Thursday, 28 February 2013

Report: QPR 0 United 2 - Manchester United

A stunning Rafael goal and Ryan Giggs' late effort saw off QPR and sent Manchester United 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Rafael fired a superb arrowing 20-yard drive past home goalkeeper Julio Cesar midway through the first half to give the Reds the lead at Loftus Road.

Relegation-haunted Rangers battled hard but Giggs' well-taken low strike sealed victory for United and put pressure on Manchester City, who host Chelsea on Sunday.

The only downside of the afternoon was an injury to Robin van Persie, who was forced off before the break after sustaining a hip problem in the build-up to Rafael's goal.

Nevertheless, Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased to come away with the win after a spirited and feisty display from the league's bottom side, who had previously taken home points off Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Van Persie had started up front with Javier Hernandez as Sir Alex made seven changes to the side that beat Reading in the FA Cup. Wayne Rooney was named on the bench following his sinus infection, while Nani started after his decisive cup cameo against Reading five days earlier. Former Reds winger Ji-sung Park was among the home side's

Link: FC Luzern - FC Thun [Live Football]

Ronaldo: Barcelona success gives us great confidence to decide to try Manchester United - Yahoo! Activities

Jose Mourinho's area beat its great rival 3-1 at Camp Nou to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory and the former United person says his staff will now check out Old Trafford in good spirits. "To defeat Barca is always a thing that really gives us great motivation," Ronaldo told reporters. "To be honest we did not expect this result nevertheless the team really was good. We now have to visit Manchester, but this has given us a lot of confidence." Since the club was left by him in the summer of 2009 the striker, whose two his tally was taken by goals last night for the time to 39 in front of the seeing Sir Alex Ferguson, will undoubtedly be returning to Old Trafford for the first-time as a player. Iker Casillas, who'll miss the second leg as a result of injury, also presented his ideas on the upcoming game saying: "We'll go to Manchester with exactly the same concept we brought here and on a pitch as you are able to enjoy playing on. We have to just take that to Old Trafford. "In the group, when things do not go well, maybe we don't give 100 percent to ourselves. However the the winners group and pot are our two major challenges." Sergio Ramos also talked about next week's sport in the aftermath of Madrid's semifinal success that will now begin to see the team play possibly Sevilla or town competitor Atletico Madrid. Nothing is meant by "this result to the Manchester sport but the team will be really lifted by it so that we experience up for the get back leg," he explained. Follow GOAL.COM on Facebook

Via: PEC Zwolle - Willem II [Live Football]

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Barcelona vs. True Madrid, 2013 Copa del Rey semifinals: Survey - SB Nation

Given the tumultuous status of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Champions League strategies, Tuesday's Copa del Rey version of El Clasico could end up being a or break" game for each team's season. When RaphAel Varane obtained an for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of these Copa del Rey semifinal link against Barcelona, it gave Los Merengues' season new life. A house loss to Barcelona in the competition they've the most effective possibility of winning would have been disastrous, while they were (and still are) mixed up in Champions League. Rather than as dead men walking planning to the Camp Nou, they'll take the frequency on Tuesday feeling confident that if they perform to the most useful of their abilities, they could advance to the final. Barcelona remain touring atop La Liga and will get that trophy with out a issue, but their period has taken a for the worse recently. Varane's goal was an incredibly minor drawback in comparison to last week's efficiency at the San Siro, where they certainly were soundly beaten 2-0 with a excellent AC Milan area. The Blaugrana have seemed to be on cruise get a grip on in lots of of their group suits, but were winning comfortably despite their deficiencies. Provided that they continued to stand up effects, Barcelona's issue -- a less incisive and questionable group than in decades handed -- was out of sight and out of mind. Milan's performance suddenly made their issues very obvious and very true. As neither side seems like the present team to beat in the Champions League, Tuesday's fit could be a make-or-break one in the periods of equally Barcelona and Real Madrid. It would be hard to clean away the disappointment of a Round of 16 leave in the Champions League for either group, but a Copa del Rey title can make that bitter pill much simpler to take, and could be the difference between fans being patient or calling for an upgrade of the membership. The only serious damage concern for Barcelona is Adriano, who likely would only be a substitute even though he was healthier. Nevertheless, he is an exceptionally of use change and Roura will be hoping he will be easily fit into time for the fit. He's a great pair of new legs at either fullback place, and he is a top level defensive winger. Jose Manuel Pinto is anticipated to start ahead of Victor Valdes depending on usual in the Copa del Rey. True Madrid's only confirmed absence is Iker Casillas, who is still out with a broken hand. RaphAel Varane, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema are dealing with small nagging injuries and must all be available if Mourinho desires to pick them to start out. Barcelona (4-3-3 ): JosA Manuel Pinto; Jordi Alba, Gerard PiquA, Carles Puyol, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas; Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez Actual Madrid (4-2-3-1 ): Diego Lopez; Fabio CoentrAo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa; Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Azil, Angel Di Maria; Karim Benzema Jordi Alba vs. Angel Di Maria: As effective as Angel Di Maria has been this season, he'll have his arms full with the forward runs of Jordi Alba. He provides a amazing large store down the left flank for Barcelona, and Di Maria should observe him. Jose Mourinho versus. Jordi Roura/Tito Vilanova: If Massimiliano Allegri can have the better of Jordi Roura and Tito Vilanova, certainly Jose Mourinho can figure some thing out? Perhaps it's time for him to go back to bad basketball within an make an effort to stifle and beat the Blaugrana. The Merengues supporters won't like it too much, but it worked for Milan for reasons. Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta vs. themselves: Both Cesc and Iniesta are in poor form at this time, and will need to up their games on Tuesday. Their activities do rely on other forward participants making great runs, which they weren't actually doing against Milan, but they have to attempt (and periodically complete) innovative and hard penetrative moves when the possibilities present themselves. Madrid's CBs versus. their prints on targeting collection pieces: RaphAel Varane's target in the initial leg was no fluke. Madrid's central defenders (and Cristiano Ronaldo) are greater, stronger, and better jumpers than anyone on Barcelona. The Blaugrana don't need to make a terrible mistake to admit on a collection piece. It is a basic fact of the physical qualities of both groups. Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Varane are among the hardest people in the world to mark on set plays, but Barca will have to make a move to help keep them from getting free headers. Real Madrid desire a 1-1 draw to drive extra time or a higher scoring draw to progress. Barcelona's recent kind implies that an outcome like this is manageable for Los Merengues. I prefer a 2-2 pull and Madrid to progress to the last. Follow @SBNationSoccer on Facebook

Like SB Region Football on Facebook a De Gea and adequate imperfection a Full coverage of El Clasico a DFB-Pokal resumes Tuesday The League Cup is lifted by a Swansea a Palermoas managing antics carry on

Via: Montpellier HSC - Stade Rennes [Live Football]

Monday, 25 February 2013

Searching Hamilton Academical Barcelona, Copa del Rey Edition: Accommodation To Return? - Managing Madrid

Madrid can perform Barcelona twice this week. With choice dilemmas and a Champions League plan suddenly on the edge, Barcelona can be likely to bring David Villa back once again to the fore. This fit is more important compared to the group fixture for Barcelona. They have a large lead in a group they have probably already won and the match is likely to be at home. A gain might find them in the ultimate of the Copa del Rey. For this reason, you can expect them to field their finest line-up. The difficulty for Barcelona is that the thinking on their "best line-up" might have improved after the midweek shock of losing 2-0 to a poor and far-from-vintage AC Milan side in the Champions League. Recently, Barcelona have performed essentially a striker-less system, with Messi as a nine, Alexis Sanchez or Pedro (both having frustrating times) up front with him, and sometimes Iniesta when Fabregas is started in midfield. Against Milan, a team that weren't even particularly defensive, the flaws with this process were on full display. Cesc Fabregas, the poor person, pushes the exceptional Iniesta out of his most useful position. Neither Pedro nor Alexis Sanchez are rating. Barcelona had no penetration; Messi had a single effect of the ball in the resistance box and Barcelona had just one shot on goal. That week-end, Barcelona won against Sevilla after conceding early. They enjoyed David Villa upfront. The fixtures against Madrid can observe that player returning to the standard line-up. There has been reluctance to use Villa this season. He was injured for some time, and upon his return was included in a spat with Lionel Messi. Ever since then he's seen out-of-form players start before him and has perhaps not included in a crucial match. But he remains the absolute most gifted of Barcelona's strikers and he's an important trait: he is prepared to shoot from length. In a group that will challenge once they aren't allowed to have the ball in the place (and Madrid are predicted, as usual, to perform a top range) Villa allows Barcelona the edge. If he weren't to play It'd be described as a shock. This is a fantastic Barcelona staff, well on its way to winning a record-breaking season. But any champion winning team has to own luck on its side and this team still has defects to exploit that Mourinho's men will be well conscious of. Some have already been touched on. There are the others. Barcelona remains defensively susceptible. Additionally they rely on Lionel Messi to get them out of scrapes. Up to now, specially in the last many weeks, it has worked. They continue to rule possession, but as Milan's coach put it mid-week "we simply had to ensure possession was clean and utilize ours." The breakdown was 35% to 65% person - but Milan had greater chances, more shots on target and handily won the game. Barcelona have the second-leg home-advantage, and the absent target after achieving a considerably weakened Madrid in the initial leg. They're an excellent team playing at home, but the tie is carefully balanced.

Link: FSV Mainz 05 - SC Freiburg [Live Football]

Sunday, 24 February 2013

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Preview: Arsenal FC vs. FC Bayern Munich - Bleacher Report

Tradition and culture are so often associated with Bayern. The Munich side is a club which prides itself on its tradition. Most of all, it prides itself on a winning mentality. That mentality has been put to the toughest of tests in the past couple of years. Bayern München has not won a trophy in two seasons. That, in itself, is not the trend Bayern wants to set.

With the Bundesliga seemingly wrapped up, Bayern has the chance to concentrate more on the cup competitions, especially on the one which caused them two heartbreaks in the past three seasons. The German Giants will kick start their hunt for the poisoned chalice this year against Arsenal FC.

Arsenal's most recent showing against Blackburn revealed all their problems. They controlled possession but produced almost nothing in the final third. They were shocked by a strange goal. They lacked creativity. Their most recent match in the Premier League was against Sunderland. Arsenal huffed and puffed but managed to cross the line thanks to a goal from Santi Cazorla. What most probably do not realize is Arsenal was actually in good form prior to the showing against Blackburn.

The Gunners had been unbeaten in five, drawing one and winning four. Former Bayern player, Lukas Podolski, has been in good form too. He set up three goals against West Ham and scored one himself. He struck against Stoke more recently in a 1-0 victory. He was rested against Blackburn in the FA Cup.

As far as his old club is concerned, they are simply scintillating at the moment. Bayern is yet to concede a goal this year. They have won all their matches in 2013, at least by two goals. The more recent victory against Wolfsburg was slightly labored it must be said. The attack did well but the defence was not as convincing as usual. The rather rusty Luis Gustavo filled in for Javier Martinez in this match. That was perhaps one of the reasons.

Bayern was flawless against Schalke last week. Manuel Neuer resorted to heading with Thomas Muller that day. The performance against Mainz was also quite brilliant. The first two performances in the league following the winter break against Greuther Fürth and Stuttgart were not brilliant; however, Bayern showed in those two matches that they can win even when they are not at their best.

For Arsenal, it is not too difficult to name the main man. It is all about the English youngster Jack Wilshere. When Wilshere plays, Arsenal flows. He starred in England's recent win over Brazil; his stock has risen further since. Arsene Wenger waited for a year for his star man to recover from a horrendous injury. Wilshere has come back bigger and better.

Most importantly for Arsenal fans, this player loves his club. He is grateful to them unlike Robin van Persie. He plays for the love of the Arsenal badge. The young midfielder is extremely passionate. Of course Arsenal has other stars too. Santi Cazorla is an intelligent and nifty player; however, sometimes, he makes selfish decisions.

Theo Walcott is having the best season of his career currently. The aforementioned Podolski has done well so far. Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby are two excellent midfielders who currently star for the Gunners.

In Bayern, every single player is a star. However, while shutting him down does not necessarily mean shutting Bayern down, Bayern's heart and soul is Bastian Schweinsteiger. Whether he is injured or not, Schweinsteiger is an absolute necessity to Bayern. He does the little things in midfield which nobody does which helps his side control a match. He controls the pace of a match and he is Bayern's chief distributor. He is an all rounder; he plays every single role in the side to perfection whenever required.

Another indispensable player is of course Thomas Müller. Müller has a "winning affect" on Bayern. He is one of the most intelligent footballers in the world. He can dribble as well but his intelligence outshines his other talents. He scores strange goals which nobody else would score. At his tender age of 23, he has seen it all. He has not won it all though.

Franck Ribery is another player without whom Bayern tends to suffer at times. Toni Kroos is Bayern's creative soul. He finds those impossible passes that nobody else finds. He is a true attacking midfielder. He has added defensive skills to his armor to make his game much better. Kroos can dominate the best of midfields quietly. Dante is an absolute rock for Bayern at the back.

And finally, let us not forget Manuel Neuer. Neuer's lack of saves is portrayed much too many times in the media However, he has often made game changing saves. Last season, when Bayern and Real Madrid played in Munich, Neuer pulled off an unbelievable save from Karim Benzema in the seventh minute. That save turned out to be a match winning save. More recently, against Wolfsburg, at 0-1, Diego hit an absolute blockbuster of a freekick. Neuer saved it in the nick of time. Without that save, Bayern might not have gone on to win the match.

Both sides play a similar brand of football. Their focus lies in beautiful football on the pitch. Arsenal relies more on possession than on creativity. Their pace is slower than that of Bayern but they do have players who can increase the pace when at their best. Bayern creates more in the final third; they do control possession but is nowadays equally potent with little of it. They press a lot more than Arsenal; they hassle the opposition continuously.

As far as strengths and weaknesses are concerned, Bayern's greatest strength is undoubtedly the boundless creativity they have in the side. Defensively, they are great too even though they do not have to do too much work at the back. Daniel Van Buyten, considered a liability by some, has consistently been in the lineup this year and has performed well. Bayern has conceded seven goals in the league, none of which have come this year. In the Champions League, they conceded the same number. However, three came in one horrible day against BATE. There are really no such weaknesses in the side anymore. The only complaint is perhaps that the defense is still slightly vulnerable.

For Arsenal, the strength is also the midfield. The weakness is of course the defense. Recently, Arsenal has tightened up and has stopped conceding so many goals. However, they do not look convincing at the back. Like Bayern, one of their strengths is counterattacking. They have a good striker, like Mario Mandzukic, in Olivier Giroud.

Martinez is said to be making progress and is expected to be ready by Tuesday, Aside from the injured Holger Badstuber and the suspended Jerome Boateng, Jupp Heynckes can call on all his players for this one. Heynckes, most importantly, has a strong bench to choose from. For Arsene Wenger's side, the main problem is the left back spot. Kieran Gibbs is injured while Nacho Monreal is not eligible for Champions League play. Thomas Vermaelen has returned from injury as has Wilshere.

Bayern has convinced thoroughly in league play this season. However, the same cannot be said about the Champions League. They were brilliant against Valencia, Lille and BATE in Munich. They were not convincing against tough tackling Lille in France but came away with a 0-1 win. They were awful in Belarus against BATE. In Valencia, they did just enough to make sure they qualified for the next round in a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal meanwhile started off well but came unstuck against a Schalke side that really matured in the Champions League this season. They finished second in the group. Wenger and his Arsenal team have often referred to Chelsea's victory last season. Any talk of that game is definitely forbidden in Munich. However, it is after all that loss along with Borussia Dortmund's double last season which is propelling Bayern to record breaking heights this season.

This is set to be a very interesting game. Bayern has not convinced away from home in Champions League play this season. On paper, Bayern would be the clear winner. However, that was the case in last season's finale too. We all know how that ended. Complacency has often been a huge problem for Bayern. It could be a problem again. Also, Bayern sometimes tends to not turn up. This has happened only once this season; however, it did happen in the Champions League in Belarus.

Arsenal definitely has a chance. The first leg is after all in their home stadium. Bayern however is hungrier and better than they have been in a decade. They are currently second in the UEFA club rankings behind Barcelona.

True Madrid Make Bet For Manchester United Striker...

Have the CaughtOffside iPad software. Obtain the no 1 Free Activities Software from the Application Shop. All of the latest footie information and much, much more. Previous Trafford forward on the wanted set of Bernabeu membership. Register to Manchester United versus Norwich Area True Madrid are considering a move to sign Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez by the end of the growing season with the Mexican star facing a fight for his Old Trafford future. fanatix tickets a El Clasico tickets are still available for the biggest derby fit in Europe.Real Madrid versus Barcelona tickets are on sale for this significant La Liga battle at the Bernabeau on March 3rd. Hernandez has proven himself to be one of the Premier Leagueas best goalscorers with 15 to his name this season, but he continues to possess to produce do with occasional looks as he's behind Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck in the pecking order. The 24-year-old Mexican international may fall further behind if Manchester United do complete a deal to sign huge Pole Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund in the summer with Sir Alex Ferguson thinking about a deal. And, according to the Sunday Mirror, Real Madrid are set to check Unitedas handle to keep Hernandez with a bid in the offing by the end of the summer season as they look to add a goalscorer to their ranks to replace Karim Benzema. Madrid are comprehended to have been tracking Hernandez throughout his career at Manchester United having also been in the running to sign him as a young child only to lose out to the Old Trafford club. True Madridas own ahead Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a to Manchester United, where he made his name before being authorized by the La Liga giants, with Ferguson reported to be ready to pay A55million to re-sign the Portuguese global.

Via: Trabzonspor - Antalyaspor [Live Football]

City to open talks with Yaya Toure? - Manchester City

Toure will have two years left on his current contract in the summer and the Daily Star claims the Blues are more than keen to secure his services longer term.

"No formal discussions have been planned with Toure, who has just returned to the Premier League after almost a month away on African Nations Cup duty," writes Steve Millar.

"Boss Roberto Mancini would love to harness Toure's power and skills for the next five years and is in no doubt of the Ivory Coast star's value to the club."

"The former Chelsea and Swansea wide man has failed to break through at City after a £6million move from the Welsh club last summer," reports Paul Hetherington.

"Sinclair, 23, will be available this summer when Everton – who were interested in a loan deal in the January transfer window – will decide whether to make a firm bid.

Finally, ahead of today's Premier League clash, Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has been speaking about his desire to finish above defending champions City.

"Chelsea will fight to finish as high as they can in the Barclays Premier League," reports Mark Bryan's of the Daily Mail.

"The Blues travel to second-placed Manchester City knowing a win will close the gap on the reigning champions to a single point.

Benitez said: "We'll try to finish second if we can, you never know - this is a massive game, so let's see where we are at the end. Until the last week, we may be fighting each other."

Dortmund held 1-1 at Gladbach in Bundesliga - Football information

BERLIN (AP) a Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen conceded more ground in the Bundesliga concept competition after both were held to draws on Sunday. Protecting champ Dortmund happened 1-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach, while Leverkusen didn't make use in a 0-0 sketch at bottom part Greuther Fuerth in the game. Mario Goetze set Dortmund ahead from the penalty area for his eighth target of the time in the 31st minute. Amin Younes, who'd Moenchengladbach's first work on purpose in the 56th, equalized with a deflected shot in the 67th. "There are worse things than drawing in Gladbach," Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said. "Not that individuals are happy about it." Goetze acquired the fee when he was brought down by Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the area. "It was my mistake," the goalkeeper said. "He then accepted today's and set the ball past me. I'll work with my positioning." Playing without membership top scorers Juan Arango and Patrick Herrmann through damage and suspension, respectively, Moenchengladbach did not have a go on goal in the first half. But his first Bundesliga goal was then netted by the 19-year-old Younes to earn the idea. "I will go home and enjoy with my family," Younes said. Both parties had chances to win it late on. Moenchengladbach alternative Peniel Mlapa struck the side-netting from the hard angle within the last moment. Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl then missed with the target at his mercy in injury time. "We had the overall game within our hold, did not let any target chances," Kehl said. "There is no way should have helped this game result in a sketch. In the end I really could are determined it, that is bitter." Dortmund was left 17 factors behind runaway chief Bayern Munich. The sides meet in an eagerly expected German Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday. Leverkusen remained one place behind Dortmund. "We only did not move well today," Dortmund forward Marco Reus said after his first return to Moenchengladbach because switching between your factors. "I don't know why. It was very untypical of us." Fuerth, which sacked Mike Bueskens as coach on Wednesday, had goalkeeper Wolfgang Hesl to thank for a sequence of saves in Ludwig Preis' first game responsible as interim coach. "We are not stopping under any circumstances," Preis said. "That was a sign that we continue to be alive." Mergim Mavraj very nearly won for Fuerth in the 30th, only for Gonzalo Castro to clear his header off the point. Hesl refused Stefan Kiessling before break, and however from the jump, before Andre Schuerrle's follow-up effort was cleared off the point. The Fuerth goalkeeper was the busiest person in the second half, nevertheless the home part held on for an invaluable point. "We have declared ourselves straight back (in the relegation struggle )," said Fuerth leader Helmut Hack. "Most people wrote us off already." Discuss article: Dortmund used 1-1 at Gladbach in Bundesliga

More Info: Platanias - Asteras Tripolis [Live Football]

Pistorius' brother facing charge in traffic

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The murder case involving Olympic star Oscar Pistorius took another unexpected turn Sunday with the news that his older brother, Carl, is himself facing charges for the death of a woman in a traffic accident.

Carl Pistorius faces a charge of unlawful, negligent killing for a 2008 road death, "in which a woman motorcyclist sadly lost her life," Kenneth Oldwage, the Pistorius family lawyer said on Sunday. The charge of "culpable homicide" will be challenged in court, he told The Associated Press.

It is the second time someone associated with the Pistorius case has been found to face a serious charge. It was revealed that the chief police investigator in the case is facing charges of seven counts of attempted murder for shooting at a vehicle with seven passengers. Following the revelations, he was removed from the Pistorius investigation and a new chief detective was appointed on Thursday.

In another twist this weekend, model Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot to death by Oscar Pistorius on Valentine's Day was on television again in a new episode of the reality show "Tropika Island of Treasure 5" even though she was buried last Tuesday.

On Monday, Oscar Pistorius must report to the police station in Brooklyn, a suburb of the nation's capital Pretoria, and sign in, a twice-weekly procedure which is part of his bail conditions.

Pistorius was released on bail Friday and stayed at the home of his uncle Arnold in Waterkloof, an affluent suburb of Pretoria, where Oscar is now staying. His brother, Carl, came to visit the house Sunday.

The problem confronting his older brother Carl is the latest complication in a case that has transfixed South Africa and much of the world.

"It's also doubly sad because it's involved with Oscar and his brother and all the family — so they have double sort of trouble," said Johannesburg resident Jim Plester.

Lawyer Oldwage said that "Carl deeply regrets the accident" and that a blood test showed he was not drunk at the time. He said the charges had initially been dropped, only to be reinstated later.

Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder, but the athlete says he killed his girlfriend accidentally, opening fire after mistaking her for an intruder in his home.

The three-story house where Pistorius is staying with his aunt and uncle sits on a hill with a sweeping view of Pretoria. It has a large swimming pool and an immaculate garden.

The character of Pistorius also continued to take center stage. For many, it mirrors his public appearances as an articulate, well-spoken advocate for Paralympic athletes facing hardship. Witness statements describing Pistorius as a down-to-earth guy were presented at the hearing.

Others have described him as a reckless risk taker who has been in trouble before, such as a boating accident in 2009 which put him into a hospital intensive care unit.

But in a report on Sunday, a South African man who said Steenkamp had stayed at his home since September, described Pistorius as moody and impatient. Cecil Myers, whose daughter was close friends with Steenkamp, said in an interview in the City Press newspaper, that Pistorius will have the killing of Steenkamp on his conscience. "I hope he gets a long sentence. Gets what he deserves," said Myers.

Pistorius appeared "very nice and charming to us when they started dating," said Myers. Myers said Pistorius initially used to come into the house but later just dropped Steenkamp off and picked her up when they began to date steadily, and he described the change as a lack of respect.

Myers recalled their first date and told the newspaper: "After that he wouldn't leave her alone. He kept pestering her, phoning and phoning and phoning her."

Myers said he told Pistorius "not to force himself on her. Back off." He said that after initially agreeing with him, it appeared that Pistorius soon took no heed.

In the bail hearing, a character reference for Pistorius, acknowledged that "the only issue in the relationship that I was made aware of was that Reeva sometimes thought Oscar was moving a little fast."

Pistorius was born without fibula bones due to a congenital defect and his legs were amputated when he was 11 months old. He has run on carbon-fiber blades and was originally banned from competing against able-bodied peers because many argued that his blades gave him an unfair advantage. He was later cleared to compete. He is a multiple Paralympic medalist, and won a silver medal at the 2011 Daegu world championships with South Africa's 4x400 relay team. But he failed to win a medal at the London Olympics, where he ran in the 400 meter race and the 4x400 relay race.

AP Sports Writer Gerald Imray contributed from Pretoria. AP Writer Christopher Torchia contributed from Johannesburg.

Via: Corinthians SP - millionaires [Live Football]

Tina Maze wins super-combi, clinches over all name

MERIBEL, France (AP) a Tina Maze of Slovenia clinched her first overall World Cup title Sunday, earning the super-combined for her eighth victory this year with seven contests still to go. Labyrinth led the part and coasted house in the slalom after Maria Hoefl-Riesch crashed out of rivalry. A season record was also tied by her with her 18th top-three finish, corresponding the podium level set by Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden and Hanni Wenzel of Liechtenstein. "I am a psychological person; used to do not want to cry (on the podium )," Maze said, introducing she felt tired prior to the slalom. "I went along to the bathroom six times before I started." Maze already has 1,844 things and is all but certain to beat the summer season record a' men or women a' of 2,000 held by Austrian great Hermann Maier. "It is truly special since it is so hard to gain. For me it is special to keep this level of skiing," Maze said. "To be on the top is incredible. It's an excellent year for me personally. Even if there have been ups and downs I've always come back." Barring injury, Maze will probably break the men's and women's points record and seal her place in skiing history with the women's year record for podiums. She is also seeking to become only the 3rd woman to win all five discipline events in one season and requires only a downhill win to do so. She had a chance Saturday, but finished last, and now has two downhills outstanding, beginning next week in the German resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Hoefl-Riesch is second in the overall rankings but is 958 points behind and does not have any potential for closing the distance. Each victory is worth 100 points. Lindsey Vonn, the four-time overall success and defending champion, fell out of competition after she took a monthlong break as a result of an intestinal illness and then was done for the season after a leg injury at the planet championships. Vonn continues to be third total with 740 points. "I am really tired now, especially after having a long day like today," the 29-year-old Maze said. "Today was so tough, I didn't know where I was. The course was almost gone off by me twice. But I recently were able to get the gates. It is crazy." Nicole Hosp of Austria, the planet title bronze medalist in super-combi, done 2nd, while countrywoman Michaela Kirchgasser took third with an excellent slalom run. Network is also in competition to get all five discipline games. "My target will be focused before the end of the growing season since there are many small globes that are available and possible to get," she said. "I want to hold this level of skiing before the end. I do not want to go down; I want to help keep it at the high level." Hosp, the Planet Cup winner in 2007, lauded Maze's reliability. "There are no words to explain Tina's incredible season," she said. Julia Mancuso went near to clinching the next super-combi podium of her profession and her first in six years. But the American built a little mistake midway through, slipping forward on her skis. Labyrinth is attempting to end up being the first woman to break the 2,000-point barrier. She could smash Vonn's mark of 1,980 from last season and surpass Maier men's history of 2,000 in 1999-00. "It has been an exceptional period for Tina," Kirchgasser said. "To be to date ahead in the points. Last time it was a person who won with more than 2,000 factors and I really do not think Tina will soon be far off." Maze's incredible season also incorporates three gold medals from the sides in Schladming, Austria a gold in super-G and silver in super-combi and giant slalom. She dropped from an additional silver to Hoefl-Riesch and felt Sunday's win fairly made up for that. "I had that at heart because in Schladming I did maybe not do a good slalom," she said. A lot was not risked by "i and today I did different. Therefore by the end it's a revenge, too, but the goal was better skiing from my side. "It is an excellent mountain, I'd some troubles recently in downhill," Maze said. "I had some trouble on the top. But the remaining portion of the slope is like a dream."

More Info: FC Admira - Red Bull Salzburg [Live Football]

Birmingham City vs. Chelsea: Half-time rating 0-0, City principal but...

It is not been a great game at the Etihad Stadium, as neither side has played particularly well. Birmingham City have observed a lot more of the ball, but their finishing has been extremely profligate despite some disastrous defending from Chelsea. In reality, both teams have given a view of why they are up to now off the pace in the league this year, while City's all-round play was outstanding. Matija Nastasic nearly put them in the cause early from a large part, but a fine end from Petr Cech kept the scores level. Sergio Aguero also had a fine opportunity to score after Ashley Cole gave the ball away with Chelsea's support all over the place, but the Argentinian took too long, and after failing continually to round Cech the chance was gone. Pablo Zabaleta had the opportunity to score late in the half as a bouncing ball landed beyond your region effectively for him, but he could only freeze his picture into Gary Cahill's mind. Chelsea experienced a few spells of possession outside the City spot, but seemed only with the capacity of winning possession through being fouled, and were reduced at one time to using Frank Lampard attempt to score from a free-kick 40 yards out. Something's surely got to cave in the 2nd half, but now it is hard to see what.

More Info: Pohang Steelers - Beijing Guoan [Live Football]

Team Sheets: Manchester City v Chelsea | 101GG Football news

Manchester City starting XI: Hart, Zabaleta (C), Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Clichy, Garcia, Milner, Rodwell, Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero.

Harry Redknapp Will Not Stop QPR Even If They're Directed...

Get the CaughtOffside iPad app. Acquire the number 1 Free Activities Application from the Application Store. All the latest footie news and much, much more. Loftus Road chef can remain in charge even if membership are relegated. Check in to Southampton Hamilton Academical vs QPR Queens Park Rangers will not be quit by harry Redknapp if the membership are relegated from the Premier League at the end of the summer season. Tony Fernandes, owner of the Premier Leagueas base membership, has held discussions with Redknapp and has been assured that his boss will not disappear from Loftus Road if QPR fail to hold onto their place in the top flight. Source: Sky SportsFernandes wrote on Twitter: aI am positive as ever. Iam still grinning. Itas another 8 games. A lot of nutrients. Good talk to Harry on the long run come what may possibly. We know what we've to do. Many items to play for. aIam responsible for this chaos finally. I've heard the lovers and I will fix and stay it. I truly love QPR. We can sort this out. Uncertain just how many times I could promise. Iam pledging. Ainat going anywhere as long as the lovers want me.a QPR have only 17 points this season and are seven points from safety in the Premier League after heading down 2-0 in the home to leaders Manchester United on Saturday. They have 11 games to safe themselves from the fall. Redknapp, who took over from Mark Hughes with the membership grounded to underneath of the table, has previously turned around fortunes at Tottenham and Portsmouth to earn his nickname as Harry Houdini. He has pinned his hopes on the forthcoming games against their relegation competitors while the only hope of obtaining enough things to avoid relegation.

Via: To the Hala - Al - Khor [Live Football]

Saturday, 23 February 2013

Manchester City v Blackburn u18s Barclays U18 Premier League ...

A very youthful side grabbed the first post-Christmas points in the U18 League with an emphatic win against Arsenal last week, following a tricky start to 2013.  Rovers were aiming to build on their midweek victory over Norwich.

Adam Sadler again shuffled his pack, and the home side made six changes from the starting lineup against the Gunners.

Ian Lawlor returned in goal to captain the side, and a much changed midfield was led well by Wato Kuate in the centre.

The right wing slot was occupied by Jorge Intima, who gave an excellent performance of strong runs and accurate crosses.

Last week's hattrick hero, Joe Nuttall, was handed another opportunity to lead the line and duly responded by scoring what turned out to be the winner.

Good work from Jose Angel Tasende on the left hand side ended with an excellent cross, which gave Nuttall an easy tap in for his fourth goal in two games.

It was the second goal of the day for City after half an hour. Four minutes earlier, Kuate had given them the lead with a powerful header from a free kick on the right hand side, given after a heavy challenge on Intima left him lying on the turf for some minutes.

They were unlucky not to be ahead inside the first minute, after an Intima cross from the right hand side caused havoc in the box and City had three attempts to finish before the Rovers goalkeeper smothered the ball.

There were plenty of other opportunities too, and although there were a couple of nervy moments at the back, the best chance for the visitors was headed wide after 20 minutes.

A light snowfall joined the young Blues for the second period, and they began the half well, Dominic McHale's shot being just scooped off the line one minute after the restart.

But Blackburn grabbed one back shortly after through striker Jordan Preston, who dinked the ball over Lawlor and into the net, despite the best efforts of two defenders on the line.

The visitors forced their way back into a match which had been largely one sided prior to the goal, and there were a few scares as the game went on.

Cham hit a spectacular shot which fortunately smacked onto the bar, Sam Tattum cleared off the line and Rovers forced a good number of corners which they proved unable to convert.

Tuesday night's date with Derby County at Pride Park in the FA Youth Cup is next up on the academy schedule. The next league outing is at home against Newcastle on Saturday 2 March.

Lawlor, Tattum, Adarabioyo, Oseni, Tasende, Kuate, Intima, Glendon (Horsfield 70), Nuttall, Byrne (Bryan 63), McHale (Celina 83)

More Info: CSKA Moscow Youth - PSV Youth [Live Football]

Te'o doing tough balancing act at NFL combine

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Manti Te'o wants everyone to know he's over the embarrassment of an online hoax, and he's ready to focus on football.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up acknowledges he could have done things to avoid a public spectacle. But he says if he was still embarrassed by it, he wouldn't have taken questions Saturday at the NFL's annual scouting combine.

Instead, nearly two dozen television cameras and a room full of reporters were capturing every word out of Te'o's mouth as he again tried to explain how he was duped into believing a girlfriend that never existed died last fall.

Iker Casillas getting better from injury desires with winning a title this season

Iker Casillas says his recovery from a broken bone in his hand is certainly going a lot better than expected and he could be right back between the Real Madrid articles as soon as late March.

Casillas' hand was broken by a random end from his team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa throughout Madrid's Copa del Rey quarter-final recreation at the Mestalla on January 23.

It had been feared he would experience three months on the sidelines, and the team moved quickly to signal Diego Lopez for 3.5 million from Sevilla to perform in their likely season-defining activities against Barcelona in the Copa and Manchester United in the Champions League.

The Madrid club chief told reporters on Thursday night, at the beginning of a new club store at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, that the first schedule had only been a worst-case scenario.

"I am feeling quite positive," Casillas said. "The doctor gave me the worst-case scenario, he explained three months it may get. But when the splint was removed yesterday, I was told I had one month left. Now I'm doing effective exercises to get flexibility and power back the finger."

Casillas said he had been spending so much time at Madrid's Valdebebas education center to have straight back playing when possible.

"Until now I've maybe not had much energy in it, but I'm getting it back little by little," he said. "We are in the halfway point of the injury. I have still got monthly to go. I'll need certainly to work more and suffer more to obtain back the mobility of before. I am looking forward to returning. It's worse being off the message than on it."

The event was also joined by Casillas' team-mates including Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria, Jose Callejon, Nacho and Kaka, though coach Jose Mourinho was missing.

Alonso told reporters that he did not know yet whether he would cure his crotch problem over time for next Tuesday's Copa semi-final second leg at Barcelona's Camp Nou.

"I am in the recovery stage," the midfielder said. "I am trying to get better the moment possible, to obtain reduce the vexation and get back in top form. Lots of people ask when I will prepare yourself. I hope to be able to perform against Barca, but I don't have a remedy right now."

Former Liverpool player Alonso stated that, with the link balanced at 1-1, whoever won first in the Champions League last 16 get back sport at Manchester United on March 5 could be favourites to progress.

"They may have the support of their fans," he explained. "It will be considered a concern. The side that results first will undoubtedly be favourites. Old Trafford is a good surface and it is the sort of match we all prefer to play. The link is extremely open."

Di Maria stated that it may suit Madrid to be playing away from home in both of the upcoming, possibly season-defining, games.

"Things are getting well and develop to carry on this way," he said. "We know that we have to have large matches in both games and that it'll perhaps not be easy. Probably playing away is going to be in our favor since we prosper when things are against us. We've had this week to focus on the best way to approach the games. I hope everything goes well."

Benzema, who remains a doubt for Saturday evening's La Liga sport at Deportivo La Coruna, said he was not worried about his recent bad form facing target.

"I trust that I score more goals than I've to date, however the important thing could be the team and to win the future matches," he explained. "We need certainly to work together to get. We have a fantastic group and we are all in good form."

Kaka executed excellent in the match vs Deportivo La Coruna

"From the first minute of the next half we found a change of attitude. We didn't get because of the alternatives, that have been made in the twelfth second of the 2nd half, but because of the change we made. It was the attitude of all the players that started the recovery.

"It is true that seriously he [Kaka] is playing well. His frame of mind helps him and this is important for the group, that he's another alternative and that he is playing well. That is always good. 

Kaka's performance also earned the praise of assistant coach Aitor Karanka, who had been happy with the reaction of the team after planning behind to a Riki hit on 35 minutes. 
"We knew that Deportivo weren't playing well and saw us as an chance to change their fortunes. In the next half we increased our play, we scored two goals and we could simply take the three points house with us." 

Before Blaugrana edged out Sevilla later on Saturday night, the win moved Real to within 13 points of league leaders Barcelona. Inspite of the border remaining the same, Kaka feels success over Depor can enhance Real's likelihood of claiming wallpaper this phrase. 

"I am a lot better. What we have around the corner is interesting and it is the decisive part of the season and if the boss wants me to play I'll be there to help in those matches." 

"The team is playing well and things are becoming better for me also. In football anything changes quickly and I'm very happy to help the team win. 
"[It was] a significant victory really difficult match. In the initial half we were just a little troubled and a few mistakes were made by us. In the 2nd half we improved and we won three points that are important for us and for what's in the future over the next few weeks," Kaka told the club's officials site. 
Real originated from behind at the Riazor, with Kaka rating the equaliser before an 88th-minute winner was scored by Gonzalo Higuain for the guests. After suffering a difficult cause with minimal sport time, Kaka now thinks while they check out keep their La Liga and Champions League hopes alive he can help his group. 

Kaka has expressed pleasure at his recent change in fortunes, while the playmaker starred in Real Madrid's 2-1 comeback victory over Deportivo Manhunter Coruna. 

Ricardo Kaka performed well in the game against Deportivo La Coruna

"From the initial second of the 2nd half we found a change of attitude. We did not get because of the alterations, which were made in the twelfth minute of the second half, but because of the change we made. It was the attitude of all of the players that started the recovery.

"It is true that seriously he [Kaka] is playing well. He is helped by his state of mind and this is important for the team, that he's another option and that he is playing well. That is usually positive. 

Kaka's performance also received the reward of assistant coach Aitor Karanka, who was simply pleased with the result of the team after planning behind to a Riki attack on 35 minutes. 
"We knew that Deportivo were not playing well and saw us being an chance to change their fortunes. However in the next half we improved our play, we scored two goals and we could simply take the three things house with us." 

The gain moved Real to within 13 factors of group leaders Barcelona, before the Blaugrana surrounded out Sevilla down the road Saturday evening. Despite the profit remaining exactly the same, Kaka thinks victory over Depor could boost Real's odds of claiming silverware this phrase. 

"I am better. What we've around the corner is interesting and it is the major area of the season and if the manager wants me to play I will be there to simply help in those matches." 

"The group is playing well and things are receiving better for me too. In football anything changes rapidly and I am very happy to support the team win. 
"[It was] an essential victory in an exceedingly difficult match. In the initial half we were just a little anxious and we made a few problems. In the second half we improved and we won three points which are important for us and for what is to come over the next few weeks," Kaka told the club's officers website. 
Real came from behind at the Riazor, with Kaka rating the equaliser before Gonzalo Higuain won an 88th-minute winner for the guests. After enduring a spell with limited sport time, Kaka now feels he can help his staff because they check out hold their La Liga and Champions League hopes alive. 

Kaka has expressed pleasure at his new change in fortunes, as the playmaker starred in Real Madrid's 2-1 comeback victory over Deportivo Manhattan project Coruna. 

FC Barcelona pushing for Israel-Palestine peace match | InterAKTV

TEL AVIV – Barcelona president Sandro Rosell on Thursday suggested a football match between Israel and the Palestinians with players from both sides of the conflict as a step towards Middle East peace.

"We would like, with the Palestinian and Israeli leadership, to promote the idea of a football match for peace," he said in a joint statement alongside Israeli President Shimon Peres in Tel Aviv.

"FC Barcelona, modestly, wishes to make themselves available in order to contribute to the efforts to strengthen the bridges of peace and dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian communities," Rosell said in remarks relayed following the statement.

"We want to make our team, our players available to take part in a football match with the hope that this game will serve to extend the channels of dialogue within the two communities, that will help bring them closer."

"We believe with all our heart that a match involving Barca, with the collaboration of Israelis and Palestinians, can contribute to re-establish those links which are indispensable for people to live together peacefully."

Peres told Rosell that "in Israel, like all over the world, Barcelona has a legion of fans," and that football "brings down barriers, eliminates racism and teaches us to compete in friendship rather than fight in anger."

"Real peace is between people and not just between governments, and as our children love Barcelona, so too do children in the Palestinian Authority," said Peres.

"Together with you, and with the president of the Palestinian Authority, we will work to stage a special match which hopefully won't be a one-off occasion but part of ongoing cooperation between our children."

Rosell is due to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and head of Palestinian Football Association Jibril Rajoub in Ramallah on Friday to promote the initiative.

More Info: Lazio - Pescara [Live Football]

Deportivo La Coruña vs. Real Madrid: Final score 1-2, Madrid come ...

Real Madrid needed two late goals, including the winner two minutes from stoppage time, to see off a tremendous effort from last place Deportivo La Coruña.

There wasn't much action in the first quarter of an hour as Depor did a good job holding their own against Madrid. Los Blancos' attack seemed to be missing a needed link between the defense and the forwards with neither Mesut Özil or Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch.

Depor turned on the pressure in the 31st minute when Riki showed some tremendous ball control skill, flipping the ball up post a defender and volleying a shot as it came down. Unfortunately, the shot was well off target over the cross bar. A minute later, Pizzi tried a curling shot from outside the box that forced forced Diego Lopez to make a fully extended diving effort. The ball went wide off the post, but Depor was getting closer.

In the 35th minute, La Liga's last placed side took the lead thanks to a great individual effort from Riki and a mistake by Lopez. Riki took the ball on the run down the left wing and sent a precise shot that moved upwards, fooling Lopez who expected it to go low. The ball whizzed over the keeper and into the back of the net to give Depor a 1-0 advantage.

Madrid answered immediately with pressure but again it was Depor who looked more dangerous. In the 40th minute, Depor hit Madrid on the counter and Pizzi sent a shot that Lopez had no hope of stopping.Fortunately for the keeper, Marcelo was at the far post and cleared the shot away from danger.

Things started to turn around in the 57th minute when Mourinho made a triple change, bringing Ronaldo, Özil and Sami Khedira into the match.

Depor held strong until the 73rd minute when Madrid cycled the ball to Kaká 20-yards away from the goal and his low show through traffic beat Daniel Aranzubía to pull Madrid even at 1-1.

With just three minutes left to play Madrid broke Depor's heart as Gonzalo Higuaín scored the match winner. Kaká started the play with a through ball to Cristiano Ronaldo on the left side. Aranzubía raced over to cover the near post but Ronaldo centered the ball into the box to a wide open Higuaín for an easy tap-in.

Just because it's not a Madrid game these days without red card, Ángel Di María was shown a second yellow card in the final minute of regular time and was sent off.

Friday, 22 February 2013

Greuther Furth v Bayer Leverkusen - The Gooners Guide

Leverkusen may be 4 point behind as Dortmund have a winnable game against Monchengladbach, but either way a win against the bottom club is the minimum that's required, with the club likely looking to pad their goal difference here too. Leverkusen have won just 4 of 11 away games, losing 4, so this gives them a chance to improve their road record. What I am encouraged by is their offence.

Bayer Leverkusen have scored 43 goals this season, making them the 3rd highest scorers in the league. In contrast, Furth have scored just 13, least in the league, and shipped 36. Their 11 home games have seen them beaten 8 times, with just 3 draws and no wins.

The reverse fixture was a 2-0 home win for Bayer Leverkusen, and I'm expecting to score at least that number of goals here again. Their last Bundesliga game was a 2-1 home win against Augsburg but either side of that they lost home and away to Benfica to crash out of the Europa League, which means we get a capable and angry team looking to take out their temper on a weaker side. Perfect spot.

Bayern Munich to Launch £40m Bid for Liverpool Striker Luis Suarez ...

Runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will launch a £40m summer bid for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez according to La Stampa.

The Bavarian side would appear to have more than enough firepower, especially when you consider last season's top scorer Mario Gomez is now warming the Allianz Arena bench, but it seems that incoming boss Pep Guardiola is taking an interest in the in-form Uruguayan.

The 25 year old is in the best form of his Liverpool career having scored 23 goals in all competitions thus far this term and is perhaps the most pivotal member of Brendan Rodgers' Anfield squad.

The Merseyside club are sure to fight off interest in the former Ajax man but if Liverpool fail to secure a Champions League berth for next term then Suarez may be more open to the possibility of a move to the German giants.

Suarez has begun to form a very effective strike partnership with January signing Daniel Sturridge and regardless of what offer is made Liverpool will surely not consider selling the forward unless he were to attempt to force the issue himself.

Bayern Munich sit top of the Bundesliga, 15 points clear of second placed Borussia Dortmund, having scored 57 goals in 22 matches. Summer signing Mario Mandzukic is successfully keeping Gomez on the bench and any move to sign Suarez would surely only be an option if Guardiola was looking to offload one of his two main striking options.

Michael Laudrup cools Real Madrid boss rumours | The Sun |Sport ...

The Swansea manager believes it would be insulting to his current club and could prove a distraction for his players ahead of their Capital One Cup final.

Laudrup's success with the Swans — who are in the top half of the Premier League — has inevitably seen him linked with Jose Mourinho's job at the Bernabeu.

But Laudrup, a hugely-respected former Real Madrid player, said: "This is not the time to talk about what lies in the future for anyone.

"We are only days from one of the most important days in this club's history. To talk about anything else would be reckless."

Link: AO Xanthi - Veria FC [Live Football]

Inter Milan experience Tottenham Europa Category wrap .

Inter saw off Romania area Cluj with a straightforward 5-0 mixture win, while Spurs developed after whipping Lyon 3-2 over two legs. The 2 sides last achieved in the Champions League team stages in 2010, with Gareth Bale the star of the show in both matches. And Inter manager Andrea Stramaccioni said: aTheyare a high side, at Champions League amount, but weare Inter and weall display what weare about.a Stramaccioni was delighted with his side's performance to attain the last-16. He added: aAside from the knocks, my group gave a fantastic result. "We are winning again traveling a' anything wead not done in a while a and winning well. aWas there a confident impact? Letas say we were upset and smarting following the 4-1 defeat against Fiorentina. "We knew that wasnat the actual us in Florence. We lost defense Andrea Ranocchia to damage, on a poor note. "I however havenat got any information on how he is but this is some thing we're able to did without, therefore weare rather unfortunate.a

More Info: FC Ingolstadt 04 - SG Dynamo Dresden [Live Football]

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Houston Plan Commission grants lighted soccer field at Ursuline...

Update at 5:20 p.m.:AUrsuline fans encourage as plan fee votes 14-1 to accept lighted area. Initial item at 4:27 p.m.: City Hall reporter Rudolph Bush is at the assembly of the Dallas Plan Commission, which can be contemplating a from Ursuline Academy for permission to put in a lighted football field at the institution. Rudy will report an update as soon as thereas a judgment from the Program Commission. For the time being, he sent this photograph of the packed (well, almost packed) chambers. It is possible to read his history out of this morning for background on the problem. And his tweets can be followed by you from the meeting at @DallasPolitics. . Bookmark the .

More Info: FC Austria Wien - FC Admira [Live Football]

Schneier on Security: Fixing Soccer Matches

Right now, Dan Tan's programmers are busy reverse-engineering the safeguards of online betting houses. About $3 billion is wagered on sports every day, most of it on soccer, most of it in Asia. That's a lot of noise on the big exchanges. We can exploit the fluctuations, rig the bets in a way that won't trip the houses' alarms. And there are so many moments in a soccer game that could swing either way. All you have to do is see an Ilves tackle in the box where maybe the Viikingit forward took a dive. It happens all the time. It would happen anyway. So while you're running around the pitch in Finland, the syndicate will have computers placing high-volume max bets on whatever outcome the bosses decided on, using markets in Manila that take bets during games, timing the surges so the security bots don't spot anything suspicious. The exchanges don't care, not really. They get a cut of all the action anyway. The system is stacked so it's gamblers further down the chain who bear all the risks.

Link: Central Coast Mariners - Melbourne Victory [Live Football]

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Strategy v Bayern Munich - JG Critique|Latest News|Junior...

Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League link. You will find out more about our opponents below. Bayern Munich Full name: FC Bayern MAnchenManager: Jupp HeynckesClub colours: Red t-shirts, red pants, red socksNickname( s ):Die Bayern, FCB Three details about Bayern Munich: Bastian Schweinsteiger Bayern MunichSTAR MANBastian SchweinsteigerThe 28-year-old, formerly a, has been transformed into among the most readily useful main midfielders in world soccer. Blessed with perspective, guile and a opportunity, the experienced German international will need to be closed down quickly in midfield. 'Weave got some very nice talent in that dressing room, itas only exactly about putting that into one pan'

Link: Qatar SC - Lekhwia [Live Football]