Chelsea cleared to make Frank Ribery bid as £45m France star refuses to sign new Bayern Munich contract

Bayern Munich will listen to offers for Franck Ribery after it emerged that the France star has ruled out signing a new contract with the German giants.

The 26-year-old's agent has given Chelsea the green light to follow up their interest in the winger following categorical denials that Ribery had already signed an agreement to go to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness says it would be 'fiscally irresponsible' to hold on to the former Marseille star beyond the summer unless a contract extension is agreed.

Hoeness has been determined to tie his star player to the club, but Ribery admits he has no plans to get around the table with his employers and is prepared to see his deal run down and leave for nothing in 18 months.

His agent Alain Migliaccio said: 'Ribery will not renew with Bayern. Either he will complete his contract or he will go somewhere else at the end of the season.'

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a huge admirer of Ribery and is prepared to bankroll a £45million deal.

However, Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti says he is reluctant to do deal in January and may wait until the summer, despite the risk of FIFA's transfer ban being invoked if an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport fails in the next few months.

Reports in Germany this week suggested that Arjen Robben's summer move from Real Madrid to Bayern was the first instalment of a £50m deal to see Ribery go the other way in 2010. However, both clubs denied an agreement existed.

Manchester City and Manchester United may also revive their interest.


Dismissed: There was no conspiracy behind Arjen Robben's move to Bayern Munich

source: dailymail

Everton suspend Jo after loan striker flies back to Brazil without permission

Disciplined: Everton striker Jo (left) has been suspended by the club


Everton have suspended on-loan striker Jo for a breach of club discipline.
The Brazil international angered boss David Moyes by flying back to Brazil on a family matter without the permission of the club.

Jo will not be considered for the FA Cup third round visit of Carlisle United on Saturday and Moyes suggested the on-loan Manchester City forward could have played his last game for the club.

Moyes said: 'Jo went back to Brazil without permission from the football club. He is now back but is suspended at the present time.

'I am disappointed. We like Jo, he has been a really good lad and we have enjoyed having him.

'But there has to be discipline at all football clubs. He left over a busy period when we were short of players. I found it very difficult so he is suspended from the club.'

Asked if it was short-term measure, Moyes said: 'At the moment - it might change in the future - but at the moment it is.'

Jo's future at Goodison Park had already been in doubt because of a disappointing run of form.

It has been suggested that Moyes would not be averse to cutting short Jo's season-long loan deal and sending him back to Eastlands.

CSKA Moscow are interested in taking him back to the club where he gained a reputation as a clinical finisher.


Under fire: Jo has been performing badly on and off the pitch


His 44 goals in 77 games for the Russians caught the eye of Manchester City, who paid a then club record £19m to take him to Eastlands 18 months ago.

However, he struggled to impress for City and ran into trouble with boss Mark Hughes for indiscipline. Jo was fined for a nightclub visit in November 2008 and subsequently shipped out to Everton for the second half of last season.

Moyes renewed the link for this season, but Jo, who has been struggling with a knee injury, has scored just two goals in 24 appearances on his second spell.

Earlier this week, before Jo's ill discipline came to light, his agent Giuliano Bertolucci admitted that the player's future at Goodison Park was in doubt.

'With regard to Everton, nothing is clear,' said Bertolucci. 'We haven't spoken about extending the loan or the club buying him from Manchester City.'

CKSA desperately want to add a forward this winter and would be interested in a loan deal with a view to an £11m permanent deal.


source: dailymail

PICTURE SPECIAL: David Beckham arrives at AC Milan with all GUNS blazing

By Sportsmail Reporter

Training: Beckham is put through his paces alongside Mathieu Flamini and Clarence Seedorf (above), after earlier arriving at the complex in northern Italy


David Beckham flew into Italy yesterday to rejoin AC Milan as Fabio Capello confirmed that if he is fit he will be in England's World Cup squad.

The England manager's vote of confidence came as Beckham arrived by private jet for medical checks at the Milanello training ground - where he was met by an armed security guard.

Beckham, 34, was at the Serie A giants for three months earlier this year but will now remain with them until the end of the season.

Italian job: Beckham is greeted by staff members at the club
In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, Capello said: 'If Beckham plays (in Milan) and if he is fit I will certainly take him to South Africa. I don't look at players' ages but at their qualities.
'He is serious, a great professional and he is really dedicated to making the World Cup.'
Beckham's first game in Italy is expected to be against either Genoa at home next Wednesday or away against Juventus four days later.





Icon: Beckham arrived in Milan looking typically stylish before driving himself into the city about 25miles away


In his interview, Capello says he is delighted the Premier League now has three Italian managers - Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, Roberto Mancini at Manchester City and Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.

He said: 'It's the result of good work at the Coverciano (Italian football training camp) school. it's a badge of honour for our football.'

But he went on to praise football in England, saying: 'The Premier League is the most interesting and enchanting in the world. There are particular aromas. There are full grounds, safety, beauty and a lack of stupidity.

'In Italy we always make the same mistakes - managing the grounds and with the violent fans. We don't solve our problems.'


AC/DB: Beckham hopes his spell with Milan will earn him a place at the World Cup



source: dailymail

Craig Bellamy committed to Manchester City as striker backs new manager Roberto Mancini

By Sportsmail Reporter

Perfect start: Bellamy and Mancini shake hands after the win over Stoke


Craig Bellamy has ruled out a move away from Manchester City and insists new manager Roberto Mancini has his full support.

The Welsh striker has been linked with a move away from City in the January transfer window but he has dismissed claims that the exit of his countryman Mark Hughes will have any impact on his future at Eastlands.

Hughes was dismissed by City nine days ago, and former Inter Milan boss Mancini has taken his place, beginning his tenure with a 2-0 win over Stoke.

Bellamy began that match on the bench but insists he wants to play for Mancini and help City achieve their targets.

He told the Daily Mirror: 'I want to stay and I am going to stay. I am committed to that. I am committed to Man City.

'I have bought into the idea of where Man City is going to go and I am a huge part of where it is at this stage.

'I have no problem with Mancini. It's not his problem he's here. What happened to Mark Hughes has got nothing to do with him.

'I hope Mancini will stay for a long time because I am from the mould of thinking stability is the key to success. I hope he gets a number of years to do it and, as long as I last, I will give my all for him.'


source: dailymail

Smith and South Africa rattled as England stick to their slow Trott in Durban

By Paul Newman

Leisurely stroll: England's Jonathan Trott takes his time against South Africa in Durban


Jonathan Trott took some ever-so-measured steps on Sunday towards making another big impact on this series and, at the same time, got right up South Africa’s noses.

Trott has been welcomed back with open arms to the country of his birth, certainly relative to the treatment still meted out here to team-mate Kevin Pietersen

Leisurely stroll: England's Jonathan Trott takes his time against South Africa in Durban

Yet he is in danger of turning himself into home captain Graeme Smith’s new bete noire with his precise and, South Africa insist, calculated routine of keeping bowlers waiting before he is ready to face up.

He was at it again on Sunday at a pivotal moment of this second Test when, after Andrew Strauss had launched a gung-ho counter-attack, he arrived at his own snail’s pace to repel Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Paul Harris until bad light ended the second day prematurely under the full glare of the Kingsmead floodlights.

Trott, who painstakingly makes his mark and takes guard several times, survived to see England through to 103 for one in reply to South Africa’s 343 but has incurred the wrath of his old mate Smith and, if South Africa have anything to do with it, umpires Aleem Dar and Ameish Saheba.


Captain Marvel: England skipper Andrew Strauss smashed a quickfire half ton on day two in Durban


‘It’s getting pretty frustrating but it’s something we’re dealing with,’ said South Africa batsman AB de Villiers. ‘The umpires are aware of our feelings and I think we’re at the point where it may get him into trouble. It affects the bowlers’ rhythms. Smithy has had a word with Trott and I think he’s listening.’

That remains a contentious point. Trott, who is clearly happy to ruffle some illustrious feathers, has cocked a deaf ear to South African grumbling so far and may feel that if he gets under their skin he is doing his job.

Certainly the way he twice unfurled a classic cover drive in his unbeaten 17 suggests that he is continuing to be calm and unhurried at the crease.

‘He’s always taken his time, which I can vouch for having shouted abuse at him from slip in county cricket,’ said spinner Graeme Swann, who was again England’s top wicket-taker in conditions that should have suited the seamers far more.

‘I can understand South Africa’s frustration but I don’t think he’s taking too long. It’s just that it’s been highlighted now and everyone is looking for it.’

Trott’s go-slow was the final twist in another absorbing chapter in the ‘game of chess’ England selector Ashley Giles rightly predicted this series would become.


Swann in: Graeme Swann is congratulated after taking his fourth wicket


The disappointingly small crowd of 7,000 or so, who turned up to watch the second day under leaden Durban skies, saw South Africa score at least 50 more than England would have hoped when they resumed on 175 for five, thanks to an impressive last-wicket assault on Swann by Dale Steyn.

But they then watched Strauss repair the late damage inflicted on his bowlers with a magisterial array of strokes against wayward South Africa bowling. His dominance seemed certain to bring a second consecutive Test century at Kingsmead until Morkel came round the wicket to conquer him.

England at last made the decision review system work for them, after four squandered calls in Centurion, when Swann successfully overturned Saheba’s decision to rule Mark Boucher not out.


The real Dale: South African paceman Dale Steyn thumps another boundary on the way to his swashbuckling 47


But then it backfired yet again when Hawk-Eye’s ‘infallible’ eye confirmed the judgment of Dar and Saheba to uphold not out decisions against De Villiers and Morkel. That meant that when Indian official Saheba ruled Makhaya Ntini not out playing no stroke to Swann at the start of South Africa’s last-wicket stand of 58, England had no recourse to the technology that would almost certainly have vindicated their review. It would cost them dearly.

So brutal was Steyn’s assault on Swann that he smashed him for three long sixes and, when Jimmy Anderson tried to end his fun, Steyn cut him off the back foot for four with the execution of a specialist batsman.


Gloomy Sunday: The floodlights were on throughout much of the day's play at Kingsmead


In such conditions, South Africa’s score was worth at least 50 more, but Strauss so dominated his opening stand with Alastair Cook that he reached his 50 while his under-pressure partner had jogged along to eight.


South Africa coach Mickey Arthur had ‘harsh words’ with his bowlers during a half-hour break for bad light and drizzle, and when they returned Morkel produced a beauty to castle Strauss and bring Trott, slowly, to the crease.

Just as happy to be there with Trott at the close was Cook who, while becoming the youngest Englishman to play 50 Tests at 25 years and one day, desperately needs a big score here.

Cook may have started slowly but he quietly found his feet and launched Harris for four over cow corner with his new slog-sweep shot that he experimented with in one-day cricket for Essex last summer. He remains in situ on 31 and on Monday needs to convert that score into his first half century - and more - in 11 Tests.

South Africa’s biggest worry comes in the form of Ntini, controversially preferred here to Friedel de Wet - the star of the home side’s late push for victory in Centurion.

Ntini is looking more and more a spent force. He managed just three expensive overs - Strauss striking him for three fours in four balls - before being banished to the boundary. Ntini’s continued place in the side is going to come under increasing scrutiny, even if he is just 10 short of 400 Test wickets.

source: dailymail

Michael Schumacher back in Formula One after sealing incredible return with Mercedes

I'm back: Michael Schumacher will line up for Mercedes next year


Legend Michael Schumacher has sealed a sensational return to Formula One.

The German superstar has signed a £7million, one-year contract with Mercedes.

However, Schumacher has indicated his return could last as long as three years.

'We are talking about a three-year deal,' he said. 'It's not just a one-off thing.

We are talking about continuation.'

Schumacher, who retired from the sport in 2006, will line up alongside fellow countryman Nico Rosberg for the 2010 season.

The motor-racing legend has signed a one-year contract to drive in 2010 with Mercedes GP, ending three years in retirement.

The announcement comes 11 days ahead of Schumacher's 41st birthday on January 3, easily making him the oldest driver in next year's championship.

Schumacher said: 'The motivation is pretty straightforward. I got a call from Ross Brawn at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved.

'I've never left the race track, and after three years I regained the energy I'm feeling now. After playing around on motorbikes, I'm ready for the serious stuff.'

Schumacher was poised to make a comeback with Ferrari in the summer to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa, but had to back out because of a neck injury which he now insists is not a problem.


Red hot: Schumacher became a legend during his time at Ferrari


'Before giving the final okay, I had to make sure my neck was okay,' he said. 'It wasn't okay in the summer, but it's had the time to heal completely.'

Asked if he was worried about putting his reputation on the line by returning, Schumacher replied: 'I hope they will judge me on what I've done before.

'Brawn is a team that won both championships last year, they now have a strong partner in Mercedes, so the only aim is to go for the championship.'

Schumacher revealed that he had consulted wife Corinna on his comeback . 'I had to sort out my personal situation before entering this new one,' hesaid. 'She could see the spark in my eyes, and so she didn't really argue.'


The news finally ends the speculation that has surrounded the German over the past few weeks since the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in early November.

Schumacher was seen in talks with Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche and Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn in the paddock of the Yas Marina circuit.

Just a fortnight later, Mercedes had taken over Brawn and new world champion Jenson Button was on his way to McLaren.

That further opened the door for Schumacher, the most decorated man in F1 history, with the rumours intensifying.

For Schumacher, a seed was sown in August when he proved to himself in driving a 2007-spec Ferrari that he still retained the necessary speed, stamina and reflexes to again drive at the highest level.

That was in preparation for a return with Ferrari as president Luca di Montezemolo had convinced him the team's need was great in the wake of Felipe Massa's horrific accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However, during a bike test in Spain in February as Schumacher attempted to prove his prowess on two wheels, he suffered a neck injury that prevented him from competing in the European Grand Prix in Valencia.


Dedication: Schumacher has was ultra-disciplined during his career

Despite the setback, and given his natural racing instinct has never deserted him since his final grand prix in Brazil in 2006, Schumacher is understood to have maintained a punishing fitness regime.

According to manager Willi Weber he is now 'super fit', with his neck offering no lingering problems.

Schumacher has also now severed the ties that have binded him to Ferrari since he joined the team in 1996. Di Montezemolo recently paved the way for his exit when he confirmed earlier this month he would not hold Schumacher to his contract as advisor to the team and ambassador for their road car division.

Schumacher's return sees him again join forces with Brawn, the Mercedes GP team principal, and the man who was the mastermind behind his seven titles - two with Benetton and five with Ferrari.

During his previous 16 seasons in the sport, incorporating 249 grands prix, Schumacher managed to break virtually every record. He has won the most world titles; most race victories (91); most pole positions (68); highest number of wins in one season (13 in 2004); number of consecutive podiums (19); wins from pole (40); fastest laps (76); hat-trick of pole, win, fastest lap (22), and most number of consecutive results in the points (24)


source: dailymail

Snowboard Round-Up: Guy Gear

By Ken Galloway
Gear Correspondent

Greetings, powder fans, and welcome to the dawn of a beautiful snowboarding season.

Some of us have been staying in shape by skateboarding all summer, while others have prepared for the cold by packing on beer weight. But whatever form your off-season training has taken, the time to shred the gnar-gnar is nigh -- and spirits are high.

As an offering to the snow gods, we’ve compiled a list of 2010’s top snowboards. Big bad Burton’s product line reigns supreme once again, but Burton’s brand of excellence always comes with a hefty price tag. So, when considering this list of 2010 snowboards, we placed quality as first priority, but value as a distant second.

Happy trails, my dear snow-bro-ders, and enjoy these 2010 snowboards.

2010 Snowboard Round-Up: Guy Gear

Burton Joystick (Powder Board)
The most significant innovation in snowboard construction over the last few years has been the “reverse camber” shape first introduced by Lib Tech, and quickly copied by everyone else. By constructing the board to sit on the snow more like a teeter-totter than a flat plank, the shape makes it easier for beginners to initiate turns, makes trick landings more forgiving, gives the board a skateboardier energy, and, most importantly, allows the board to effortlessly float on powder.

Love it or hate it, Burton stole the idea, called it “V-Rocker” technology and perfected it in the Joystick. So succumb to the dark side or support Lib Tech like a nice little Jedi.

Retail price: $499.95



Ride DH2 (Freestyle)
The key word here is “pop” (pronounced “pahp!”), and this board is oozing with the magical stuff. Its “LowRize” shape is very similar to the reverse-camber shape, but its biggest selling point is how snappy it is in all the right places.

This 2010 snowboard feels a little stiffer than many park boards, but this is largely due to the “Pop Stixs” inserts in the nose and tail that give you that little bit of extra energy when popping off the snow. This extra stiffness also makes it more versatile outside the park.

Retail price: $499.99



Burton Method (Freeride Board)
Freeriding is about milking the mountain for everything it has, and this involves a lot of hiking. Thankfully, Burton has come through with a board that is 30% lighter than the Burton Vapor, which used to be the lightest snowboard on the market.

The Method’s superior lightness comes from its “Alumasuperfly” woven aluminum core (which also gives it great pop), and its titanium rails provide the board with epic edge-hold, but also provide the board with an epic price tag.

Retail price: $1,300



Rome Artifact (Urban/Jib Board)
Urban/jib-focused snowboarding has quickly gone from being a weirdo niche market to being a large part of what many proriders focus on, and this 2010 snowboard was designed specifically to withstand this unique brand of punishment.

The board features buttery brass rails, which are actually softer than the lightweight flexy core. This means that the edges will resist cracking, and will also deflect damage away from the precious core when hitting kinked rails.

The board also has the reverse-camber shape that all the kids are demanding these days. Use this board on a straightaway and you’ll get schooled, but take it to the rails and you’ll be a champ.

Retail price: $370



Ride Prophet (Boardercross Board)
Boardercross snowboards are designed to go really fast, while handling bumps, jumps and banks in stride. This is why the Prophet is built long and stiff, with a high-centered base, and with “slimewalls,” which are designed to act as shock absorbers against edge-chattering. (No reverse camber here -- just curses from ski-patrol to slow down.)

Because this category of board is much less popular than trick-oriented boards, there are still quite a few Prophets from last year floating around. If cash is a little tight, we recommend purchasing one of them instead of a 2010 model, as the difference between the two models is hardly noticeable.

Retail price: $479.99


source: askmen.com

Can Golf Survive Without Tiger Woods? And Vice Versa?

The Masters, 2005
After a three year drought, Tiger Woods storming back at Augusta in 2005, defeating American Chris DiMarco in a playoff round. Jamie Squire / Getty

For years, we watched him fight. Tiger Woods was the guy with the icy stare, and pumping fists; the guy with a broken leg who beat Rocco Mediate. The most astounding aspect of the Tiger Woods scandal, besides the sheer number of alleged infidelities, and the swift shattering of a man's manufactured character, is how he has taken it all sitting down. Amazingly, each and every day has gotten worse: humiliating text messages, allegations of bedding porn stars and prostitutes. And amazingly, Woods never punched back, leaving reasonable people to wonder whether it's all true. Now, employing the media spinmeister's trick of dumping news late on Friday afternoon, Woods has admitted to "infidelity" (ah, that's what he meant by his original confession of "transgressions"), and announced on his website that he's going to stop playing golf for awhile. Tiger is in retreat. The fight will come another day — if at all.

When will Woods play again? If he's true to his word, and he is indeed taking this indefinite leave to save his family, he might not tee up for a very long time. He clearly has a lot of work ahead of him. Tiger's absence is a horrendous development for golf. In a down economy, the sport is already hurting for sponsors. Without Woods, they won't come rushing through the ropes. But Tiger's decision is not the death-knell many might suspect. Yes, golf ratings often get sliced in half when Woods doesn't play in a tournament. But don't be surprised if a curious audience chooses to sample golf next year in higher numbers than expected.

First off, viewers might tune in to see how the networks handle Tiger's absence. Will an announcer like NBC's Johnny Miller, not known for pulling punches, be candid about Tiger's off-course woes? What will other players have to say? Or will the networks just choose to ignore the scandal? That would be a silly strategy because: 1) the golf audience is not stupid ;and 2) the golf media now really has no reason to fear Tiger's wrath. In the past, the networks needed Woods way more than he needed them. Now, Tiger can use all the help he can get. He's in no position to throw media fits upon returning to the tee. (Read more... )


source: Time.com

Caught short: Germany's number one goalkeeper takes a toilet break mid-match

Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was lucky to get away with apparently taking a toilet break during a Champions League match.

The former Germany international leapt over the advertising hoardings and appeared to relieve himself just before half-time while play was still going on at the other end of the field.

Luckily for Lehmann, Romanian visitors Unirea Urziceni did not manage to launch an attack towards the vacated goal.

Even more fortunately, referee Viktor Kassai did not notice.

Since Lehmann left the field without permission, he should have been shown the yellow card for his actions, regardless of whether he urinated or not.
But Stuttgart's director of sport Horst Heldt told the Bild newspaper afterwards: 'It reminds me a lot of the Tour de France - sometimes you don't have any other possibility but to let it out.'


Desperate: Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann feels the call of nature (left) during a Champions League game against Romanian side Unirea Urziceni, so vaults over the advertising board for a spot of privacy (right)


He added: 'He did it very expertly. He could have waited until half-time.'
When asked to confirm whether he had been caught short, Lehmann only smiled and said: 'I was more nervous than I have been for a long time.'
Stuttgart already led 3-0 during Wednesday night's match when Lehmann vacated his goal momentarily and they went on to win 3-1 to qualify for the last 16 of the competition.


source: dailymail.co.uk

Steven Gerrard shows off two young daughters to Liverpool crowd before Champions League defeat (perhaps they should have played)

Steven Gerrard with daughters Lexie and Lilly-Ella ahead of his UEFA Champion's League match at Anfield yesterday


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard took the unusual step of parading his two young children on the football field last night.
Lilly-Ella, 5, and Lexie, 3, were dressed in Liverpool kit and joined their father on the pitch before the Champions League match with Italian side Fiorentina.
But if the England star hoped the cute little girls would bring him luck in the game he was sadly mistaken - the Anfield side lost 2-1 to add humiliation to their elimination

But the night will still be a memorable one for proud mother Alex Curran, who was watching from the sidelines.

The five-time European champions are now heading for the Europa League, where they could even end up playing local rivals Everton.
Liverpool have now won only three of their last 14 games in all competitions,
and their fans have not seen them win at Anfield since October 25.
Afterwards, Gerrard spoke of his disappointment, saying: 'As a club because we want to stay in the big competitions. We've not been good enough, it's as simple as that.'


Gerrard's team went down 2-1 against Italian club Fiorentina

Gerrard, who has played more than 350 times for his home town club over the past 11 seasons, now has to concentrate on firing Liverpool back up the table and into the top four qualifying positions for the Champions League.
That starts with a massive match this Sunday at home to Arsenal.
Gerrard has suffered a difficult year and admitted in court that he had punched a man repeatedly in a bar during a drunken row over music.
He was cleared of a charge of affray in July on the grounds that he had acted in self-defence but his season so far has been blighted with injury, which fans believe is a major cause for their club's stunning decline.

His wife Alex Curran came along to offer her support

source: dailymail.co.uk

NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium December 6, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 6: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals fights to break free from Louis Delmas #26 of the Detroit Lions in their NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium December 6, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.







CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 6: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals fights to break free from Marvin White #25 of the Detroit Lions in their NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium December 6, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.



CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 6: Casey FitzSimmons #82 of the Detroit Lions fights to break free from Keith Rivers #55 of the Cincinnati Bengals in their NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium December 6, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.


photo: Gettyimages

Table tennis mixed doubles semifinal match at the East Asian Games

Japan's Seiya Kishikawa and Kasumi Ishikawa (L) play Hong Kong's Tang Peng and Jiang Huajun (not pictured) during their table tennis mixed doubles semifinal match at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 6, 2009.





Hong Kong's Jiang Huajun and Tang Peng (not pictured) play Japan's Seiya Kishikawa and Kasumi Ishikawa (not pictured) during their table tennis mixed doubles semifinal match at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 6, 2009.


photo: Reuters

Europa League Group E soccer match, at Rome's Olympic stadium

AS Roma Brazilian midfielder Taddei , right, and FC Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri in action during their Europa League Group E soccer match, at Rome's Olympic stadium, Thursday Dec. 3, 2009.







AS Roma Brazilian midfielder Julio Baptista, left, and FC Basel defender David Abraham of Argentina vie for the ball during their Europa League Group E soccer match, at Rome's Olympic stadium, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.



AS Roma forward Mirko Vucinic, of Montenegro, second from right, is hugged by teammate Philippe Mexes, of France, after scoring during a Europa League Group E soccer match between AS Roma and FC Basel, at Rome's Olympic stadium, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.


photo: AP

Hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.

Yang Soo-hyuk, from South Korea (11) scores a goal against Germany during their match at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. South Korea won 5-2.






Yoon Sung-hoon from South Korea and Tobias Hawke from Germany collide during their match at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. South Korea won 5-2.



Nam Hyun-woo (13) from South Korea celebrates a goal against Germany during their game at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. South Korea won the game 5-2.



Philip White from Germany gets the ball away from South Korean players Yang Soo-kyuk and Kim Young-Jin during their match at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. South Korea won the game 5-2.


credit photo: AP

Michael Chang: No male tennis great for Asia, unless there's proper coaching

Michael Chang, onetime world No. 2, offers pointers on the lackluster tennis scene in Asia

"You can work really hard, but if you're not training in the right way you're not going to improve and get to the level that you want to," said Chang at a press conference in Hong Kong yesterday.

Asia won’t be getting its own male tennis great anytime soon, former world No. 2 Michael Chang said yesterday – not unless they find better coaches.

“Tennis is relatively new in the Asia Pacific region. It’s not that easy for some of these players in China to get the coaching that they need. Nearly all of these Chinese girls that have had success have had coaching from foreign coaches,” said Chang in a telephone interview.

That’s eight Asian women ranked among the world’s top 100, versus one man: Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun, at No. 96.

Li Na, the highest-ranking Asian woman in tennis at world no. 15In a game that conspicuously lacks male Asian faces, Chang blazed a trail that no other Asian player could match since.

Chang was the youngest-ever male Grand Slam winner by taking the French Open title in 1989 at just 17. He was the first Chinese player to win the French Open and the first American to win since 1955. To this day, Chang remains the 10th top earner in pro tennis.

The only one who came close was onetime world No.9, Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan. But he dropped out due to wrist injury a few years ago.

Chang was speaking at a press conference for Hong Kong Tennis Classic, an exhibition tournament that mixes retired male players with active female pros and starts from January 6 next year. Apart from Michael Chang, stars that will volley at Victoria Park’s courts include the just-retired Marat Safin, tennis bombshell Maria Sharapova, and Danish wunderkind Caroline Wozniacki.


source: CNNGO.com

Beckham pledges future to L.A. Galaxy

(CNN) -- David Beckham has pledged his future to the Los Angeles Galaxy and says that victory in Sunday's MLS Cup final against Real Salt Lake would rank alongside other career achievements such as winning the Champions League with Manchester United.

The English midfielder's future in the U.S. had appeared in doubt earlier in the season when his commitment was called into question following a loan spell with AC Milan during which he had indicated an apparent desire to continue playing in Italy.

In July Beckham had to be restrained by security guards during a match as he attempted to confront Galaxy fans who had been jeering him. But Beckham's fortunes have been turned around by the Galaxy's run through the playoffs to Sunday's championship match in Seattle.

The 34-year-old is due to return to Milan in January for another loan spell as he bids to secure a place in England's World Cup squad for next year's finals in South Africa. But he told CNN there was "no chance whatsoever" that he wouldn't return to Los Angeles.

"I am committed to the Galaxy for five years. I am committed to the MLS because I've said I want to be an ambassador and bring this game to a higher level. I have always honored whatever contract I've got," Beckham said.

"Once I've been in Milan and hopefully been part of the World Cup I'll be coming back to the MLS and to the Galaxy to start playing again."

Beckham said that playing in Sunday's final ranked alongside winning the Primera Liga title with Real Madrid in 2003 and a trophy-laden spell at Manchester United that included six English Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League crown.

"Anytime you reach a certain part of the season, whether it's being in a cup final or winning leagues, it's always special," Beckham said. "Being involved in finals never gets old."


source: Cnn.com