September
2
2010
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has revealed that the Red Devils have sold fewer season tickets than expected so far this summer.
The club have also taken the surprising step of placing 4,000 season tickets on general sale, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph, as they look to reach last sumer’s figure of 54,000 sales.
United fans had been urged to boycott season tickets by the ‘Green and Gold’ protest campaign that was highly visible around Old Trafford last season. Although the campaign has enjoyed little obvious success in shifting owners the Glazer family from Old Trafford, Gill admits that season ticket sales are not what they could be.
“I’ll be clear on that. Last year our target was 54,000 season tickets, we’ve sold 51,800, which is pretty good in the current climate,” Gill told reporters.
“We’ve sold more season tickets than the capacity of most Premier League grounds. Our executive seat sales are on track as compared with last year in a different market.”
The figures for executive seat sales are unknown, but the Telegraph reports that sales hit 7,500 last season.
Gill insists that the slight decline in season ticket sales is nothing to be concerned about, although he admits that complacency must be avoided.
“I think the bare facts are that the club is in good financial shape. The ticket sales have held up,” he stated.
“We sold out for Newcastle United and West Ham United but we are not complacent and we’ve got to keep working to make sure that we fill the ground for every game and we’ll do that by playing great football, attractive football, exciting football that brings fans in.”
August
26
2010
Team USA’s roster is now finalized as the world championships in Turkey approach.
Rajon Rondo withdrew from consideration on Tuesday after he did not play in Sunday’s exhibition against Spain.
The Rondo news leads off our daily links this morning.
Let’s get down to business:
1. Rajon Rondo withdraws from Team USA, ESPN.com, Chris Sheridan
The Buzz: Rondo did not play in Sunday’s exhibition against Spain. “It’s what’s best for the country,” Rondo said. “It’s part of it. We knew coming in it was still tryouts until we make the team that goes to Turkey.”
2. Rondo leaves Team USA camp, The Boston Globe, Julian Benbow
The Buzz: Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Rondo benefited from the experience with Team USA. “In a lot of ways, he gets the best of all of it,’’ Rivers said. “He got to compete against the other guards. He knows shooting was a premium on this team, so he clearly knows that’s an area he has to keep working on to improve, and he gets to come home and spend some time with the family.”
3. Nuggets’ Anthony, Magic’s Howard to star in movie by NBA and Shanghai Film Group, The Associated Press
The Buzz: Dwight Howard makes no secret of his interest in acting, and he recently visited Shanghai to film his part in a movie entitled “Amazing.”
4. Yao back on the court, Houston Chronicle, Jason Witmer
The Buzz: In this video, Yao Ming discusses the challenges of returning from a delicate, yet critical, foot surgery.
5. Big man’s star power will emerge, Houston Chronicle, Jerome Solomon
The Buzz: Solomon is optimistic that Yao will be an elite NBA player once again.
6. Could the Heat have one more big move left?, Sun Sentinel, Ira Winderman
The Buzz: Winderman suggests that the Heat would be well-served to sign Erick Dampier once the Charlotte Bobcats waive the veteran center.
7. State tax may cost Knicks shot at Carmelo, New York Post, Marc Berman
The Buzz: The lack of a state income tax in Texas could explain Anthony’s apparent interest in the Rockets.
8. Hibbert lands Hall of Fame tutor, The Indianapolis Star, Mike Wells
The Buzz: Larry Bird has brought in former teammate Bill Walton to work with young Pacers center Roy Hibbert.
9. Search for Nuggets GM continues, ESPN.com, Ric Bucher
The Buzz: Bucher reports that David Griffin, a former assistant general manager for the Phoenix Suns, turned down an offer to become the Nuggets’ next general manager.
10. Former head men slide down bench to be ready for next gig, NBA.com, Steve Aschburner
The Buzz: Aschburner writes about former NBA head coaches who are now assistant coaches.
August
17
2010
There are many times that the World Cup 2010 view is seen only as a game that attracts a lot of people, but then there are some social importance of such events to a person, a child as well as to the whole family. This effect can do well for them and would help them develop either as a person or grow as a family. This would actually bring up a great world cup 2010 view.
world cup 2010 view An individual, man or woman, needs some time alone. This is a great way to celebrate being alone. You can treat yourself to some time out alone by watching the games with some of you favorite foods. This would actually fill you up with new ideas, a clear mind as well as a relaxed body. You can also spice up your alone time with some of the activities that you can now seldom do, you can do a little exercise while your eyes are glued on the game.
Children, on the other hand, can also benefit much from all this World Cup 2010 view fame. Most of them would be inspired to become athletes, they would be able to set apart some time away from their handheld games and see that there are more activities that they can try out. Eventually, this can even set out a good example on how to stay fit at an early age.
As a family, world cup 2010 viewshould be an opportunity to bond as one. You can schedule a barbecue one weekend when your favorite team would be playing. You should be able to share the cheer and the day with them while still watching. This way, your family knows some of your likes and dislikes.
So basically, the world cup would be able to transform everyone to another person, just make sure that you would all be transformed to the best.
July
28
2010
Sports Minister makes 2012 pledge
Robertson (right) joined fellow politicians and volunteers at the Olympic Park
Hugh Robertson, the Sport and Olympics Minister, has pledged to ensure British athletes have funding to be competitive at the London Games in two years’ time.
The coalition government is looking at ways to cut departmental spending in an attempt to reduce the budget deficit.
But Robertson told BBC Radio 5 live: “I am determined to make sure we give our athletes the best possible chance.
“If one thing is left standing in the comprehensive spending review it will be elite athlete funding for 2012.”
As Olympic bosses celebrated two years to go until the Games begin, British sport’s funding body warned that cuts in its budget could have an impact on performances.
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When we know what the final settlement figure is, I will make calculations … and ensure our athletes have the very best possible chance of competing at London 2012
Hugh Robertson
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UK Sport performance director Peter Keen told Radio 5 live: “We know there is not much scope for changing anything without impacting on performance.
“We still don’t know exactly what the current round of spending cuts to that exchequer part of our budget will be.”
Reports on Tuesday suggested that the figure of around £80m per year that UK Sport receives from the government to pass on to Olympic sports may be cut by half.
Robertson added: “When we know what the final settlement figure is, I will make calculations over how much lottery funding we add to that, how much private funding, and ensure our athletes have the very best possible chance of competing at London 2012.”
Keen said exchequer funding was “50% of the total budget that we now pass on to sports” – worth around £320m over the course of the four-year Olympic cycle.
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He insisted that if there were budget cuts, UK Sport would have to cut their cloth accordingly.
“We are pretty confident that the bulk of investment already in place will be there up to London and beyond,” he added.
“We will know in the autumn, what, if any is the change in the current programme. There’s bound to be an impact if there’s a significant reduction in investment.
“We know what it costs to do this properly and we will do everything we can to make certain that where we think we are closest to achieving medals and success in London, we will invest selectively.
“If we don’t have all the budget we currently have we will have to make those tough calls and I think that’s something we are quite comfortable doing.
“We know that is how elite sport has to work. It doesn’t necessarily please everybody but we will always target our investments to get the greatest result with the most number of athletes.
Hoy does first lap of 2012 velodrome
“We will only be able to support the athletes we have the resources for. If it’s less than we currently have we will have to look at the sports that are furthest from the podium and have the least chance of success. That’s only reasonable and only rational. One hopes it doesn’t come to that.”
Hopes that Team GB would field a team in every sport in London were hit at the start of last year when eight Olympic sports had funding slashed because of a £50m budget shortfall.
And Sir Chris Hoy, who won three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, has also called on Olympic sports to be spared savage cuts this time around.
“It’s important to invest in sport. It’s important for the success of the nation to be doing well in home Games and for future generations,” said Hoy, who played a key role in the two-year countdown celebrations for the 2012 Games at the Olympic Park on Tuesday.
“For many reasons it’s important to invest in sport. Lottery funding came on board in 1998 just when I was finishing university and it could not have come at a better time for me.
“I personally benefited massively from that and the public can stake a claim to being part of all the success we have had because they have essentially funded Olympic sport in this country.”
July
19
2010
Matt Bettencourt chipped in for an eagle then scrambled home down the stretch to shoot a 4-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over Bob Heintz in the Reno-Tahoe Open, his first win on the PGA Tour.
Bettencourt hit only two greens on the back nine Sunday. The Alameda native went from a fairway bunker to a greenside bunker on the par-4 18th but managed to bogey to finish at 11-under 277 and claim the $540,000 winner’s check.
Heintz could have forced a playoff but missed a three-footer on the final hole to shoot a 72 and finish at 10 under.
Landon Donovan’s penalty shot in the second half gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 2-1 win over D.C. United in Washington.
It was Donovan’s first goal since the World Cup, where he led the United States with three, including a penalty in the knockout-stage match against Ghana.
He was cheered before the game but was booed as he lined up to take the penalty assessed for Julius James’ hand ball in the
Pro basketball
Asked for his thoughts on LeBron James joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, Michael Jordan told ESPN.com: “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry (Bird), called up Magic (Johnson) and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team. But that’s … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”
Motor sports
After patiently avoiding early trouble, Will Power passed Justin Wilson on the outside off a restart with 14 laps left, then held off Dario Franchitti to win the Hondy Indy Toronto for his second straight victory and fourth of the season.
All four of Power’s victories have come on street or road courses.
Tennis
Albert Montanes was leading 6-1, 1-2 when opponent Gael Monfils retired from the Mercedes Cup final with an ankle injury.
July
9
2010
Robin van Persie knows his Holland team-mates have the chance to become immortal on Sunday.
Victory over favourites Spain in the World Cup Final at Soccer City would finally erase the bitter taste of finals defeat from 1974 and 1978.
Yet the Total Football created by coach Rinus Michels and put into practice by Johan Cruyff has become a millstone round Dutch necks.
Even now, as they approach their date with destiny, there are some who argue this is not a true Holland team because Bert van Marwijk’s well-drilled outfit lack the same stardust.
But Van Persie knows all that will be forgotten on the streets of Amsterdam and Rotterdam on Sunday night if Holland can win.
“It is a bit difficult because you have to fight against the generation of 1974 and 1978,” said the Arsenal forward.
“They were unbelievable. They are legends, Cruyff, Johan Neeskens and so on. You grew up with their names in your face. When those people say anything in the press or on a TV programme, everybody listens because of what they have achieved.”
July
1
2010
Always attacking, always looking to penetrate down the flanks, to torture the opposition defence with his pace and trickery, young Eljero Elia is a throwback to the good old days of Dutch football. In a side built around patience, team defending and counter-attacks, Elia stands alone as the free-thinking maverick out left. “What I want is to get myself into good positions and make danger for the team,” the Hamburg winger, 23, told FIFA.com. “I feel like I have been doing a pretty good job when I get on the pitch and I want to stay hungry and keep going.”
Born in 1987 in the small Dutch village of Voorburg, Elia’s first name is an homage to his sister’s love of American singer Al Jarreau. She suggested her little brother should be named after the jazz crooner, and ‘Eljero’ was her way of saying his name. He is one of a small handful of players in the Oranje side with roots in Suriname, the tropical former Dutch holding in South America which produced such greats as Clarence Seedorf, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. He played with a succession of amateur sides before making a professional debut at just 17 with Ado den Haag in 2004. Three seasons later he was on the move again, to FC Twente, where he began to raise eyebrows, and in 2009, he picked up the Johan Cruyff Award for the best young player in the Lowlands.
“In Germany you don’t see many tricky wingers,” said Elia, who moved to Hamburg in the Bundesliga and picked up man of the match honours in his first two games for the club. “When they do, the fans go wild.” His first cap came in September 2009, and Elia – a favourite of current boss Bert Van Marvijk – has become an explosive and improvisational element in a Dutch team built around the sturdy play of Dirk Kuyt and Marc van Bommel and hit hard by injury to Arjen Robben. He set up the second goal in the 2-0 win over Denmark in the group stage and has been a stinging presence up the flank, used primarily as a late-game injection of pace in place of workhorse Kuyt. Three of the Netherland’s eight goals have come when the young man has been out on the pitch.
We’ve been getting the results, but we’ve not yet shown the kind of team we are and the kind of football we can play.
Dutch winger Eljero Elia
“Bah, we can play a lot better than we have,” the open and cheerful Elia told FIFA.com. It may sound like a strange assertion considering the Dutch have won their first four games, conceding only two goals in the bargain, but it is clear that the player is lamenting what some see as an absence of style in the Oranje, so often associated with panache and technical brilliance in the past. “We’ve been getting the results, but we’ve not yet shown the kind of team we are and the kind of football we can play,” he added. “We’ve been controlling all the matches, but I think we can still get a lot better and I am sure we will.”
Elia, who team-mate Wesley Sniejder describes as “a true danger-man,” is hoping the side can turn on the style in their next game – against Brazil, winner of five FIFA World Cups™ and as feared an opponent as any at these finals. Also a team associated historically with style and joyful football, Dunga’s A Seleção is a sturdier prospect entirely. “When we came here to South Africa we only had one thing in our minds: to reach the Final,” Elia said, clearly unimpressed with Brazil’s reputation or current status. “We’re not worried about Brazil or any other opponent because we just need to play our game.”
But the clash with South American royalty will be a meaningful one for young Elia, as the first time he ever saw the Oranje play was against Brazil. “At the World Cup in 1994,” he enthused, “I was six and watching the game with my family on holidays in Suriname, and they were all supporting Brazil!” With the dismissive bluster of a young man, Elia’s dreams are bigger than the next match, and how refreshing it is. “We came to South Africa to become world champions,” he concluded. “And we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen.”
June
25
2010
Italy joined France on the sidelines of the World Cup, the first time both previous finalists have been eliminated in the opening round when they qualified for the succeeding tournament.
The four-time champion Italians lost to Slovakia 3-2 at Ellis Park, allowing the Slovaks to advance to the round of 16 from Group F along with Paraguay, which drew 0-0 with New Zealand and won the group.
“I take full responsibility,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. “If the squad went out with fear in their legs and hearts it means the coach didn’t prepare the match well tactically or psychologically.”
Italy came into the World Cup with most of the same players who won the title four years ago in Germany under Lippi. But this year, defender Fabio Cannavaro was far from his best and the attack failed to produce goals until the team was facing elimination.
Too late.
“Tonight,” midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said, “we touched rock bottom.”
That’s a place the French reached earlier this week. Like Italy, they finished last in their group and went home in disarray.
Meanwhile, the celebrations for the Slovakian nation had just begun.
“We’ve shown that we’re not here for a holiday,” Slovakia forward Erik Jendrisek said.
Robert Vittek scored goals in the 25th and 73rd minutes. The second goal seemed to finally wake Italy’s struggling front line and Antonio Di Natale pulled one back for the Italians in the 81st.
Substitute Kamil Kopunek restored the two-goal lead for Slovakia with a smart lob in the 89th, and Fabio Quagliarella added the final goal for Italy in injury time.
“That’s my message to all fans at home: enjoy football,” said coach Vladimir Weiss: “Let’s celebrate … a present to all our fans at home.”
Paraguay won Group F despite a 0-0 draw with New Zealand at Polokwane, which went home with three ties. In its only other World Cup, in 1982, New Zealand lost all three matches.
In Group E, Japan advanced to the next round along with the Netherlands. The Japanese beat Denmark 3-1 in Rustenburg, while the Dutch defeated Cameroon 2-1 in Cape Town as Arjen Robben made his World Cup debut at this year’s tournament.
The Netherlands will next face Slovakia on Monday in Durban, while Paraguay takes on Japan on Tuesday in Pretoria.
Paraguay moved into the round of 16 for the fourth time in its history. The Paraguayans also reached the second round at the World Cup in 1986, 1998 and 2002.
“Obviously, the first goal was to advance,” Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz said. “We had some good moments in the first three games and obviously there are some things that we need to improve.”
Paraguay emphasized the strength of South American teams so far. They have won 10 times, drawn three and not lost a game.
For the Kiwis, the departure was much sweeter than for Italy or France.
“We are proud and disappointed at the same time now,” New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said. “We remained unbeaten but are still eliminated. I am proud, and no one takes away from me what we have done here.”
Keisuke Honda and Yusuhito Endo scored from free kicks in the first half, and Shinji Okazaki added a late goal for Japan, which advanced to the round of 16 for the second time in history.
Jon Dahl Tomasson scored the lone goal for Denmark, tapping in a rebound after Eiji Kawashima saved his penalty kick.
“I’m glad we won but I am not satisfied,” Honda said. “The next game is more important. I want to show the Japanese that nothing is impossible.”
The Netherlands finally produced some flair at the tournament in South Africa, and Robben was one of the main contributors after coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute.
After misplaying a long pass, Robben took control of the ball and sent a bending shot off the post. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was there to tap it in and give the Dutch a 2-1 lead in the 83rd.
“Our play was good,” Netherlands winger Robin van Persie said. “We can be really pleased with this.”
Van Persie scored the first goal in the 36th, while Samuel Eto’o briefly equalized in the 65th by scoring from the penalty spot.
May
31
2010
BOSTON (AP) — Rajon Rondo hit the deck hard, grimacing after being fouled. Glen Davis played through dizziness from a concussion. Rasheed Wallace put up with a painful back.
The Boston Celtics sure could use some time off.
Now they’re getting it with a five-day break between games before starting the final drive toward their goal — a second NBA championship in three years and an 18th in club history, more than any other team.
Coach Doc Rivers gave his players two days off after their dominating performance Friday night with the wounded and woozy Rondo, Davis and Wallace helping in a 96-84 win over the Orlando Magic.
Boston led by at least 12 points throughout the second half and clinched the Eastern Conference title in six games. The NBA finals begin Thursday night at the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles led the West finals 3-2 heading into Saturday night’s game in Phoenix.
Paul Pierce could use a respite from the battering he took driving to the hoop in the physical series with the Magic.
“I know I need it,” said Pierce, the star of the clincher with 31 points and 13 rebounds. “I’ve got a couple injuries that I kind of want to cure. … Just minor stuff like foot, back, stuff like that. But nothing major for me, you know. Running into Dwight Howard really doesn’t help your body.”
Late in the third quarter of Game 5, Davis, known as “Big Baby,” was leveled by an inadvertent elbow to the face from Orlando’s muscular center under Boston’s basket. Dazed, he struggled to his feet slowly then zigzagged upcourt on rubbery legs before falling into the arms of referee Joey Crawford near midcourt.
Two days later, Davis contributed 6 points, 7 rebounds and a block in 17 minutes.
“I was kind of dizzy a little bit because of the loud noise and just the adrenaline,” he said after Friday’s win. “Then I kind of slowed down. I just thought, just go out there and play.”
Rondo was floored by Jason Williams while driving to the basket. Boston’s point guard landed awkwardly on his back and stayed down, then got up slowly and sank two free throws for the last points of the first quarter and a 30-19 Celtics lead.
“He’s going to be OK,” Rivers said. “I’m more concerned with Rasheed, honestly. Rasheed got tight. You could see it. I will say this about Rasheed and `Baby.’ Neither one of them was in great shape.”
Wallace played only 12 scoreless minutes but had three rebounds. The backup forward, who has emerged as a major contributor in the playoffs, had left the previous game with back spasms and tweaked his back again Friday.
“Rasheed could not move,” Rivers said, “but we have time. So I think by Thursday we’ll be good.”
There also are some minor injuries — Kendrick Perkins’ right wrist and Tony Allen’s right ankle. And Marquis Daniels missed Friday’s game after sustaining a concussion Wednesday.
“I’m glad we’re going to get done and get some rest,” Rivers said. “That may be the most important thing going into the next series.”
None of those ailments are as devastating as the single injury that hurt the Celtics last season. Kevin Garnett missed the playoffs with a bad knee and Boston was eliminated by Orlando in seven games in the Eastern semifinals.
He avoided injury Friday when he and J.J. Redick pursued a loose ball and fell into the crowd with Garnett landing on top of the Orlando guard.
Garnett did miss 10 games from Dec. 30 to Jan. 20 with a hyperextended right knee, the same knee from which he had bone spurs removed last May. And Pierce sat out five games after left knee surgery, two with a sore left foot and three with a sore right thumb before returning March 2.
Rivers made it a priority to have his team healthy for the playoffs, even if it meant losing regular-season games. The Celtics went 27-27 in their last 54 after starting the season, while healthy, at 23-5.
“I thought after 28 games you could say we felt like we were the best team in the NBA, and then after that we had injuries, we fell apart, we struggled finding ourselves,” Rivers said. “That stretch, the last month, we formed a game plan.
“We were losing games, but guys were resting and conditioning, and I thought that was the only chance we had. Because the one thing I did learn through the injuries, we were not good enough injured, and we had a chance healthy. There were no guarantees, but we had a chance healthy.”
Players concentrated on getting treatment, working in the weight room and resting. Losses were less important.
“Despite what we were going through, everybody was focused,” Ray Allen said, “and wanted to be where we are today.”
May
26
2010
* Robin Lopez
* #15
* Forward-Center
* Phoenix Suns
* Height: 7-0
* Weight: 255
* Born: Apr 1, 1988 – North Hollywood, California
* College: Stanford
* Draft: 2008 – 1st round (15th pick) by the Phoenix Suns
News and Notes
May 24 C Robin Lopez didn’t look like a player just three games into his return from back problems. He broke the Lakers’ back in Game 3 with 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting and scored in a variety of ways — dunks, lay-ups, hooks and even a few jumpers. While the Lakers put their defensive attention on Amar’e Stoudemire, Lopez was left open several times and made Los Angeles pay on a night when the Suns weren’t shooting well from the outside. “Just in general, I just needed to make sure I kept people off the boards, stepped up on defense when there is penetration, and offensively when I had an opportunity,” Lopez said. “I needed to take it, whether it was to get the ball to somebody else or attack the rim.”