minutes later, and Banovic missed another chance in the 66th as Muller saved a blast from nine yards.

The hosts ma! de sure of the points when Florian Heller found Hoogland in th! e area, where he had plenty of space and time to score at the near post.

Track Cycling World Cup: Geraint Thomas breaks 4km pursuit world record

Welshman Geraint Thomas lit up the Track Cycling World Cup event in Manchester by breaking the world record for the 4km individual pursuit, an event which if the UCI have their way will be thrown out of the London 2012.

Thomas, in commanding late-season form on the track after missing large chunks of the road season following a nasty crash, tore around the Manchester Velodrome in the qualifying rounds of the World Cup meeting to record 4 mins 15.015 secs – beating Bradley Wiggins' previous best time from the qualifying round of the Athens Oly! mpics.

Wiggins' time was universally accepted as the world record after Chris Boardman's 4 min 11.114 secs from 1996 was expunged because his 'superman' riding position – with straight arms and body stretched – along the length of the bike has subsequently been banned.

Today's ride from Thomas, 23, represents a huge breakthrough but such is his form at present that it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Before the Beijing Olympics last year he produced a 4.17 in training, without his race skins, and last week at Manchester knocked off back-to-back 4.18s to win the British Nationals with some ease.

It will be a bitter sweet moment though with every indication that the UCI are intending to drop both the Men and Women's Individual Pursuit from the Olympics in a radical shake-up of the programme to ensure gender equality.

On this form Thomas would clearly give Wiggins a run for his money and! the reigning world champion Taylor Phinney from the USA wh! o has al so emerged since Beijing.

Indeed the potential for taking the event forward and bringing the times down has never been greater.

Although everybody is agreed that gender equality must happen nobody in the sport can understand why the individual pursuits are being dropped at a time when the team pursuits are taking centre stage at all major championships.

If the athletes involved are present for the team pursuits, the individual events could be held at the same meetings with no extra cost to the Olympics.

Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Score Prediction Method

by Malcolm Nossiter

Improve Your Soccer Betting is a series of articles that describe some well known and well used statistical techniques that will help the soccer punter make more informed bets. Each of the techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages and using them in isolation will improve your chances of winning. However, together they will prove invaluable in your battle with the bookies. In each article we will describe in detail how a particular method works giving you enough information for you to go ahead and create your own forecasts. We will also give you information as to where you can already find websites that use this technique in comprising their weekly soccer betting forecasts.

The statistical methods described in this set of articles will help you to arrive at a better decision about the match, or matches, that you are betting on.

In this article we will be describing the well known Score Prediction method. The Score! Prediction method uses a teams goal performances over a specified period of time in order to predict the score of the game concerned.

Here are the basic rules...

As an example of the Score Prediction method this is how Footyforecast and 1X2Monster handle this method. This is an example of a match and each teams respective goal count for the last five games:

home team 3-3 1-0 4-1 0-2 2-1 away team 0-1 2-2 0-3 6-0 1-3

We can work out some figures from this as follows:

home teams goals scored for = HGF = 3 + 1 + 4 + 0 + 2 = 10

away teams goals scored for = AGF = 1 + 2 + 3 + 0 + 3 = 9

home teams goals against = HGA = 3 + 0 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 7

away teams goals against = AGA = 0 + 2 + 0 + 6 + 1 = 9

Now we can work out points for each team based on the goals they have scored and the goals they have had scored against them as follows:

home goal points = HGP = HGF + AGA = 10 + ! 9 = 19

away goals points = AGP = HGA + AGF = 7 + 9 ! = 16

And now we can get a difference:

goal points difference = GPD = HGP - AGP = 19 - 16 = 3

Now we could classify this as follows:

GPD => +2 then home win, GPD =< -2 then away win GPD -2 then draw.

These parameters are obviously fairly arbitrary but experience should allow you to tune them more carefully. Now we must use the GPD and one of three tables. Here are the tables...

Home WIn Score Prediction HOME AWAY HGSP GOALS AGSP >0 >11 >17 >26
>49 6 0 1 2 3 >43 5 0 1 2 3 >37 4 0 1 2 3 >30 3 0 1 2 >23 2 0 1 >0 1 0

Away WIn Score Prediction AWAY HOME AGSP GOALS HGSP >23 >18 >13 >0
>34 5 3 2 1 0 >29 4 3 2 1 0 >24 3 2 1 0 >18 2 2 1 0 >0 1 2 1 0

Draw Score Prediction HOME + AWAY SCORE
>44 3-3 >34 2-2 >24 1-1 >0 0-0

Since our match has generated a home win prediction then we must use the HOME WIN SCORE PREDICTION table to obtain our score prediction. To do thi! s we need to calculate another parameter, that of home goal score points as follows:

HGSP = HGP + all goals scored by home team of 3 or more in a match + all goals against the away side of 3 or more.

therefore HGSP = 19 + 7 + 6 = 32

Now do the same for the away team:

AGSP = AGP + all goals scored by away team of 3 or more in a match + all goals against the home side of 3 or more.

therefore AGSP = 16 + 6 + 3 = 25

So, in the home win score prediction table we go to HOME > 30 which gives us 3 goals for the home team and go to AWAY > 17 giving us two goals for the away team therefore the result is predicted as a 3-2 home win.

Now it's your turn...

Of course you may choose to use different values to those shown above and by experimenting you may come up with better values to use.

If you have the necessary skills you could go away and build your own spreadsheet of data or even write! a piece of software to take in results and fixtures and apply! the Sco re Prediction method to your data. Or, if you're lazy like me, you could grab some free software that already does this for you. 1X2Monster and Footyforecast have been providing this kind of facility since 1999. A total of seven different statistical methods are used to determine the outcome of each game played in each league, and a comprehensive record of how each method in each game performed is kept. Apart from how each tip performed within its respective league 1X2Monster also provides the league tables of how each league has performed in successfully predicting outcomes of games. The league tables of prediction performance are produced for home win predictions, draw predictions, away win predictions, and for overall predictions and are invaluable tools to the soccer punter when deciding where to target their European soccer betting predictions.

Here is a list of all the articles in this series...

How To Make A Profit From FREE 1X2 Soccer Picks Impr! ove Your Soccer Betting Using The Rateform Method Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Footyforecast Method Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Win Draw Loss Method Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Simple Sequence Method Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Score Prediction Method Improve Your Soccer Betting Using The Superiority Method

About the Author

Malcolm Nossiter is the owner of 1x2monster.com and footyforecast.com. He has been providing hundreds of 1X2 tips every week since 1999. Please visit 1x2monster.com for a fountain of information on soccer betting.

Dichiarazioni Bergamo: la posizione dell'Inter

di Marco Spinelli
Fonte: Inter.it

In merito alle dichiarazioni del signor Paolo Bergamo, riportate da alcuni quotidiani riprendendo le frasi pronunciate dall'ex designatore arbitrale durante una trasmissione televisiva, F.C. Internazionale, ove le stesse dichiarazioni fossero confermate, si riserva ogni iniziativa legale per la tutela della propria immagine, in quanto:
il club nerazzurro, non solo è completamente estraneo ai fatti evocati dal signor Bergamo, ma altresì non è in alc! un modo coinvolto nel procedimento al quale egli fa riferimento.

Arturo Lupoli "l'oggetto" misterioso

di Marco Fundoni

L'oggetto misterioso ascolano, Arturo Lupoli, a Londra veniva chiamato Paolo Rossi da Henry, ma in Italia non ha ancora convinto e intanto lui spera di rilanciarsi con la maglia bianconera. Dopo essersi sbloccato nella sfida contro il Mantova vuole dimostrare che quel goal non era un caso, ma che era l'inizio di qualcosa di importante. In Italia per ! lui è cambiato molto e per la sua strada ha incontrato non poche difficoltà "Qui in Italia è diverso, c'è più tensione di non dovere sbagliare e c'è pure la pressione dei media".

Non vanno dimenticate tutte le sue imprese inglesi: giocare contro il Manchester United a fianco di due campioni come Adebayor ed Henry un'emozione che lui descrive "da brividi", ma anche un prestito ricco di goal al Derby Country. Molti tifosi hanno paura che una realtà come quella ascolana non possa fornire, ad un giocatore abituato a stadi come quello di Highbury, gli stimoli giusti, ma lui è sicuro che anche ad Ascoli le emozioni non mancano «Sicuramente due mondi diversi, ma basta non essere mai snob dove si lavora e dare tutto. Ad Ascoli si può fare buon calcio, la A qui è di casa». La sua vita è qui ad Ascoli, al De Luca, le qualità restano e siamo tutti in attesa di vedere di cosa sia capace questo talento "MADE IN ITALY"

A. Lucarelli: "Il Palermo può arrivare 4° se..."

Alessandro Lucarelli, ex difensore di Livorno e Palermo, ha espresso il suo giudizio sulla gara tra i labronici e i rosanero in programma domenica allo stadio "Armando Picchi"."Sarà una partita dove da una parte il Livorno deve cercare la vittoria per sganciarsi dall'ultima posizione e, dall'altra il Palermo deve confermare quanto di buono ha fatto con la Juventus - ha dichiarato il centrale in forza al Parma in un´intervista pubblicata dal portale "Mediterraneonline.it" - I rosa, se confermano in trasferta quanto di buono fanno in casa, possono ambire all'Europa o addirittura al quarto posto".
(Mediagol.it 15/10/09)

Frosinone, i convocati per Modena

di Andrea Ranaldo
Fonte: Frosinonecalcio.com

Allenamento mattutino per i ragazzi di Moriero che a partire dalle 10:30 hanno sostenuto un'ultima seduta di lavoro allo stadio Matusa prima della partenza per Modena. Sono 21 i convocati. Moriero ritrova Gucher che domani si aggregherà in gruppo direttamente nella sede di ritiro emiliana. Spazio anche per il giovane attaccante primavera La Mantia alla sua prima convocazione in pr! ima squadra. Intanto Davide Caremi è tornato ad allenarsi svolgendo diversi giri di campo ed esercizi con il pallone coadiuvato dallo staff sanitario.

Elenco convocati:

Portieri: Frattali e Sicignano.
Difensori: Ascoli, Bocchetti, Del Prete, Guidi, Scarlato, Maietta e Semenzato.
Centrocampisti: Basha, Bolzoni, Cariello e Gucher.
Attaccanti: Aurelio, Basso, Calil, La Mantia, Mazzeo, Santoruvo, Tavares e Troianiello.

Al termine il gruppo si è ritrovato presso l'Hotel Bassetto. Nel primo pomeriggio c'è stata la partenza in direzione Modena dove domani pomeriggio sosterrà la seduta di rifinitura.

Juventus-Fiorentina: la partita

di Dario Rosella

Fonte: sportmediaset.it

Le due settimane di sosta non sono bastate alla Juventus per ritrovare la vittoria. A Torino, nel primo anticipo dell'ottava giornata di Serie A, i bianconeri vengono bloccati sull'1-1 dalla Fiorentina. Sono proprio i viola a passare in vantaggio al 5' grazie a Vargas. Il pareggio bianconero arriva al 19' con Amauri, tornato al gol dopo sette mesi d! i astinenza. Nella ripresa la squadra di Prandelli gioca meglio, ma il risultato non cambia.

La sfida più sentita dalle due tifoserie inizia con una doccia fredda per gli juventini. Tempo cinque minuti e la Fiorentina passa in vantaggio con una bella combinazione Jovetic-Vargas, finalizzata da quest'ultimo. Un gol forse troppo a freddo perché la squadra di Prandelli si ferma qui e lascia il pallino del gioco ai bianconeri. Che dopo due grosse occasioni con Iaquinta e Amauri trovano il pareggio: apertura di Poulsen (proprio lui) per Iaquinta, che calcia male, ma serve ad Amauri un pallone solo da spingere in rete.

Nel finale di tempo i viola, subito privati di Marchionni da un problema muscolare, tirano fuori la testa dalla loro metà campo e recriminano per un fallo di Dainelli su Chiellini, che vanifica una pericolosa punizione di Vargas. Rizzoli, però, aveva già fischiato prima che il pallone fosse entrato. P! oi c'è giusto il tempo per una difficile deviazione in corner ! di Buffo n su tiro di Vargas. Insomma, la Fiorentina c'è ancora.

La pioggia, aumentata nell'intervallo, non spegne gli ardori dei ventidue in campo. I torinesi ci provano due volte con Sissoko (di piede e di testa), la Fiorentina risponde con altrettanti contropiedi, pericolosi ma non sfruttati bene. Jovetic e compagni sono più brillanti, mentre Ferrara storce il naso davanti a un gioco monocorde, senza una precisa identità, che costringe Diego troppo lontano dalle punte. L'undici di casa, per la verità, va vicino al raddoppio con Amauri e Melo, che sprecano malamente.

Alla fine, però, è Gilardino ad avere l'occasione più ghiotta quasi allo scadere, quando strozza una palla gol davanti a Buffon. Che esce scuotendo la testa. Perché la Juve, uscita tra i fischi, ha smarrito da un mese la strada della vittoria e il rischio è che davanti non si fermino ad aspettarla.

IL TABELLINO
Juventus-Fior! entina 1-1
Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon 6,5; Grygera 5, Cannavaro 6, Chiellini 6,5, Grosso 5; Sissoko 6 (24' st Camoranesi 6), Felipe Melo 5, Poulsen 6,5; Diego 6 (39' st Trezeguet sv); Iaquinta 5 (35' st De Ceglie 6), Amauri 5,5. A disposizione: Manninger, Legrottaglie, Zebina, Giovinco. All. Ferrara
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Frey 6,5; Comotto 6, Gamberini 6,5, Dainelli 5,5, Gobbi 6; Montolivo 6, Zanetti 6,5; Marchionni sv (24' Santana 6), Jovetic 6,5 (24' st Mutu 6), Vargas 6,5 (27' st Pasqual 6); Gilardino 5. A disposizione: Avramov, De Silvestri, Natali, Donadel. All. Prandelli
Arbitro: Rizzoli
Marcatori: 5' Vargas (F), 19' Amauri (J)
Ammoniti: 1' Sissoko (J), 33' Montolivo (F), 38' Grygera (J), 13' st Gobbi (J)

Oggi ripresa degli allenamenti dopo la vittoria di Reggio

di Massimo Scavello
fonte: anconacalcio.it

Dopo il meritato riposo di ieri dopo il successo di Reggio Calabria i ragazzi di Salvioni, si sono ritrovati oggi a Camerata Picena in attesa della gara contro il FROSINONE, in programma Sabato 23 Ottobre alle ore 15:30 allo Stadio "Del Conero " di Ancona.
Assenti alla seduta di oggi dedicata in prevalenza al lavoro atletico erano tutti presenti.
Domattina ancora seduta su questo impianto.
Per mercoledì è in fase di allestimento una sgambatura contro la formazione del Sirolo che milita nel campion! ato di Promozione.

#036 Toto-cronista Evento 1

Si è disputato con il primo turno del girone di ritorno la prima giornata del Fanta-Cronista, il gioco a pronostici di Tutto il calcio Blog che vede i concorrenti impegnati nell' indovinare i radiocronisti del week-end calcistico.

Ecco la prima graduatoria che vale per le tre classifiche (media, totale e relativa*)

1- Emanuele Borsatto 35pt.
2- Stefano 33
3- Davide Ambu 31
3- Raibobo(tuttoilcalcioblog.blogspot.com) 31
4- Francesco Del Giudice 23
5- Andrea 14
6- Lele Pinto 11

Complimenti a Stefano che ha fatto l' en-plein indovinando i 10 radiocronisti della A e toppando solo i due bordocampisti degli anticipi.
Applausi.

Il significato delle tre classifiche lo comprendete leggendo il regolamento sul dorso sinistro di questo blog.
Se volete scoprire tutto sul gioco e giocare,o solo per ricevere informazioni basta una mail a tuttoilcalcio@raibobo.it

Prossimo evento domani per il turno infrasettimanale.

#130 MinutoxMinuto 15

Questa settimana TiCB ha scelto il match dell' Olimpico di Torino tra Juventus e Chievo Verona come suo campo principale.
Quindi microfono e voce alla voce principale del Gr Sport, ovvero il caporedattore Riccardo Cucchi.
Ricordiamo il risultato finale di pareggio per 3-3.

TotoCronista n°20

A una giornata dalla fine Eva Lenti vince e allunga nella generale.
A meno di tracolli è sua la vittoria finale del Toto-Cronista prima edizione.

Ma rivediamo i risultati di giornata
1 Eva Lenti 24
2 RaiBobo 20
3 Lele Pinto 19
4 Minuto x Minuto 14
5 Emanuele Borsatto 12
6 Andrea P. 10
7 Francesco Del Giudice 9
8 Stefano Stradotto 9

Ed ecco la generale
1 Eva Lenti 28,42
2 RaiBobo 28,20
3 Emanuele Borsatto 24,00
4 Stefano Stradotto 23,35
5 Francesco Del Giudice 22,30
6 Minuto x Minuto 20,61
7 Lele Pinto 18,00
8 Andrea P. 16,90

Nelle altre classifiche comanda RaiBobo.
Noi torniamo fra una settimana per i risultati finali

Genoa torna in Europa: vai, Dotto!

En-plein delle squadre italiane anche per la qualificazione in Europa League. Il risultato che il calcio nostrano attendeva di più era la qualificazione ed il ritorno del Genoa in quella che era chiamata Coppa Uefa, allorchè nell'ultima apparizione di 17 anni fa, la squadra che fu allenata da Osvaldo Bagnoli arrivò fino alla semifinale dopo aver sbancato Anfield Road. Ora tocca ai ragazzi di Gasperini, che ha portato questa squadra dalla B alla Champions sfiorata. Accogliamo questo grande traguardo della società di calcio più antica d'Italia con la chicca del gol liberatorio di Domenico Criscito nel ritorno giocato in terra danese, rete che scaccia ogni pensiero e rompe ogni timore. Un gol raccontato in maniera molto particolare dal grande Emanuele Dotto (bentornato!), che ci emoziona mollando un pò i freni inibitori. Ascoltatelo..