2007/08 UEFA Cup: Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Bayern Munich

Zenit Saint Petersburg win 5–1 on aggregate.

Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg booked their place in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup Final with a victory over Germans Bayern Munich, 4-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.

Pavel Pogrebnyak opened the scoring after five minutes, and Konstatin Zyrianov doubled Zenit's lead six minutes before half-time.

Viktor Fayzulin made it three eleven minutes into the second half, and Pavel Pogrebnyak completed the rout with seventeen minutes left.

Despite scoring two goals, Pogrebnyak received a yellow card and, as a result, will miss the final.

Zenit Saint Petersburg will meet Scottish club Rangers in the final, which will be held in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2008. Rangers were formerly managed by Zenit's current boss Dick Advocaat.


Für den FC Bayern München ist das UEFA-Cup-Halbfinale Endstation

Sankt Petersburg (Russland) / Glasgow (Schottland), 03.05.2008 – Am Donnerstag, den 1. Mai spielte der FC Bayern München im UEFA-Cup Halbfinale gegen Zenit St. Petersburg. Das Team von Trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld verpasste dabei den Einzug ins Finale durch eine 0:4-(0:2-)Niederlage. Vor einer Woche  hatten sich beide Teams beim Hinspiel in München 1:1 getrennt. Zenit St. Petersburg trifft nun im Finale am 14. Mai in Manchester auf die Glasgow Rangers.

In der vierten Minute brachte Pawel Pogrebnjak die Gastgeber von Trainer Dick Advocaat in Führung, Konstantin Syrjanow erhöhte in der 39. Minute zum 2:0-Pausenstand. Vor 21.500 Zuschauern im ausverkauften Petrowski-Stadion errang St. Petersburg einen klaren Sieg. In der 53. Minute traf Wiktor Faisulin, und Pogrebnjak erzielte in der 73. Minute seinen zweiten Treffer. Für das Endspiel ist nach einer Gelben Karte Goalgetter gesperrt.

Ottmar Hitzfeld sagte nach dem Spiel: „Wir haben heute sicherlich eine katastrophale Leistung gebracht und uns den Schneid abkaufen lassen. Die Mannschaft hat trotzdem alles versucht, aber es gibt so Tage, da macht man die Chancen nach vorne nicht. Auf internationalem Niveau darf man nicht solche Abwehrfehler machen wie wir. International waren wir nicht so stark wie in der Bundesliga.“

Luca Toni kommentierte: „Wir müssen uns eigentlich bei den Fans entschuldigen. Das war das schlechteste Spiel, an das ich mich erinnern kann.“

Philipp Lahm äußerte sich wie folgt: „Es ist schwer, nach so einem Spiel Worte zu finden. Insgesamt war das zu wenig, wir kriegen zu einfache Tore. Wir hatten in der Saison sehr gute Spiele, man darf jetzt nicht alles schlecht reden. Aber heute haben wir schlecht gespielt und sind verdient ausgeschieden.“

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stellte fest: „Man muss anerkennen, das St. Petersburg ein super Spiel abgeliefert hat. Und man darf nicht vergessen, dass die russische Meisterschaft gerade erst angefangen hat, während unsere Mannschaft so ziemlich auf dem Zahnfleisch daherkommt. Wir haben zwei Titel gewonnen, daher kann die Mannschaft erhobenen Hauptes die Saison beenden.“

Die Glasgow Rangers siegten nach 120. Minuten durch Elfmeterschießen gegen AC Florenz mit 4:2. Nach 120. Minuten stand es 0:0. Die klar bessere Mannschaft war der AC Florenz.


Coupe de l'UEFA 2007-2008 : Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg - Bayern Munich

Le club russe du Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg vient de se qualifier pour la finale de la coupe de l'UEFA en battant les Allemands du Bayern Munich par 4 buts à 0, soit 5-1 sur les deux rencontres (aller et retour).

Pavel Pogrebnyak a ouvert le score après 5 minutes de jeu, et Konstatin Zyrianov a doublé l'avance du Zénith six minutes avant la mi-temps. Viktor Fayzulin a rajouté un but à la marque onze minutes après le début de la seconde mi-temps, et Pavel Pogrebnyak a clos le score dix-sept minutes après. Bien qu'ayant marqué deux buts, Pavel Pogrebnyak a reçu un carton jaune, et sera par conséquent privé de la finale.
Le Zénith jouera sa finale le 14 mai 2008 à Manchester, en Angleterre.


«Зенит» — «Бавария» 4:0, «Зенит» в финале Кубка УЕФА

Петербургский футбольный клуб «Зенит», обыграв мюнхенскую «Баварию» со счётом 4:0, вышел в финал Кубка УЕФА, который состоится на стадионе «Сити оф Манчестер» в английском Манчестере.

Павел Погребняк, забивший 2 мяча в ворота баварской команды, пропустит финал из-за перебора предупреждений.

Соперником «Зенита» будет шотландский «Рейнджерс», обыгравший итальянскую «Фиорентину» по пенальти со счётом 4:2 (сам матч закончился нулевой ничьёй).

Дик Адвокат, тренер «Зенита»:

Оттмар Хитцфельд, тренер «Баварии»:

1 мая 2008 года


2008 Olympic Games officially open

Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games

Witnessed by at least 90,000 spectators, the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games was held at the National Stadium — nicknamed "Bird's Nest" — in Beijing China this evening. The ceremony began at 8:00 p.m. local time (12:00 noon UTC) with two thousand and eight ancient Chinese percussion instruments called "Fou", each controlled by a young man. The first greeting message was a Confucius' saying, "How Happy We Are, To Meet Friends From Afar", which the percussionists chanted.

204 teams from over the world marched into the stadium. In Olympic tradition, Greece entered first and China appeared last — the originating country and the host country, respectively. The other 202 teams were welcomed, ordered by the count of strokes to write the team name in Chinese characters.

There were several performances, including a 100+ member troupe of Taiwanese dancers and Chinese pop group A-One. There were also solo performances by Lang Lang, Sarah Brightman, and Liu Huan.


Megkezdődtek a XXIX. nyári olimpiai játékok

Pekingben ma megkezdődött a XXIX. nyári olimpia. A világ legrangosabb sporteseményét Hu Csin-tao kínai államfő nyitotta meg. A megnyitó ünnepséget  a világ televíziói, köztük a Magyar Televízió helyszíni közvetítésének segítségével becslések szerint mintegy 4 milliárd néző követhette nyomon.

A kínai fővárosban helyi idő szerint este nyolc órakor, magyar idő szerint délután két órakor kezdetét vette a  különleges megnyitó ünnepség. A Madárfészeknek nevezett olimpiai stadionban a színes gálaműsort 91 ezer néző csodálhatta meg. Kínai és külföldi államférfiak mellett a nézők között foglalt helyet többek között Jacques Rogge, a Nemzetközi Olimpiai Bizottság (NOB) vezetője és a most nyolcvannyolc éves Juan Antonio Samaranch, a NOB örökös tiszteletbeli elnöke is.

A nagy tömegeket mozgató, gondosan kidolgozott, látványos jelenetek a több ezer éves kínai kultúra néhány nagyszerű örökségét, mint a papír és a nyomtatás feltalálását, a selyemút kialakítását elevenítették fel. A színpompás ünnepség a hagyománynak megfelelően a részt vevő nemzetek sportolóinak bevonulásával folytatódott. Sportolóink élén a magyar zászlóval kezében  Kammerer Zoltán, háromszoros olimpiai bajnok kajakos haladt. Miután megérkezett a stadionba az olimpiai láng, a megnyitó ünnepség parádés tűzijátékkal fejeződött be.


Il sacro fuoco di Olimpia arde nel cielo di Pechino: sono iniziate le Olimpiadi 2008

Il giuramento degli atleti, l'accensione del braciere, le sfilate orgogliose delle 204 nazioni partecipanti. Si apre in un clima di festa e sfarzo mai visto la XXIX Olimpiade, in una Pechino totalmente nuova, inginocchiatasi dinanzi allo spettacolo dei Giochi.

Sugli spalti del Nido d'uccello, questo il nome del nuovo Stadio Nazionale da 91.000 posti, c'è tutto il mondo, ci sono i cinesi, ci sono i leader mondiali, da Sarkozy a Bush, dai reali di Spagna e Lussemburgo al Ministro degli Esteri Franco Frattini, in rappresentanza del Governo e della Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana.

La cerimonia comincia dieci secondi prima delle 14:00 CEST, le 20:00 di Pechino, con il countdown, realizzato su due schermi che riportano i numeri con ideogrammi cinesi e con gli "occidentali" numeri arabi. Alle 8 in punto, la prima, emozionante, serie di fuochi di artificio sulle tonalità dell'arancio-rosso, che mostra tutta la maestria dei cinesi nella nobile arte pirotecnica.

Si dà inizio allo show, con 2008 percussionisti che si esibiscono in un mirabolante gioco di suoni e colori, provenienti da due barre colorate di rosso, il colore della Cina e della cerimonia di apertura. Continuano i fuochi, e grazie questa volta alla tecnologia moderna, si formano i cinque cerchi olimpici, che salgono e si stagliano nel Bird's nest. Dal cielo, con movenze angeliche, scendono venti fate, illuminate da led di mille colori.

Dopo un breve spazio concesso ai bambini, alle 14.11 fa il suo ingresso l'Esercito, che porta la bandiera cinese dinanzi alle due aste (l'altra è riservata alla bandiera olimpica); alzabandiera, inno nazionale, e conclusione della prima parte "protocollare" della cerimonia.

Dalle 14.13 alle 15.00 migliaia di attori ripercorrono in scenografie sempre più tecnologiche la gloriosa storia della più grande nazione asiatica (se si esclude la Russia, in quanto sia asiatica che europea). La scrittura, l'invenzione della stampa, i traguardi moderni, ma anche gli insegnamenti di Confucio, prendono spazio nella cerimonia.

Alle 15.00 (le 21.00 nella capitale) si eleva un globo alto 24 metri e pesante 16 tonnellate, intorno al quale girano i cinesi. Dopo due minuti, sul "Polo nord" appaiono due cantanti, che eseguono la canzone You & Me. Di nuovo fuochi d'artificio, e poi una danza, concludono la "recita", che lascia spazio, dalle 15 e 10, alla sfilata delle delegazioni delle 204 nazioni presenti.

Al termine della sfilata, e dopo un altro breve spettacolo pirotecnico, parlano Liu Qi, Jacques Rogge e Hu Jintao.

Il Presidente del Comitato organizzatore, durante il discorso prima dell'apertura dei Giochi, ha affermato:«In questo eccitante momento storico intendo estendere il mio caldo benvenuto a tutti gli allenatori, ai tecnici e agli ospiti da ogni nazione e regione del globo. Ospitare i Giochi è un sogno lungo cento anni di questa nazione. Sette anni fa un miliardo e trecento milioni di cinesi si impegnarono fortissimamente perché questo sogno diventasse realtà. Attraverso gli anni il comitato organizzatore e il popolo, sotto la guida del CIO, non hanno risparmiato sforzi per ottenere questo risultato. Dopo il terremoto del Sichuan le nazioni del mondo ci hanno inviato molti aiuti e anche questo ci ha aiutato a organizzare queste Olimpiadi. Cari amici, benvenuti a Pechino».

Jacques Rogge, nel suo discorso, ha invece parlato di doping: «Congratulazioni, Pechino. Siamo rimasti commossi dal grande coraggio e dalla solidarietà del popolo cinese. Possano questi Giochi portare solidarietà, speranza e orgoglio. Lasciate che siano i Giochi degli atleti. Rifiutate il doping e la frode, rendeteci orgogliosi del vostro comportamento e della condotta. Pechino, sei l'ospite del presente e il passaggio verso il futuro».

Hu Jintao, con un breve discorso, ha aperto ufficialmente le Olimpiadi di Pechino 2008. Alle 17 e 45, 80 bambini cantano l'inno olimpico in lingua greca, e viene alzata la bandiera delle olimpiadi, affianco a quella della Cina.

Terminato l'inno, parte la fiaccola olimpica, condotta per lo stadio da diversi atleti e l'ultimo a prenderla, si alza in volo, librandosi in aria, per camminare pian piano, sul rotolo proiettato nella parte alta dello stadio, per poi raggiungere la parte bassa del braciere, ed accendere il sacro fuoco di Olimpia.

Esplode così la festa in tutta la città, e vengono accessi i restanti fuochi d'artificio, di colori e forme varie, che dipingono il cielo notturno di Pechino. L'ultimo gruppo di fuochi, coloratissimi e numerossisimi, vengono accesi da Piazza Tienamen, illuminandola a giorno, con i tonanti finali.

La cerimonia è terminata alle 18:08 (ora italiana), 00:08 (ora di Pechino).


第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會於北京正式開幕

第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會今日於北京正式開幕，開幕式於北京時間晚上8時於俗稱「鳥巢」的國家體育場展開，現場坐滿9萬名觀眾以及各國元首政要。全球多個國家亦通過電視直播欣賞開幕式。

花費了破紀錄的400億美元，經過了長達7年的準備，於北京舉行的第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會正式展開。

開幕式於北京時間晚上8時開始，張藝謀誓任總導演，首先由2008名鼓手，打著會發光的缶，鼓手們每打一次缶，缶就會發一次光。缶起缶落，一閃一閃，構成中國及阿拉伯的數字圖案，為開幕式進行倒數。

倒數後，由北京各地從遠至近，29個腳印造型的煙花一個一個發放，象徵一步一步，直踏「鳥巢」，其間在場鼓手更大喊「有朋自遠方而來不亦樂乎」的信息，之後有大型煙花表演。

鼓手陣後，接著的表演項目是「敦煌飛仙」，穿著不同顏色服飾，以敦煌飛天造型的「敦煌飛仙」於會場上飛舞，並拉起奧運五環標誌。

接著由一批穿著中國不同民族服裝的小朋友，合唱「歌唱祖國」，並升起國旗，接著唱中華人民共和國國歌《義勇軍進行曲》。

接著是整個表演的核心部份，名為《美麗的奧林匹克》。一個超巨型投影画面以中國畫卷的造型，播放著紙張製作、文房四寶、落墨著色、裝裱成軸的過程。然後在巨型投影画面上一張晝紙上，有舞蹈員在上面畫畫。

接著有飾演孔子弟子的演員，手持竹簡高聲吟唱，然後併出一個「和」字，代表以和為貴。

接著由一男一女演員，在五幅著名長卷《遊春圖》、《清明上河圖》、《大駕鹵簿圖》、《明憲宗元宵行樂圖》、《乾隆八旬萬壽圖卷》陪襯下，表演古老的崑曲。

然後由年輕的鋼琴家郎朗和一名五歲的小女孩共同演奏。之後有1000名表演者搭建了一個人肉「鳥巢」。

在中國歌手劉歡和英國著名歌手莎拉·布萊曼，演唱由陳其鋼創作，首次公開演唱的奧運會主題曲《我和你》後，到各國選手進場。

今屆奧運出場順序會按中文名稱的筆劃順序。而按慣例，首先進場是上屆主辦國，即希臘，而最後進場是本屆主辦國，即中國，據早前公佈，中國隊會由姚明擔任持旗手。

第二進場是幾內亞。接著其他國家選手陸續進場，日本由福原愛擔任持旗手進場；中華台北由賴聖蓉擔任持旗手進場；接著是中非共和國；然後到中國香港，由單車手黃金寶擔任持旗手。

運動員進場後，先後由北京奧組委主席劉淇、國際奧委會主席羅格致詞。

然後是升旗儀式，接著是運動員宣誓儀式。

宣誓後，是奧運火炬儀式，持奧運火炬進場的，是中國奧運第一金許海峰，接著是高敏、李小雙、占旭剛、張軍、陳中、孫晉芳，最後燃點火盤的是體操王子李寧。

李寧以鋼線吊到高空，然後於国家体育场上部边沿以飛檐走壁的方式跑，一邊跑背後的投影画面便一直播放著奧運的一些歷史片段，最後燃點一支巨型「祥雲」主火炬台。

【2008年8月8日讯】


2008 TaiSPO: Interview with Ideal Bike Corporation and Gary Silva

2008 Taipei International Cycle Show (Taipei Cycle) & Taipei International Sporting Goods Show (TaiSPO) not only did a best reunion with conjunctions of the launch of Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition and the concurrent cycling race of 2008 Tour de Taiwan but also provide opportunities and benefits for sporting goods, bicycle, and athlete sports industries to establish the basis of the sourcing center in Asia and notabilities on the international cycling race.

Although the Taipei cycle was split from the TaiSPO since 1988, but the trends of sporting good industry in Taiwan changed rapidly and multiply because of modern people's lifestyles and habits. After the "TaiSPO Innovation Award" was established since 2005, the fitness and leisure industries became popular stars as several international buyers respected on lifestyle and health.

For example, some participants participated Taipei Cycle and TaiSPO with different product lines to do several marketing on bicycle and fitness equipments, this also echoed the "Three New Movements" proposed by Giant Co., Ltd. to make a simple bicycle with multiple applications and functions. As of those facts above, Wikinews Journalist Rico Shen interviewed Ideal Bike Corporation and Gary Silva, designer of "3G Steeper" to find out the possibilities on the optimizations between two elements, fitness and bicycle.

((Wikinews)) What are the conceptions on the design of 3G Stepper?

Ideal: (As Gary Silva in demonstrations) We merged some basis on a elliptic and a simple fitness stepper, all designed for indoor fitness sporting. After this, the 3G Stepper became a functional bicycle with fitness and transportation. As its steppers were originally designed with lever theory and without bicycle seat, not only its speed was determined by its frequency when stepping, but also a user should use one's physical strengths and torques (turnings) to balance the 3G Stepper and make a high intensive works on sporting.

((WN)) Although the show schedule is concurrent for TaiSPO and Taipei Cycle, but why did you participate the innovation award for the 3G Stepper at TaiSPO?

Ideal: As of mentioned functions before, it can't be fully thought as a bicycle because of fitness functionality.

((WN)) So you [Ideal Bike] consider to participate at TaiSPO with fitness factor?

Ideal: Traditionally, a bicycle often worked on a person's lower-body, but we promoted "3G Stepper" by considering its fitness factor to hope everyone do a great full-body work with its coordination because a rider should use strengths on one's upper-body to step on the stepper.

((WN)) Not only fitness, but also artificial intelligence? And the other features?

Ideal: Originally, we [Ideal Bike] promoted the 3G Stepper mainly to the bicycle and sporting goods market in United States for leisure and fitness because of a DAMN bad lifestyle especially not sporting and bad beverage culture, which will cause several cardiovascular diseases. By the way, we also designer a smaller version for kids because we hope 3G Stepper is not just a "simple scooter" but a great invention. With this conception, we hope kids can be interested in this stepper and do several trainings on balance. In the past, several people were afraid of a bicycle because its dynamic balance should be done when riding. Last but not least, the 3G Stepper has no limitations on a rider's heights and clothes.

((WN)) What do you think about the concurrent schedule on TaiSPO and Taipei Cycle showcased in different venues?

Gary Silva: As you know, even though the bicycle (industry) is important, but we [Ideal Bike] chose the TaiSPO because of its nature on fitness. I hope that "a bicycle is not just a simple bicycle".

((WN)) More than 20 years ago, the Taipei Cycle was ever included in TaiSPO, but after the maturity of export market on bicycle industry, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) finally split the bicycle (industry) from sporting goods (industry), and currently, it became the current condition as two trade shows showcased each other...

Gary: It sounds like a good idea and a proper split even though the industry natures of bicycle and sporting good are similar, and some buyers also want to gain some sourcing resources from those two (bicycle and sporting good) industries.

((WN)) What do you think about a combination on TaiSPO, Taipei Cycle, and Tour de Taiwan?

Gary: Tour de Taiwan?

((WN)) A cycling race.

Gary: Very nice, this combination will bring visitors on those two shows.

((WN)) Will this combination provide benefits on sporting good, bicycle, and athlete sports industries?

Gary: Yes, surely. Because buyers and visitors from those three main activity can understand their each own backgrounds, and this optimization will improve notabilities on two shows and the cycling race.


愛地雅科技：自行車應擺脫傳統 朝健身機能發展

今年的台北國際體育用品展與自行車展，不但因為南港館、環台賽的加持，屢創佳績，更確實為體育用品、競技體育、自行車等產業，創造出不少機會，更奠定了亞洲採購中心的基礎，以及國際賽會的知名度。

雖然自行車展是自1988年起，從體育用品展中獨立出來，但近年來，體育用品產業的發展，也開始多元化，甚至因為現代人的生活習慣，使得健身、休閒產業開始竄起，因此，從2005年起首辦的「體育用品創新產品獎」當中，健身類產品除了獲得評審的喜好，甚而成為最受國際買主重視的一大採購區塊。

以今年為例，部分廠商藉由同時參與自行車展與體育用品展的展出，做為另一種行銷結合「自行車」與「健康運動」機能的重要展示平台，也呼應了往年台灣自行車產業大推的「三新運動」，讓自行車擺脫傳統，更具健康機能，因此，維基新聞記者Rico Shen特別以愛地雅科技在「體育用品創新產品獎」得獎的範例，藉由本次專訪，來了解自行車與健身兩大元素整合的可能。

WN
3G Bike的設計概念？

Ideal：（示範進行途中）3G Bike當初設計時，就將踏步機的概念融入，本來踏步機只是一個室內的健身工具，但是將這種元素融入後，就是一個兼具健身與通勤機能的自行車，而踏板在設計上具備槓桿原理，踏步的頻率也會影響到騎行時的速率，加上無座椅的設計，使用者必須藉由全身的力量，發揮踏板的平衡作用，進而有高強度的運動效果，因此，大致來說，可以算是一種健身器材。

WN
雖然台北國際自行車展，和體育用品展同檔期、不同地點展出，但在創新產品的徵選部分，為何要選擇體育用品展？還是其他考量？

Ideal：3G Bike，誠如先前所言，功能上較偏向於健身，雖然不能完全說是一台自行車，但卻是富含多項機能的一台健身車，而且在零件的調整上，也是可以上手的。

WN
也就是說，主要會參選的原因，是以健身（Fitness）做為考量？

Ideal：自行車在傳統上來說，只有下半身有運動到，但是我們（愛地雅科技）的3G Bike，本身因為考量到健身的需求，因此可以讓全身都運動到，因為當使用者要使力來踩踏板時，需要用到上半身的力量，速度會和律動性成正相關。

WN
除了健身，也含有人體工學（Artificial Intelligence）的要素？以及其他特點？

Ideal：這台車（3G Bike）當初是主打美國的市場，起因是因為歐美地區的飲食文化，加上運動習慣的偏差，想說只把自行車當休閒機能，因此，3G Bike設計的目的，就是希望能達成健身與休閒的效果，並且也有針對兒童設計的車型，會針對兒童族群設計的原因，則是希望能打破傳統的「滑板車」印象，讓兒童不但可以對一種新的發明更有興趣，更可訓練其平衡感。以往，有些人對自行車是很恐懼的，因為要坐著，而且要藉由騎乘，進行動態平衡，但是這台車，卻是較偏向於運動健身型的，而且還有一項隱藏的優勢，就是身高和衣著，並不會影響到騎乘的效果。

WN
對於自行車展、體育用品展在同檔期、不同地點展出的看法？

Gary Silva：雖然自行車是很重要的產業，但會想到讓這種多功能的產品在體育用品展登場，是基於它的健身機能，更希望「自行車不應當只是單純的自行車」。

WN
20多年前，自行車展曾一度是體育用品展的一部份，但在自行車的外銷市場逐漸成長後，貿協決定將自行車從體育用品產業劃分出來，演變成現在的局面。

Gary：這是一種不錯的方式，雖然自行車、健身用品兩產業的市場性質極度相似，但是製造商的性質卻截然不同，而買主想要的資源也可能會以健身用品為主要走向，因此儘管是相似的產業，但我希望有適當的切割。

WN
對於今年讓環台賽、自行車展、體育用品展三合一的看法？

Gary：環台賽？

WN
是一項自由車的競技。

Gary：這種整合不僅恰到好處，甚至對於會展的人氣或買氣，都有一定程度的提升。

WN
這是否有助於自行車、體育用品、競技運動產業？

Gary：確實，因為這種三合一，可以讓兩邊的買主，互相了解不同產業的走勢，而藉由比賽與展覽的整合，更可幫助展覽名氣的提升。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 1: A triple-crown honor for Kam-po Wong

2008 Tour de Taiwan, with 7 different divisions and 8 stages, started yesterday at Love River of Kaohsiung City as its first stage. Not only a site event named "Walking in the Love River for World Games 2009" (in Chinese: 愛河健走，世運加油) was held to support the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung City, but also a damn hot weather challenged for cyclists' physical strength.

In the starting of the 3rd lap, there was a sudden blow sound near the 50m flag. According to some witnesses, a cyclist from Health Net Pro Cycling Team was forced to quit this race because his tire blew suddenly due to a damn hot weather and the temperature of the race lane progressively rose up.

By the way of this race, not every cyclist could get rid off the chasing groups until some 5 cyclists suddenly get rid off them to become the leading group. Finally, Kam-po Wong reverse this condition in the final lap and won the champion of this stage. Indirectly, he also won the Asian and general leading champion in this stage.

In the After Race Media Interview, Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen questioned about his reversal in this stage and the future challenges for next 7 stages, Wong said:

Coincidentally, before the racing, a team member of Jet Fuel Coffee Cycling Team from Canada said to Wikinews:


2008國際自由車環台賽 黃金寶搶下首冠 單站三冠王

2008國際自由車環台賽，今日在高雄市愛河展開首戰，除了有配合2009年即將進行的世界運動會，在週邊進行健走活動外，更因為炎熱且穩定的天氣，考驗了眾多參賽者的體能。

開賽後不久，將近第三圈時，終點前距離50公尺的標誌前，突然傳出巨響，疑似因為天氣過熱，柏油路面溫度較高，導致選手行進時，車輪突然爆胎，進而使得美國Health Net隊的某選手必須退出比賽，甚至，在比賽中盤，領先群一度險些被後面的集團追及，差點沒收比賽。

直到比賽近末盤，不到十圈時，才由馬來西亞的車手拉出領先的五人群，但最後，亞洲車神，也是香港自行車名將黃金寶，卻在最後的瞬間，逆轉了戰局，不但成為單站冠軍，更拿下亞洲冠軍與總冠軍，成為單站的三冠王。

另外，在賽後媒體聯訪中，記者Rico Shen問及黃金寶在本比賽中，逆轉獲得冠軍後，對於後續其他分站的挑戰，他也做出了以下的回應：

而恰巧，在賽前訪問今年首度參賽的加拿大Jet Fuel Coffee自行車隊時，隊員也表示：

【2008年3月9日讯】


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 2: European & American cyclists rise up

The 2008 Tour de Taiwan in Pingtung County, started its second stage in the Pingtung Tropic Agriculture Exposition Park (in Chinese: 屏東熱博園區) and raced around Pingtung Orchid Fern Bicycle Lane (in Chinese: 屏東蘭花蕨自行車道) completing 8 laps today. The cyclists' speed, endurance, and physical strength played the key roles in this stage.

In the intermediate period of this race, Sea Keong Loh, Kenichiro Tose, Peter Morse, and Angus Morton ever successively sprinted for a short-term lead, but the "main group" caught up and made up the difference in just a short distance. Finally, 93 riders in the main group finished this race in 2H21m47s, but Marek Wesoły reached the finish line first to win the stage champion.

After races in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, Kam-po Wong and Po-hung Wu (巫帛宏) held the lead respectively in Asian and Taiwan Group, John Murphy got winning in the overall and sprint class.


2008國際自由車環台賽 歐美選手榮耀屏東站

2008年國際自由車環台賽，今（10）日進軍屏東熱帶園區，這場繞行蘭花蕨自行車八圈的公路繞圈賽，因為起伏穩定的關係，選手的體力、耐力、速度，在這111.2公里的長距離比賽中，更顯重要。

比賽中後段時，馬來西亞的羅席克（Sea Keong Loh）、e-MA車隊的外勢健一朗、加拿大JFC車隊的摩斯（Peter Morse）、澳洲保時捷隊的摩爾登（Angus Morton）等人，都曾先後拉出短暫的領先團，但卻因為賽道的穩定設計，小的領先集團無法維持長久的優勢，馬上就被主集團超越，並以此型式衝出終點，使得主集團的成員，都以2小時21分47秒完成比賽，但最終，美利達歐洲隊的馬瑞克（Marek Wesoły）則是以優先壓線的優勢，拿下本站的冠軍。

在總成績核算後，黃金寶只保住了亞洲冠軍的藍衫，反而讓美國瑪吉斯車隊的墨菲（John Murphy）拿下了總冠軍黃衫，並繼續保住衝刺王的榮銜，而台灣的巫帛宏，則是繼續保住了台灣總冠軍的黃衫。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 3: Varied changes at Changhua Stage

The 3rd Stage of 2008 Tour de Taiwan was held today in Changhua County - the long-distance circulation. This race started at Baguashan, along County Route 19 through two townships including Tienwei and Yuanlin, and finally entered the climbing stage near the Arch of Baguashan. The route challenged cyclists' speed in the climbing stage, and many consider the Changhua County part of the race, the hardest of the tournament.

In this race, Tomoya Kano and Shinichi Fukushima sprinted for the leading advantage with four other cyclists, but after entering the downtown route, Angus Morton suddenly crashed when downgrading. This sudden crash reduced the differences within the six cyclists leading the group before the climbing stage. Finally, Peter McDonald from Drapac Porsche Development Program Team accidentally won the stage champion with his teammates' help.

With the advantages of steady weather and the climbing stage, Giant Asia Racing Team group took the lead, and Kuan-hua Lai from Giant Asia led in Taiwan Group during this stage. John Murphy from Health Net Pro Cycling Team still retained the liead in overall and sprint classes.

The Tour de Taiwan is a professional road bicycle racing event on the UCI Asia Tour.  The event was established by Giant Sport Foundation founder King Liu in 1978.  Last year's winner was Shawn Milne representing the United States.


2008國際自由車環台賽 台、澳選手逆轉彰化站

2008年國際自由車環台賽，今日北上彰化縣，展開第三站的長途公路賽，在賽前的開幕典禮中，縣長卓伯源對各大媒體做出以下的宣言：

這項比賽除了以景點取勝，更因為八卦山的終點爬坡，進而使得彰化站成為本次比賽的最大難關，日本的狩野智也、福島晉一都曾先後拉出一波領先優勢，並且與其他四位車手，匯聚成領先集團；但進入市區後，澳洲保時捷隊的摩爾登（Angus Morton）的一個嚴重摔車，使得主集團在終點爬坡前，將六人的領先集團給吞沒，然而，摩爾登的隊友麥當勞（Peter McDonald）卻藉由隊友的協助，意外地奪下本站的冠軍，同時也是他加盟澳洲保時捷隊以來，生涯第一個國際賽的單站冠軍。

藉由穩定的天候與路線爬坡的優勢，地主捷安特亞洲隊在這項比賽中，竄升至團體總排名的第一位，而該隊車手賴冠華，也以總成績的優勢，將台灣冠軍的白衫奪下，此外，美國瑪吉斯車隊的墨菲（John Murphy）仍持續保持總冠軍黃衫與衝刺王綠衫的領先地位。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 4: Intensive circulation at Taichung City

The Taichung City Stage of Tour de Taiwan 2008, approved by several executives since the first time set up in the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium last year, raced today around the Wen-shin Forest Park near Shiang-shang Road, Wen-shin Road, Da-duen 7th Street, and He-nan Road Sec. 4.

It's a short-term circulation, however. But due to a few differences on land ranges, not every cyclist can keep the leading in a long-period. Finally, the "main group" with 90 participated cyclists passed the finish line, but Krzysztof Jeżowski from Merida Europe narrowly touched the finish line first to win the stage champion.

After the race, Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen briefly questioned Jeżowski about next 4 stages in Tour de Taiwan, he commented that he and his teammate will do several attempts to win the stage champions in next 4 stages to repay on anticipations by some cycling fans.


2008國際自由車環台賽 台中站大轉變

2008年國際自由車環台賽，今日展開第四站的比賽，繼去年在台中洲際棒球場首度進行台中站的比賽，獲得好評後，今年，為了因應在洲際棒球場進行的奧運最終資格賽，台中站移師文心路與向上路交界的文心森林公園，進行比賽，正因為比賽地點鄰近大新國小的關係，也吸引不少老師與小學生，一同親臨現場觀賽。

雖然是一場繞行向上路、文心路、大墩七街、河南路周邊40圈，單圈2.2公里的繞圈賽，但是，因為路程變化幅度較小的關係，列強出現互咬的局勢，儘管有部分選手曾在中後段展開攻勢，但是，主集團不僅吃掉所有試圖領先的車手，更以大集團衝線的型式，結束比賽。

最終，隸屬美利達歐洲隊的波蘭籍車手卡利斯多夫（Krzysztof Jeżowski），以半個輪距的優勢，拿下單站冠軍；日本愛三隊的西谷泰治，雖然飲恨終點前，卻藉由成績的優勢，間接地搶下亞洲冠軍領先衫，而在本站拿下季軍的墨菲（John Murphy），則持續保住總冠軍黃衫與衝刺王綠衫的雙重優勢。

賽後，卡利斯多夫接受記者Rico Shen問及未來四站的挑戰時，他認為自己的隊伍，會試著贏下各站的分站冠軍，希望不辜負車迷對他們的期待，不管是公路賽，或是新設置的南港館繞圈賽。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 5: Shawn Milne threatens John Murphy's leading

The 5th Stage of 2008 Tour de Taiwan went to Hsinchu City yesterday. It started from Hsinchu City Hall through Dung-da Road and Province Route 61 to Splendid Coastline. This 148km-long race is the longest race in this Tour de Taiwan and conceals some factors such as wind in Hsinchu and cyclists' physical strength.

Sung-baek Park and Erik Hoffmann ever sprinted for a short-team leading, however, with lane's steadily in this race, the main group insisted the differences closely until the finish line.

Finally, Merida Europe Team sprinted the finish line with main group, but Shawn Milne, former champion of Tour de Taiwan, won the stage champion in this stage and threatened John Murphy's leading into a difference with 10 seconds. As a result, Shawn showed his determination to try retaining the champion this year.


2008國際自由車環台賽 歐美選手 新竹大比拼

2008年國際自由車環台賽，今日進軍新竹市，展開第五站的長途公路賽，這場由新竹市政府，經東大路，繞行台61線，並在風情海岸收尾，全長148公里，是本次環台賽中，路線最長的一場戰役。雖然路線平穩無奇，但長途的征戰，加上新竹地區的風勢，反而成為本次比賽的重要關鍵。

雖然一開始，首爾車隊朴晟伯、捷安特亞洲隊的艾力克（Erik Hoffmann）都曾一度殺出領先團，但因為平穩的路況，使得主集團的緊迫不捨，發揮了功效，並在西濱公路之後，由美利達歐洲隊帶頭，以大集團的方式衝線。

然而，上屆環台賽冠軍，目前隸屬美國Type 1車隊的蕭恩（Shawn Milne），卻意外地逆轉了戰局，拿下了單站冠軍，並以十秒之差，威脅現在的總成績黃衫、衝刺綠衫領先者，也是美國瑪吉斯車隊的墨菲（John Murphy），展現了試圖再度衛冕的雄心。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 6: A jersey battle between American cyclists

The 6th Stage of 2008 Tour de Taiwan held its long-distance race through 9 townships including Banciao, Hsinchuang, Wugu, Bali, Tamshui, Jinshan, Sanjhih, Shihmen, and Wanli in Taipei County today. Even though this race is the second longest race in 2008 Tour de Taiwan, the weather challenged 89 cyclists due to an earlier rain in Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area.

Even though some cyclists were unable to finish this race due to some crashes, but several participated cyclists still successfully finished this race steadily and safely. Finally, Kyle Gritters from Health Net Pro Cycling Team won the Champion of this stage. Shawn Milne and Peter McDonald still threatened the current sprint and overall leader John Murphy within a difference less than 10 seconds.


2008國際自由車環台賽 美國車手榮耀台北縣站

進入比賽中後期的「2008年國際自由車環台賽」，今日在台北縣展開第六站的競逐，雖然這項127公里的長距離公路賽，是整個系列中第二長的賽段，但行經板橋、新莊、五股、八里、淡水、金山、三芝、石門、萬里等九鄉鎮市，卻是行經最多鄉鎮市的一站。

除了競爭激烈的比賽，地主台北縣政府為了推展自行車運動，除了先前推動的自行車道之外，這次，為了迎合「奧運」的主題，特別邀請轄區內多個中小學，以及能仁家商，一同組成加油團，沿路為參賽的選手加油打氣。

雖然在比賽中，曾出現零星的摔車事故，包含台灣車手巫帛宏在終點前摔車，並在其後送醫的情形，但這次參賽的89位選手，大多順利地完成了這項長距離的比賽，最終，美國瑪吉斯車隊的葛瑞特（Kyle Gritters）拿下了本站的冠軍，而蕭恩（Shawn Milne）、麥當勞（Peter McDonald）仍舊以不到十秒的差距，威脅現在的總成績領先者，同時也是衝刺領先者墨菲（John Murphy）。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 7: Kam-po Wong places first for the second time

Since the 2008 Tour de Taiwan entered the Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area for a golden-72-hours' final battle, the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall (TWTC Nangang) stage raced today from Jing-mao 2nd Road through Nangang Road and Sanchung Road to the TWTC Nangang. With its new setup in the Tour de Taiwan, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of the China respected this stage honorarily.

Within 10 laps near the Sanchong Road and Nangang Road, Po-hung Wu, who crashed yesterday after the finish line, crashed again and was forced to quit the race. After some medical aid, he spoke to the Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen: "Even though I crashed frequently in my career...[I was] unable to prevent the crash because you will not know what will happen in [a second]. If possible, just to decrease the possibility of the crash when racing."

But before a brief interview to Po-hung Wu, another crash happened near the 30th lap, not only a Malaysian cyclist was forced to quit this race, but also the referee temporarily suspended and neutralized this race because several cyclists crashed near the finish line. After the officials and referees confirmed the safety of the race lane, this race was firmly reopened. Finally, Kam-po Wong, the 1st Stage Champion, a cyclist form Hong Kong Pro Cycling Team, won this stage champion and helped John Murphy keep his overall leading in this stage.


2008國際自由車環台賽 南港館新戰局 黃金寶再下一城

2008國際自由車環台賽，自昨（14）日起一連三天，在大台北地區，展開最後的黃金決戰，而在今日新設立的「南港展覽館站」，隨著自行車展在周四（13日）開幕，台北世界貿易中心南港展覽館正式啟用的關係，經濟部、貿協也特別重視這次新設立的比賽分站。

這項比賽，是由南港館正門出發，行經南港路、三重路，再折回經貿二路，每圈1.45公里，共進行40圈58公里的比拼。比賽的序盤，台灣騎拿車隊的巫帛宏，繼昨日終點前的事故後，今日在南港路、三重路一帶再度摔車，被迫退賽，之後，他向記者Rico Shen表示：「雖然我在比賽的生涯，摔了不少次，但摔車，卻是在所難免，因為任何人都不知道下一秒會是如何，所以我希望，可能的話，盡量降低摔車的可能。」

然而，在這段訪問前，又一個嚴重事故，在將近30圈時發生，不但使得馬來西亞的車手被迫退賽，更因為有多位車手遭到波及，裁判被迫宣布「暫停比賽」，直到確認現場安全後，比賽恢復進行。最終，原本落在主集團，同時也是高雄市站的冠軍，香港職業車隊的黃金寶，以最後的領先優勢，拿下南港站首度設立以來的首個單站冠軍，也是這次系列賽的第二個單站冠軍；拜黃金寶奪冠所賜，墨菲也驚險地，暫時在本站保住了總冠軍的黃衫。


2008 Tour de Taiwan Stage 8: A great ending for John Murphy

A 72-golden-hour race of 2008 Tour de Taiwan in the Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area came to an end after entering the Taipei Xinyi Shopping Area as the final stage today. Before the main race, the organizer, Chinese Taipei Cycling Association held "The 3rd Taipei Citizen Elimination Road Race" to examine the achievements of basic cycling promotion. Even though its racing scale is one third of the Taipei Stage (60 laps, 1 km/lap), but several local cycling clubs and senior cyclists participated in this promotional race.

Kuan-hua Lai, a cyclist from Giant Asia Racing Team, the current Taiwan leader of Tour de Taiwan, spoke to Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen before racing: "Since we [the Team] took the leading from Changhua County Stage until now, we were still be cautious of this current status because the competitors just lost behind within 15 seconds." And also, he commented about an "earlier suspension" incident in the same stage in 2007: "I didn't participate in this series last year. However, with several cyclists' actual strengths in several criterium stages, I think that the same incident won't take place again this year."

In the main race, due to a very close actual strength, not everyone can took the leading for a long-period especially in Asian cyclists' competition. As a result in the middle-end section, the main group extremity controlled the condition of this race. Finally, Marek Wesoły from Merida Europe Team won his second stage champion in this stage since he got former stage champion in Pingtung County. With the stage champion went to Wesoły, John Murphy firmly won the overall champion in this series after 8 stages' racing.

By the way, Kuan-hua Lai not only won the Taiwan Champion and was voted as the "Most Popular Taiwanese Cyclist", but also helped his team (Giant Asia Racing Team) to win the Team Champion in this series. After the race, He commented about this race: "Even though we got a great difference after we [the Team] got the lead from Changhua [stage], but we got a damn difficult situation because the competitors just lost behind within a small difference. Because of this issue, we cautiously chose some roads to do several attacks to keep the leading to the end."

And he also commented about the "DAMN" crash incident yesterday to Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen: "It's unable to prevent the crash. But mostly, cyclists without concentrations to a race [or a game] will bring on crash in a race. If a cyclist want to prevent a crash, a cyclist should focus on the race in any time and any where."

In another brief after race interview, John Murphy talked to Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen about this stage especially on the competition of yellow jersey: "Shawn Milne is a respectful competitor even though he was formerly in our [Health Net Pro Cycling] team, but he majorly ever threatened me since he got the 5th Stage Champion. After this, my current teammates did several attempts covering me to the end, and finally, it took a good effort for me. I really appreciated and thanked for my teammates' help."


2008國際自由車環台賽 墨菲笑到最後 捷安特留下團體總冠軍

2008年國際自由車環台賽，大台北黃金戰線進入壓軸的台北市站，繼昨（15）日在台北世貿南港館的比賽後，今日移師台北市政府，使得台北市在一連兩日，得以進行不同分站的比賽，再加上自行車展、體育用品展的加持，因此，台北市長郝龍斌也對於運動賽會與展覽的獨特結合，感到非常滿意，更希望這項傳統，可以持續下去。

主辦的中華民國自由車協會，為了要推廣基層自行車運動，搶先在環台賽正賽前，舉辦了「市民菁英繞圈賽」。雖然路線只有環台正式賽的1/3，但也看出了基層自行車運動推展的效果，當中，也不乏自行車經銷商，以及眾多國內自行車隊的參與。

賽前，賴冠華針對今日比賽，向記者Rico Shen表示：「雖然我們（捷安特亞洲隊）從彰化縣站開始，一直領先到第七站，但是因為和對手的差距較小，所以我們不敢大意。」此外，更針對去年的「沒收比賽」事件，作出了以下簡短的評論：「我去年並未參賽，但在今年繞圈賽的情形而言，『主集團被領先團超越過多』的狀況，不至於會再度重演。」同樣地，黃金寶也對今日的狀況表達樂觀，並對賴冠華先前的說法表示贊同。

比賽中，主集團除了也明顯的消長外，領先群也出現互咬的局面，特別是在中前半段，亞洲車手的競爭格外激烈；然而，在天氣因素甚佳的情形下，摔車事故在今日幾乎沒有出現，車手進入衝刺圈時，也格外地謹慎；進入後半段時，歐、亞軍團的領先消長程度，更加白熱化，美國的車手，幾乎被主集團沒收，最終，曾獲得屏東縣站單站冠軍，也是美利達歐洲隊的馬瑞克（Marek Wesoły）率先壓線，拿下本站冠軍，也是本系列賽的第二座單站冠軍，進而使得美國瑪吉斯車隊的墨菲，順利保住總成績黃衫，拿下個人總冠軍。

而捷安特亞洲車隊的賴冠華，不但為自己拿下台灣車手總冠軍，以及獲得本屆比賽，現場票選的「最佳人氣選手」，更幫助自己的隊伍，保住了最後的團體總冠軍。而賽後，賴冠華表示：「雖然從彰化站開始，拿下大幅差距的領先，但這幾站下來，因為秒數的逼近，反而陷入苦戰，因此，我們（捷安特隊）會選擇部分路段，謹慎地攻擊。」另外，針對昨日發生的嚴重摔車事件，他也表示：「摔車在所難免，會摔車的最大原因，就是選手的專注力不足所致。倘若，想要減低事故發生率，那麼，就要無時無刻，專注於比賽的進行。」

另外，在賽後針對總成績冠軍墨菲的小專訪中，他也向記者Rico Shen表示：「我對於能一直保持黃衫到最後，感到非常高興。」此外，針對第五站起，前隊友蕭恩（Shawn Milne）對他在總成績上的威脅，他表示：「蕭恩是一個可敬的對手，儘管他轉隊了。不過，自從我拿到黃衫領騎一開始，我的隊友就一直做出適當地協助，以保護我能夠順利地維持總成績的優勢到最後，所以對於我隊友的協助，我非常地感激。」


2008 UEFA Champions League Final: Manchester United vs. Chelsea F.C.

British football clubs Manchester United and Chelsea today competed in the first ever Champions League final containing only English clubs. The UEFA Champions League is a large European football tournament, where the highest ranked teams from many countries compete. Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties.

The match started off slowly, with the first goal being scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United. The goal was scored at 19:11 UTC.

Claude Makelele and Paul Scholes were both given yellow cards in the 22nd minute due to a collision in air which resulted in Scholes receiving treatment for a small injury.

A goal scored just before half time, by Frank Lampard, put both sides at an equal position for the start of the second half. The goal was scored from a free kick which was taken as a result of a foul by Rio Ferdinand in the 44th minute. Ferdinand got a yellow card as a result of the incident.

In the first few minutes of the second half, Manchester United  were awarded a free kick due to a foul by Ballack, which resulted Ronaldo falling to the ground.

At the mid point in the second half a BBC commentator predicted that changes would be made to the Manchester squad. "Fergie [Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager] remains impassive on the United bench, but surely he can't leave it too much longer before making a change? His team are being over-powered at present," he said.

Drogba aimed to give Chelsea a lead with a shot in the 79th minute, which hit the left hand post.

A late substitution resulted in Paul Scholes being taken off and Ryan Giggs being brought on for Manchester United,


Il Manchester United vince la UEFA Champions League 2008

Allo stadio Lužniki di Mosca è andata in scena la finale che ha assegnato la Champions League 2008 al Manchester United, che ha battuto i connazionali del Chelsea per 7 a 6 ai calci di rigore (1-1 nei tempi regolamentari). Per il Manchester si tratta del terzo trofeo stagionale, dopo il Community Shield e la vittoria nella Premier League. La squadra inglese aveva già vinto altre due Coppe dei Campioni, nel 1968 e nel '99.

Sotto la pioggia incessante, i Red Devils impongono una pressione pressoché costante già dai minuti iniziali del primo tempo. Tuttavia, poche emozioni nel frangente, tralasciando uno scontro al 21° tra Paul Scholes e Claude Makélélé con il primo che sanguina e con entrambi i giocatori ammoniti dall'arbitro Micheľ. Al 25° arriva il gol: rimessa laterale effettuata da Wes Brown, poi azione corale con passaggio a Scholes, cross millimetrico dello stesso Brown e colpo di testa vincente di Cristiano Ronaldo.

Dopo la rete subita, folata del Chelsea: Rio Ferdinand è costretto al colpo di testa all'indietro, che Van der Sar mette in calcio d'angolo. Appena quattro minuti dopo, ci riprova lo United: palla vagante in area, colpo di testa di Tévez. Da pochi passi, Petr Čech respinge; arriva di gran carriera Michael Carrick, ma il portiere ceco si supera sul tiro piazzato del centrocampista, deviando in angolo.

Ancora Manchester al 42°: traversone di Rooney per Tevez, che, in scivolata, non riesce ad inquadrare da pochi passi la porta, disturbato da Makélélé e Čech.

Negli ultimi minuti del tempo risorge letteralmente il Chelsea: prima Lampard si guadagna una punizione dal limite (ammonito Ferdinand). Il tiro di Ballack si spegne, però, sul fondo.

Basta un minuto: contropiede dei blues, tiro di Essien rimpallato, sfugge alle marcature Lampard e con un tap-in vincente batte Ferdinand e Van der Sar, pareggiando così i conti al 44°. C'è ancora tempo per un'ammonizione inflitta a Ricardo Carvalho per un tackle ai danni di Cristiano Ronaldo.

Il secondo tempo si apre all'insegna dell'equilibrio. Al 54° lo rompe il Chelsea, sempre con Essien: salta Ronaldo, compie una finta ai danni di un difensore, tira di sinistro, ma finisce alto. I blues proseguono, caricando prima con Drogba (che riceve un cross di Joe Cole, con deviazione di Vidić) poi con Ballack (tiro potente dai 25 metri), ma senza esito. Al 66°, tiro di Lampard dalla destra: è ancora Vidić a deviare in corner.

Fino al 71°, il Manchester rimane chiuso nella propria metà campo, con Ferdinand zoppicante dalla metà del secondo tempo (ma stoicamente giocherà fino alla fine). Carrick rompe l'assedio con un tiro di sinistro: angolo per il tocco di un difensore londinese. Minuto 74: finte sulla corsia sinistra di Cristiano Ronaldo, percussione in area ma colpisce l'esterno della rete. Micheľ assegna un calcio d'angolo (inesistente), senza effetti.

Tre minuti dopo torna il Chelsea: corto uno-due tra Drogba e Joe Cole sulla sinistra, tiro a girare dell'ivoriano che si infrange sul palo più lontano con Van der Sar battuto. All'86° Joe Cole replica sulla destra con un taglio per il solito Drogba, ma la volée finisce sui cartelloni.

La prima sostituzione della partita avviene all'87°, con Ryan Giggs che subentra a Scholes. Non succede alcunché nei due minuti di recupero e le squadre vanno ai supplementari.

Tre minuti bastano al Chelsea per premere il Manchester. Lampard s'invola verso l'area avversaria, si ferma e passa a Ballack, che scambia di nuovo col compagno: la girata prende in pieno la traversa. Al 98° seconda sostituzione per la squadra di Grant, con Anelka che prende il posto di Joe Cole (dopo che al 92° Salomon Kalou aveva rimpiazzato Florent Malouda).

100°: grande corsa di Evra nell'area del Chelsea che evita gli avversari e passa a Giggs. La botta sicura al volo con Čech già battuto è frenata da Terry. Subito dopo, entra Nani per Rooney. Il primo supplementare, comunque, si chiude con la pressione dei londinesi.

Nel secondo tempo supplementare si vede il Chelsea solo al 111°. Drogba batte una punizione (in seguito ad un fallo di Vidic su Anelka, che gli è valso il cartellino giallo), ancora una volta fuori.

Al 115°, Tevez reagisce male ad un contrasto, si accende una mischia e Micheľ ammonisce l'argentino e Ballack, ma espelle Drogba. Due minuti d'interruzione, inseriti nel recupero prima dei calci di rigore. Ulteriore recupero è dato in seguito ad un contrasto tra Nani e Ashley Cole e agli ultimi due cambi (Anderson per Brown e Belletti per Makélélé).

Inizia il Manchester la serie dei tiri dal dischetto con Tevez: la palla entra con un rasoterra nell'angolo destro, con Čech spiazzato. Ballack replica con un tiro a mezza altezza sullo stesso lato, su cui Van der Sar non arriva. Carrick cambia lato e spiazza nuovamente il numero uno del Chelsea. Il nuovo entrato Belletti, sicuro, sbaraglia l'olandese mirando nello stesso angolo di Tevez. Cristiano Ronaldo interrompe la rincorsa e Čech para il tiro. Lampard concretizza il vantaggio, nonostante l'intuizione di Van der Sar alla sua sinistra. Hargreaves la pianta nel sette, imparabile. Il rigore di sinistro di Ashley Cole s'insacca: solo sfiorata la palla dal portiere. Anche Nani calcia in maniera identica a Cole, ma sull'altro lato. Terry, al rigore potenzialmente decisivo, scivola e sbaglia clamorosamente: si prosegue ad oltranza. Anderson segna di potenza (tiro centrale), Kalou inganna il longilineo portiere olandese; Giggs fa lo stesso con Čech. Anelka deve segnare per proseguire: Van der Sar, però, lo ipnotizza e respinge il tiro del francese, consegnando la Coppa alla squadra di Sir Alex Ferguson.


«Манчестер Юнайтед» победил «Челси» в финале Лиги чемпионов УЕФА 2008

Английский футбольный клуб «Манчестер Юнайтед» выиграл в Лиге чемпионов УЕФА, победив своих соотечественников — лондонский «Челси».

Основное время закончилось со счётом 1:1. Манкунианцы выиграли по серии пенальти (6:5).

Более подробный отчёт о матче — в Википедии.

22 мая 2008 года


2009–10 UEFA Champions League: Round of 16 field set

The 2009–10 Champions League Round of 16 field  is set after the Group Stage finished Wednesday.

Bordeaux, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Fiorentina, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Arsenal all reach the first knockout round via winning their respective groups. Joining them are group stage runners-up Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Milan, Porto, Lyon, Internazionale, Stuttgart and Olympiacos.

In the first knockout round, teams are drawn at random — though teams from the same association or country cannot be drawn together — and play two legs, the aggregate score of which will decide which team advances to the quarter-finals. In addition, group stage winners will play the second leg at their home stadium.

The first-leg games will be played on Feb. 16 and 17, 2010 and the second-leg games will be played on Feb. 23 and 24, 2010. The draw for the Round of 16 will be held on Dec. 18 in Nyon, Switzerland.

Eight third-place teams from the group stage will join the Europa League Round of the 32. They are: Juventus, Wolfsburg, Marseille, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, Rubin Kazan, Unirea Urziceni, and Standard Liège.


Football : les qualifiés pour les huitièmes de finale de la ligue des champions

La dernière journée de la phase de poules de la ligue des champions 2009-2010 se déroulait hier et aujourd'hui. Bordeaux, Lyon, Chelsea, Manchester, Porto, Arsenal, Séville et la Fiorentina étaient déjà qualifiés. Le Bayern Munich, le Real Madrid, le Milan AC, le CSKA Moscou les ont rejoints mardi soir. Enfin, FC Barcelone, l'Inter Milan, Stuttgart et l'Olympiakos se sont qualifiés mercredi.

Parmi les surprises, on notera l'élimination de la Juventus Turin et de Liverpool. Ces deux équipes, comme tous les troisièmes de chaque groupe, seront cependant reversés en Ligue Europa.

Le tirage au sort des huitièmes de finale se déroulera le vendredi 18 décembre. Les matchs allers auront lieu en février 2010 et les matchs retours au mois de mars.


2010 FIFA World Cup: arrivederci Italia!

Slovakia eliminated defending champions Italy from the World Cup. First round groups E and F were decided on Thursday: Japan, Paraguay and the Netherlands progress alongside Slovakia.

When a team finishes third or fourth in a group, they are on their way home. After the elimination of France, runners-up in 2006, it was the turn of the reigning champions. Slovakia met Italy in their first World Cup finals as an independent country.

After 81 minutes, the Azzuri (Italy) were down by two goals, both struck by Róbert Vittek, when they got one back. They were denied a chance to equalize by a rebound from a Slovak knee on the goal line.

Their next goal was disallowed as offside. The Slovaks strengthened their lead when a gross positioning error by Italy led to a goal from a corner. Italy scored their second goal in the closing moments of the game, but it wasn't enough, and the Azzuri were out of the tournament.

For the fourth time in history, the reigning world champion was eliminated in the first round.  The previous occasions were Italy in 1950, Brazil in 1966 and France in 2002.

Also on Thursday, Japan achieved a surprise 3 – 1 defeat of Denmark.  This, along with their victory over Cameroon on June 14, secured their qualification.  Paraguay stamped their ticket for the round of sixteen in a nil–nil draw with New Zealand's All Whites.  The draw gave New Zealand a point to take them ahead of Italy, finishing Group F in third place.  The All Whites leave the tournament undefeated, recalling Cameroon's elimination in 1982 after three draws, pipped by Italy on goals scored.  The Netherlands beat Cameroon, securing Group E's first place.


Italia perdió con Eslovaquia y quedó afuera del Mundial

24 de junio de 2010Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica —

En el estadio Ellis Park, bajo el arbitraje del inglés Howard Webb, la selección campeona del mundo de Alemania 2006, Italia, perdió con Eslovaquia 2 - 3. El eslovaco Róbert Vittek, autor de los dos primeros goles, fue elegido por la FIFA como mejor jugador del partido.

Paraguay y Nueva Zelanda empataron 0 - 0, por lo tanto con este resultado Italia quedó afuera del Mundial, Paraguay clasificó primero y Eslovaquia segundo del grupo F.

Italia inició el primer tiempo buscando el partido y presionando en el área eslovaca. Los eslovacos se defienden bien, y llegan también al área de los italianos. El gol eslovaco vino a los 25' a través de Vittek.

Para el inicio del segundo tiempo, tratando de dar más movilidad a Italia, Marcello Lippi dispuso dos cambios: Fabio Quagliarella por Gennaro Gattuso y Christian Maggio por Domenico Criscito.

Italia jugaba mal, y no encontraba la vuelta del partido. A los 73' Eslovaquia parece liquidar el partido, Vittek convierte otro gol. En ese momento Italia reacciona y los últimos minutos del partido se hacen electrizantes. A los 81' Italia hace un gol de descuento a través de Antonio Di Natale. A partir de ese momento, los eslovacos no podían frenar a los italianos.

Cuando parecía que Italia podía conseguir el gol del empate que los clasificara, tras un lateral de Eslovaquia cerca del área italiana y un descuido de la defensa, Kamil Kopúnek logra ingresar, la remata y el tercer gol le daba tranquilidad a Eslovaquia.

Pero todo no estaba dicho, Italia sigue luchando, ya en el minuto extra de los 90 cumplidos, Fabio Quagliarella descuenta para los italianos con un remate desde unos 25 metros. Los italianos creían que un milagro los podía salvar.

Durante todos los minutos extras, Eslovaquia sufre los embates de Italia, que estuvieron muy cerca del empate. Italia se queda así afuera del mundial sin lograr victorias.


Coupe du Monde de football de 2010 : arrivederci Italia !

Les premières charrettes commencent à se remplir à l'issue du premier tour. Après la pitoyable élimination de la France, finaliste, celle de l'après celle de l'Afrique du Sud, c'est au tour du Champion du monde en titre. La Squadra Azzurra s'est inclinée face à la Slovaquie dont c'était la première participation à une phase finale. Menée par deux buts à zéro grâce à deux buts de Vittek, l'Italie revient au score. Elle manque l'égalisation échoue notamment avec un renvoi du genou slovaque sur sa ligne de but. Un nouveau but est inscrit mais logiquement refusé pour hors-jeu. Les Slovaques plient le match sur un but réalisé sur une remise en touche et une grossière erreur de placement italienne. Les Italiens reviennent au score en fin de rencontre mais s'inclinent en fin de rencontre. Les Azzuri quittent la compétition. Pour la quatrième fois de son histoire, l'équipe championne du monde est éliminée au premier tour : l'Italie en 1950 et en 2010, le Brésil en 1966 et la France en 2002.

Dans les autres rencontres, le Japon crée la surprise en s'imposant face au Danemark. Cette deuxième victoire nippone leur assure la qualification. Le Paraguay a validé son billet pour les huitièmes de finales en concédant le match nul face à d'étonnants All Whites. Les Kiwis prennent la troisième place devant l'Italie et quittent la compétition en restant invaincue. Cette élimination rappelle celle du Cameroun en 1982 qui avec trois matchs nuls était éliminé par l'Italie à la faveur du nombre de buts marqués pour les Azzuris.


Calcio, Mondiali 2010: l'Italia perde 3-2 con la Slovacchia ed è fuori

Johannesburg, giovedì 24 giugno 2010

È finita al primo turno, dopo sole tre partite, l'avventura della Nazionale italiana allenata da Marcello Lippi ai Mondiali di calcio in Sudafrica. Fatale agli azzurri la sconfitta per 2-3 nel terzo, decisivo, incontro con l'esordiente Slovacchia di Marek Hamšík, che si va ad aggiungere ai due deludenti pareggi nei precedenti incontri con Paraguay e Nuova Zelanda. E se non è una "Corea", poco ci manca: gli azzurri erano infatti i campioni uscenti ed erano stati inseriti in un girone che, al momento del sorteggio, era stato etichettato come "facile".

Con la sconfitta con la Slovacchia, che passa il turno come seconda dietro al Paraguay, l'Italia chiude il girone F all'ultimo posto con soli due punti, dietro anche alla Nuova Zelanda, che viene eliminata, ma che chiude imbattuta. Curiosamente, sono uscite al primo turno le prime due squadre del mondiale di Germania 2006: oltre all'Italia, anche la Francia, vicecampione, ha lasciato mestamente il mondiale. Non era mai successo.

Non accadeva dai Mondiali in Germania del 1974 che gli azzurri uscissero al primo turno. In precedenza era successo nel 1950, nel 1954, 1962 e nel 1966 (quelli della "fatal Corea"), ma non era mai accaduto che l'Italia finisse ultima nel girone della prima fase eliminatoria e che non vincesse nemmeno una partita. Da campioni del mondo in carica, gli azzurri erano usciti al primo turno nel 1950 (bisogna però anche dire che erano passati 12 anni dall'ultimo mondiale per via della guerra), mentre l'ultima volta in cui l'Italia era detentrice del trofeo, nel 1986 in Messico, fu "stoppata" agli ottavi dalla Francia di Michel Platini.

Oltre all'Italia, era già capitato ad altre due nazionali dedentrici del titolo di uscire al primo turno, segnatamente al Brasile nel 1966 e alla Francia nel 2002. Per la cronaca, la Slovacchia è andata in goal due volte con Vittek (1-0 e 2-0) e una con Kopúnek (3-1), mentre per l'Italia sono andati a segno Di Natale e Quagliarella nei minuti finali (1-2 e 2-3).

Con l'amaro addio al Sudafrica, che evidentemente non porta troppa fortuna agli Azzurri (a cui toccò la stessa sorte nella Confederations Cup dell'anno scorso, anche se allora vinsero almeno una partita), si chiude un ciclo, compreso quello in panchina, con Marcello Lippi che lascia il suo posto a Cesare Prandelli. Per contro, con questa vittoria, la Slovacchia raggiunge il secondo posto e conquista la qualificazione agli ottavi di finale.

CRONACA DELL'INCONTRO - Slovacchia e Italia si sfidano nell'ultima giornata del girone F, dopo aver raccolto rispettivamente 1 punto e 2 punti nei due turni precedenti, ma con intatte possibilità di qualificazione agli ottavi: all'Italia una vittoria garantirebbe la certezza del passaggio del turno, ma potrebbe bastare anche un pareggio (se non vince la Nuova Zelanda), mentre gli slovacchi sono costretti a vincere per restare nel torneo (ma potrebbe anche non bastare, nel caso di una contemporanea vittoria della Nuova Zelanda).

Fischio d'inizio della gara alle ore 16.00 all'Ellis Park, "tempio" del rugby in Sudafrica agli ordini dell'arbitro inglese Howard Webb: gli azzurri si caricano a vicenda al termine dell'esecuzione dell'Inno di Mameli, ma in campo appaiono contratti e lasciano spazio e campo agli slovacchi.

Il primo campanello d'allarme per la difesa italiana scatta gia al 5' quando Hamšík viene imbeccato da un passaggio filtrante: l'attaccante del Napoli mette però malamente fuori di sinistro da buona posizione. Azione quasi in fotocopia al 24', ma stavolta Vittek fa centro con un tiro a fil di palo su cui Marchetti non può nulla: 1-0.

Nel corso del primo tempo, è poi sempre la Slovacchia a rendersi pericolosa. L'unico pericolo creato dagli azzurri è un quasi autogoal di Martin Škrtel, che, per mettere in angolo, per poco non sorprende il proprio portiere Ján Mucha con un colpo di testa. Si va così al riposo con il punteggio di 1-0 per la Slovacchia.

Ad inizio ripresa, Lippi effettua subito due cambi, facendo entrare Christian Maggio e Fabio Quagliarella al posto di Domenico Criscito e Gennaro Gattuso. I cambi sembrano dare qualche frutto, e la squadra, impalpabile nei primi 45' minuti, riesce a rendersi più pericolosa. L'occasione più ghiotta capita a Quagliarella, che al 65' si trova la porta spalancata, ma il difensore slovacco Škrtel salva sulla linea a Mucha battuto.

Al 73', la Slovacchia riesce però a portarsi sul 2 a 0. La squadra di Vladimír Weiss batte un calcio d'angolo (contestato dagli azzurri): la difesa avversaria rinvia di testa, ma la palla capita sui piedi di Hamšík, che dalla destra mette in mezzo; il più lesto ad intervenire è Vittek, che da pochi passi fulmina Marchetti insaccando sul primo palo. A quel punto per gli azzurri sembra davvero finita, ma nei 10 minuti finali succede un po' di tutto.

All'80', Quagliarella viene servito in area da Vincenzo Iaquinta: Mucha respinge, ma sulla palla si avventa Di Natale che mette dentro a porta vuota. Gli azzurri ora ci credono: all'83' palla in mezzo dalla sinistra per Quagliarella che mette dentro, ma l'illusione del clamoroso pareggio dura soltanto pochi secondi, in quanto il goal viene annullato per un millimetrico fuorigioco. Cinque minuti dopo la difesa italiana si fa però sorprendere da una rimessa laterale che mette il neo-entrato Kopúnek a tu per tu con Marchetti, beffato da un pallonetto: 3-1. A riaccendere le flebili speranze italiane ci pensa Quagliarella, che beffa Mucha con un pallonetto dal limite che si insacca all'incrocio dei pali: 2-3. Dopo il gol, si accende un parapiglia e gli stessi Quagliarella e Mucha vengono ammoniti.

L'arbitro concede 4' minuti di recupero e proprio al 94' c'è spazio per l'ultima chance di pareggio per l'Italia: spiovente dalla destra che giunge sui piedi di Simone Pepe, ma il neo-juventino "buca" la palla di destro. Su quel tiro si spengono le speranze di una rocambolesca qualificazione per l'Italia. Al fischio finale, c'è spazio solo per i festeggiamenti dei giocatori e dei tifosi slovacchi e per le lacrime di Quagliarella, consolato da Fabio Cannavaro.

L'ALTRO INCONTRO: NUOVA ZELANDA - PARAGUAY- Nella giornata della disfatta azzurra, il Paraguay e la Nuova Zelanda disputano a Polokwane una partita quasi priva di grandi emozioni, con la formazione sudamericana poco brillante, che comanda il gioco ma sterilmente, creando un paio di occasioni nella ripresa, nelle quali Mark Paston se la cava senza particolari problemi. Finisce 0-0 con il Paraguay che mantiene la prima posizione, mentre la Nuova Zelanda chiude eliminata ma imbattuta.

Concluse le sei gare del Gruppo F, la situazione delineatasi in classifica è la seguente:


Mundial 2010: Słowacja 3-2 Włochy

Sensacyjnie zakończyło się ostatnie spotkanie w grupie F piłkarskich Mistrzostw Świata, gdzie Słowacja pokonała 3-2 Włochów. Ten niespodziewany wynik dał awans Słowacji z drugiego miejsca w grupie, a dla Włochów oznacza czwarte miejsce, gdyż wyprzedziła ich nawet mająca punkt więcej Nowa Zelandia.


2010 FIFA World Cup: Spain beats Chile; both go to second round

Spain has qualified for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup after beating Chile 2-1. The game took place in Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, and had an attendance of 41,958 people.

Early in the match, the Chilean team tried to suffocate the Spanish. After a long shot in the twenty-fourth minute, David Villa scored the first goal when  Claudio Bravo left the goal open. Iniesta scored Spain's second goal in the thirty-seventh minute.

Chile pressed the Spanish players in the second half, and Rodrigo Millar scored the first and only goal for Chile. The game then calmed down as both were going to qualify.

Celebrations in Santiago de Chile after Chile's qualification ended with 140 arrests, despite a special security program by the Carabineros

President Sebastián Piñera watched the match in Duao, (Región del Maule), in the company of Victor "Zafrada" Díaz, who became famous after February earthquake, when he described his experience in Iloca to Chilean news media.


España le ganó a Chile 2-1, ambas clasificaron a los octavos de final de Sudáfrica 2010

25 de junio de 2010Pretoria, Sudáfrica —

La selección española se clasificó para los octavos de final del Mundial tras ganar a Chile por 1-2 en un partido que no le fue favorable al equipo español en el inicio.

No fue un camino de rosas el encuentro ni mucho menos. En el inicio del partido, la presión muy arriba de los chilenos ahogó el fútbol de toque del equipo de Del Bosque. Con Sergio Busquets y Xabi Alonso sobrepasados y Xavi desaparecido, el encuentro tenía muy mala pinta para los intereses españoles. El partido de España no fue bueno pero sí muy efectivo. Sólo tiros a larga distancia, a eso se limitaba el fútbol del equipo español. La circulación de la pelota era nula y los chilenos cada vez rondaban más la portería de Casillas ante el desconcierto generalizado.

Sin embargo, caprichos de este deporte, uno de esos tiros largos largos sin muchas opciones caía en los pies de Torres, Claudio Bravo salió imprevistamente de su arco y el balón llegaba a David Villa, que marcaba un golazo desde unos 35 metros con la zurda aprovechando que la portería estaba vacía.

El tanto hizo que los chilenos se vinieran más arriba y España empezó por fin a encontrar huecos. Un balón que quitó Iniesta en el medio campo llegaba a David Villa, que se la devolvió al centrocampista y éste con un toque sutil daba un pase al fondo de la red. La jugada salió redonda para España, pues Marco Estrada era expulsado por una falta discutida sobre Torres. Todas las ocasiones falladas ante Suiza y Honduras se habían metido esta vez y el partido al descanso parecía presentar un fácil panorama para España.

En la segunda etapa el comienzo fue malo. Chile apretó en el inicio y redujo distancias por medio de Rodrigo Millar, ante la sorpresa de España, desbordada ante un conjunto en inferioridad.

Del Bosque puso en la cancha a Cesc Fábregas y el dominio pasó a ser nuevamente de los españoles, pero sin pegada. El juego de toque empezó a aburrir a Chile, que empezó a recular ante las numerosas combinaciones del rival y según avanzaban los minutos parecía que a ambos les convenía el resultado. Con el empate en el otro partido, el Suiza-Honduras, ambos equipos estaban clasificados y se empezó a notar.

España debió sentenciar en los minutos finales, pero otra vez tuvo un flojo final de partido. El objetivo estaba cumplido y el combinado hispano se dedicó a mover el balón esperando a que el árbitro diera el último pitido del encuentro. Con mucho sufrimiento, España está en octavos de final, y se medirá a Portugal en Ciudad del Cabo; mientras que Chile lo hará con Brasil en Johannesburgo.


Calcio, Mondiali 2010: Spagna e Cile a braccetto agli ottavi

Con le partite del Girone H di questa sera, si è ufficialmente concluso il primo turno dei mondiali sudafricani. Da domani si parte con gli ottavi di finale.

CILE-SPAGNA - Al Loftus Versfeld Stadium di Pretoria si affrontano le due Rojas: Cile e Spagna, con questi ultimi in divisa blu scura. I sudamericani partono con il vantaggio del primato, mentre le Furie Rosse hanno bisogno di vincere per garantirsi quasi sicuramente l'accesso agli ottavi.

L'inizio di gara vede la nazionale di Bielsa più pimpante e propositiva degli uomini di Del Bosque, ma senza lo spunto decisivo.

La gara si sblocca al 24' minuto: su un lancio effettuato dalla difesa spagnola, la palla finisce sui piedi di Fernando Torres vicino alla fascia laterale sinistra; il portiere cileno Claudio Bravo, uscendo dalla sua area interviene in scivolata per togliere la sfera al Niño, ma finisce per servire David Villa che, implacabilmente, approfitta dell'occasione d'oro calciando il pallone verso la porta ormai sguarnita.

Il Cile ha poi l'occasione di trovare il pareggio, ma al 37' capitola nuovamente per merito di un'azione corale ben congegnata dagli spagnoli e conclusa con un tocco di precisione dai 20 metri di Andrés Iniesta. Appena dopo il gol, l'arbitro estrae un cartellino giallo nei confronti di Marco Estrada che, già ammonito in precedenza, finisce anzitempo sotto la doccia, espulso. Il direttore di gara ha infatti considerato da ammonizione un contatto assolutamente fortuito con Torres. Altra espulsione in questo mondiale quantomeno "affrettata". Il primo tempo si conclude 2-0 per la Spagna.

Ad inizio ripresa, il Cile trova il gol in maniera fortunosa: sul tiro di Rodrigo Millar è decisiva la deviazione di ginocchio di Gerard Piqué. Con un orecchio alla gara di Bloemfontein, dove non si sblocca lo 0-0, risultato ideale per entrambe le Rojas, gli ultimi 30 minuti diventano una "melina", in attesa del fischio finale. Con questa sorta di patto di non belligeranza, si conclude la partita. 2-1 per la Spagna, che si classifica prima, superando il Cile, che conquista comunque il secondo posto.

SVIZZERA-HONDURAS - Al Free State Stadium di Bloemfontein la Svizzera ha la grande occasione di centrare la qualificazione agli ottavi di finale; per farlo deve battere, preferibilmente con alcune reti di scarto, Honduras, nazionale che nelle prime due uscite non ha dimostrato grande brillantezza, perdendo entrambi i confronti.

La gara inizia con una leggera predominanza da parte della nazionale Bicolor di Reinaldo Rueda, che non porta a risultati di rilievo. Dal decimo minuto il pallino del gioco passa agli uomini di Ottmar Hitzfeld, che mantengono a lungo il possesso di palla, creano svariate occasioni offensive, ma non riescono mai ad essere precisi in area di rigore. Il primo tempo è quasi esclusivamente un monologo svizzero, con tentativi da parte di Inler, Derdiyok e Nkufo ma il risultato non si sblocca.

Nel secondo tempo non cambia l'atteggiamento delle due formazioni: Svizzera che crea, Honduras che cerca la ripartenza in contropiede. Gli elvetici guadagnano innumerevoli calci di punizione negli ultimi 35 metri, ma smarriscono la via del gol ogni volta che il pallone entra nell'area di rigore honduregna. Honduras sfiora in due occasioni la rete del vantaggio, ma in un caso David Suazo spedisce a lato un colpo di testa, nell'altro è superlativo l'intervento di Diego Benaglio sul tiro ravvicinato di Edgar Álvarez.

Negli ultimi minuti saltano gli schemi, si vedono tentativi da entrambe le parti ma il risultato resta di 0-0. Honduras segna con Georgie Welcome a 5 minuti dal termine, ma l'attaccante è in posizione irregolare e la rete viene annullata. Il fischio finale dell'arbitro decreta ufficialmente l'eliminazione di entrambe le squadre dalla manifestazione.

Definiti anche gli ultimi due ottavi di finale mancanti. Il 28 giugno a Johannesburg si giocherà Brasile-Cile, il 29 giugno a Città del Capo scenderanno in campo Spagna-Portogallo.

Alla luce dei risultati maturati questa sera, la classifica finale del girone H è la seguente:


Mundial 2010: Chile 1-2 Hiszpania

Podopieczni Vicente del Bosque pokonali Chile 2:1 (2:0), awansując do fazy pucharowej z pierwszego miejsca grupy H.


Španija pobedila Čile, obe ekipe idu u osminu finala

26. јун 2010.Преторија-  (Beta) - Fudbalska reprezentacija Španije pobedila je u petak uveče u Pretoriji selekciju Čilea sa 2:1 u trećem kolu H grupe Svetskog prvenstva, a obe ekipe su se plasirale u osminu finala.

„Furija“ je povela golom Davida Vilje u 24. minutu, a na 2:0 povisio je Andres Inijesta u 37. minutu. Strelac pogotka za Čile bio je Rodrigo Milar u 47. minutu. Čileanci su od 38. minuta igrala bez isključenog Marka Estrade.

Španija će, kao prvoplasirani tim grupe G, u osmini finala igrati protiv Portugala, dok će Čile odmeriti snage sa Brazilom.


2010年世界盃足球賽：西班牙擊敗智利首名出線16強

2010年世界盃足球賽H組賽事智利對西班牙在洛夫托斯球場舉行，西班牙以2-1擊敗智利，以首名出線16強。

智利已在分組賽中擊敗洪都拉斯及瑞士，取得領先，只要今場保持不敗，就可以首名晉級十六強，智利今場有馬迪亞斯·费尔南德斯以及卡洛斯·卡尔莫纳停賽。西班牙上次以2-0小勝洪都拉斯，雖然有大卫·比利亚取得兩個入球，但顯得西班牙的攻力有點不足。

上半場5分鐘，西班牙的费尔南多·托雷斯已在前線表現自已，首先是接應哈维的傳球頂斜，接著是接應長傳射偏目標。11分鐘智利博塞朱尔傳中，在6碼點內的马克·冈萨雷斯剷球卻中楣彈出。14分鐘阿力士·桑切斯突然在禁區邊線傳球，被門將卡西利亚斯擋出。

上半場24分鐘，西班牙首先取得入球，門將布拉沃將托雷斯左路盤球以剷球解圍，但是球被大卫·比利亚取得，他毫不猶豫在約40碼左右遠射空門破網領先1-0。37分鐘，西班牙伊涅斯塔在15碼內接應大卫·比利亚的傳球射門破網，領先2-0。在第二個入球前，埃斯特拉达推趺托雷斯，累積兩黃一紅離場。上半場結束，西班牙領先2-0。

十人應戰的智利，下半場開始前作出兩個調動，帕雷德斯與洛迪高·米勒雙雙換入瓦尔蒂维亚及冈萨雷斯。下半場47分鐘，智利追回一球，後備入替米勒在禁區外的射門被西班牙後衛皮克改變方向，門將卡西利亚斯做不及反應，智利追回1-2較接近的比數。由於瑞士對洪都拉斯一直都在0-0打和，雙方將進攻節奏減慢，上半場多次錯失良機的托雷斯亦由法布雷加斯入替。最終西班牙以2-1擊敗智利。

是場最佳球員是伊涅斯塔，西班牙取得3分後與智利同得6分，但是西班牙得失球較佳首出線，十六強對手是葡萄牙，至於智利將會與巴西對決。


2011 Cricket World Cup: India vs Bangladesh

India won the first match of the 2011 Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh by 87 runs on February 19. The Group B match was played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first. In the Indian innings, Virender Sehwag scored the highest total, 175 runs off 140 balls, his highest one-day international score and Virat Kolhi played his debut World Cup match and scored a century, while remaining unbeaten on 100.

The first referral of the World Cup came after the 4th ball of the 2nd innings was bowled. India's Shanthakumaran Sreesanth had bowled a yorker and the umpire declared it not out. Dhoni referred it to the TV umpire and a replay showed it might have missed the leg stump, so the original decision was upheld. The match marked the debut of the controversial umpire referral system in World Cup cricket.

Fall of wickets: 1-69 (Tendulkar, 10.5 ov), 2-152 (Gambhir, 23.2 ov), 3-355 (Sehwag, 47.3 ov), 4-370 (Pathan, 49.6 ov)

Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Imrul Kayes, 6.5 ov), 2-129 (Junaid Siddique, 23.1 ov), 3-188 (Tamim Iqbal, 32.1 ov), 4-234 (Shakib Al Hasan, 39.4 ov), 5-248 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 42.3 ov), 6-261 (Mahmudullah, 44.3 ov), 7-275 (Naeem Islam, 46.3 ov), 8-279 (Abdur Razzak, 47.6 ov), 9-280 (Shafiul Islam, 48.3 ov)

Player of the match: Virender Sehwag

Umpires: Steve Davis (Aus), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri)
TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (West Indies)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri)
Reserve umpire: Asad Rauf (Pak)


2011 துடுப்பாட்ட உலகக்கிண்ணம்: இந்தியா எ. வங்காளதேசம்

2011 துடுப்பட்ட உலகக்கிண்ணப் போட்டிகளின் பி பிரிவின் முதலாவது போட்டியில் இந்திய அணி வங்காளதேச அணியை 87 ஓட்டங்களால் வென்றது. இப்போட்டி வங்காளதேசத்தில் டாக்காவில் சேர்-இ-பங்களா துடுப்பாட்ட அரங்கத்தில் பகல்-இரவுப் போட்டியாக நேற்று இடம்பெற்றது. பூவா தலையா போட்டுப் பார்த்ததில் வெற்றி பெற்ற வங்காள அணி இந்திய அணியை முதலில் முதலில் துடுப்பாட அழைத்தது. இந்தியாவின் வீரேந்தர் சேவாக் 140 பந்துகளில் 175 ஓட்டங்கள் எடுத்தார். இது ஒரு நாள் போட்டிகளில் அவர் எடுத்த அதி கூடிய ஓட்டங்களாகும். தனது முதலாவது ஒரு நாள் ஆட்டத்தை விளையாடிய இந்தியாவின் விராட் கோலி ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் 100 ஓட்டங்களை எடுத்தார். இந்தியா 4 இலக்குகள் இழப்புக்கு 50 ஓவர்களில் 370 ஓட்டங்களைக் குவித்தது.

பதிலுக்கு விளையாடிய வங்காளதேச அணி 50 ஓவர்களில் 9 இலக்குகள் இழப்பிற்கு 283 ஓட்டங்களை எடுத்தது. டாமிம் இக்பால் 86 பந்துகளுக்கு 70 ஓட்டங்களி எடுத்தார். முனாஃவ் பட்டேல் 48 ஓட்டங்கள் கொடுத்து 4 இலக்குகளைக் கைப்பற்றினார்.

வீரேந்தர் சேவாக் ஆட்ட நாயகனாகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார். ஸ்டீவ் டேவிஸ் (ஆத்திரேலியா), குமார் தர்மசேன (இலங்கை) ஆகியோர் நடுவர்களாகப் பணியாற்றினார்கள்.

ஞாயிறு, பெப்ரவரி 20, 2011


2020 Olympics opening ceremony takes place in Tokyo

The 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony took place today in Tokyo's National Stadium in Japan. Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, 23, lit the Olympic flame. Out of a seating capacity of 68,000, only the media and 900 dignitaries were able to watch in person. Originally due to take place in 2020, the games were postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Japanese flag was carried in by athletes and healthcare workers. A moment of silence was then held to remember the victims of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Olympic athletes who had died, including the Israeli athletes who were murdered in 1972. The Olympic cauldron was represented as the sun on top of Japan's Mount Fuji, which then opened like a flower, symbolising "vitality and hope".  The sky above the stadium was then lit by a revolving globe composed of 1,824 drones; this was followed by a performance of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Imagine  by singers John Legend and Keith Urban.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said, "Today is a moment of hope. Yes, it is very different from what all of us had imagined. But let us cherish this moment because finally we are all here together." Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto said, "Here is a vision for the future, one that embodies 'unity in diversity', one of peace and respect for one another" .

There were protests outside the stadium against the Olympics taking place due to the ongoing pandemic. A recent poll by Kyodo News among the Japanese found 32.1% believed the Olympics should be cancelled, and 87% were concerned about it being hosted due to the pandemic.


Malferma ceremonio de la Olimpikaj Ludoj de 2020 okazis en Tokio

La 23-an de julio, vendrede en Tokio, Japanujo okazis la malferma ceremonio ĉe la Nacia Stadiono. La 23-jara japana tenisisto Naomi Osaka enbruligis la Olimpikan flamon. El la 68 000 sidlokoj de la stadiono estis 900 altranguloj kaj la gazetistoj, kiuj povis rigardi la ceremonion proprapersone. La ludoj estis planintaj por la antaŭa jaro, sed la kronvirusa pandemio prokrastis la ludojn.

La flagon portis atletoj kaj sanlaboristoj. Silenta paŭzo okazis por omaĝi la viktimojn de KOVIM-19, la Olimpikajn atletojn, kiuj mortis pro ĝi kaj la israelajn atletojn, kiuj mortis dum la terorsta atako dum la Olimpiko en Munkeno en 1972.

La Olimpika flamejo figuris la sunon sur la Fuĵi-Monto, kiu malfermiĝis kiel floro kaj la flamejo simolbis la "vivemon kaj esperon". 1 824 aviadiloj lumigis la ĉielon sur la stadio. Post, la kantistoj John Legend kaj Keith Urban antaŭkantis "Imagine" de John Lennon kaj Yoko Ono.

Thomas Bach, la prezidanto de la Internacia Olimpika Komitato, diris: "Hodiaŭ estas tempeto de la espero. Jes, ĝi tre malsamas de tio, kion ĉiuj el ni imagis. Sed ni gardu tiun ĉi momenton ĉar fine ni ĉiuj estas tie ĉi kune." La prezidanto de Tokio 2020 Seiko Hashimoto diris: "Jen konceptado por la estonteco, kiu enkorpigas 'unuecon en diverseco', unu pri paco kaj respekto unu al la alia."

Estis protestoj eskter la stadiono kontraŭ la Olimikoj pro la daŭra kronvirusa pandemio. Lastatempa enketo de Kyodo News trovis, ke 32,1% opiniis, ke la Olimpikoj devus esti nuligitaj kaj 87% da enketantoj maltraviliĝas pro tio, ke ili okazas dum la pandemio.


Категория:Церемония открытия летних Олимпийских игр 2020

Церемония открытия летних Олимпийских игр 2020 состоялась вечером в пятницу 23 июля 2021 года на Японском национальном стадионе, в городе Токио. Она стартовала в 20:00 по местному времени (в 14:00 мск). Игры официально открыл император Японии Нарухито. Огонь XXXII летних Олимпийских игр на стадионе зажгла вторая ракетка мира японская теннисистка Наоми Осака.

На церемонии открытия присутствовало 950 официальных лиц, болельщиков же на мероприятие не пустили из-за пандемии коронавируса. Церемонию открытия посетили главы 15 государств и международных организаций.


23rd Southeast Asian Games officially begins November 27

The Philippines will host the 23rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games starting Sunday. The host nation is not just hoping to gain the overall championship, but also seeking to boost its tourism industry. With the venues of the Games spread around the tropical country, officials were taking advantage of the 10-day sporting event to showcase some of the Philippines' best tourist destinations. Some events will be held in the cities of Bacolod and Cebu, and suburbs near Metro Manila. It is also for the first time in the history of the Southeast Asian Games, the opening ceremony will be held in an open-air park instead of in a stadium. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, will lead the nation in welcoming more than 7,000 athletes, officials and members of the participating countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam and the host.

Cebu opened the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games yesterday with pomp and pageantry. The SEA Games welcome ceremony, served as the "appetizer" for the formal opening in Manila.

Security is tight with a 17,000-strong police force on alert to ensure the safety of the thousands of athletes and officials taking part, amid the threat of possible attacks by militants.

The government is also determined to impose a strict smoking ban throughout the duration of 23rd Southeast Asian Games. No one will be allowed to smoke within a 50-meter radius from venues in Metro Manila, Bacolod City, Cebu City, the Subic freeport in Zambales province, Angeles City in Pampanga province, Tagaytay in Cavite province, and Los Baños and Calamba in Laguna province. The ban also covers any form of advertisement of tobacco companies.

A total of 41 events, 441 gold medals are up for grabs, with the Philippine martial art arnis as well as ballroom dancing making their debuts.

The basketball event was cancelled after a dispute involving the Philippines Olympic Council (POC) and Basketball Association of Philippines (BAP), which saw the former expelling the latter. POC and BAP were later embroiled in a court case, which apparently ruled in favour of BAP's reinstatement.

In an unexpected move, representatives of the Philippines' largest Muslim separatist group will attend the opening of the SEA Games as a "goodwill measure", a rebel spokesman said yesterday.

Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said he and four other rebel officials would attend the event to show his group's sincerity in seeking peace in the strife-torn southern region of Mindanao.

However, in the capital, there are hardly any banners to herald the 23rd SEA Games. There is no excitement and even the mascot, the eagle, is nowhere in sight. Inconvenienced and incensed by the treatment, the ten visiting countries blasted hosts Philippines for poor arrangements before the start of the 23rd SEA Games.


23:e SEA Games på Filippinerna

Manila – Den 23:e upplagan av de sydostasiatiska spelen kommer att hållas på Filippinerna med början imorgon söndag. Värdnationen hoppas inte bara på att ta hem totalsegern, man försöker också dra nytta av evenemanget som utspelar sig utöver hela den tropiska nationen för att främja turistindustrin och göra reklam för flera av de mest populära turistdestinationerna. Några av evenemangen kommer att hållas i städerna Bacolod och Cebu förrutom de kring huvudstaden Manila.

Spelen attraherar mer än 7 000 idrottsmän och representanter från Brunei, Cambodja, Indonesien, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Signapore, Thailand, Östtimor, Vietnam och, förstås, Filippinerna. Spelen inleddes stilfullt redan igår i Cebu, men den officiella invigningen äger rum först imorgon i Manila. Säkerheten under evenemanget sköts av omkring 17 000 poliser. Säkerhetsnivå har motiverats av det potentiella hotet från militanta rörelser. Till allas överaskning kommer representanter från Filippinernas största separatistgrupp Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) att närvara vid invigningen. Enligt ett uttalande från organisationens talesman Eid Kabalu kommer han och fyra andra ledare att delta i invigningen för att visa att man menar allvar med sina ansträngningar att uppnå fred i det krigströtta södra delarna av öriket.

Regeeringen har ambitionen att låta ett generellt rökförbud omge alla evenemang, ett förbud som även inkluderar tobaksreklam.

Totalt kommer 41 evenemang äga rum och 441 guldmedaljer delas ut. Bland de nya grenarna i år finn arnis, den filipinska kampsporten. Basket blir det däremot mindre av på grund av en dispyt mellan den nationella olympiska komittén POC och det nationella basketförbundet BAP. POC uteslöt POC men en domstol dömde senare till POC:s favör.

I huvudstaden syntes dock få spår av evenemanget dagen innan invigningen. Inga banderoller på gatorna och maskoten, en örn, var som bortflugen. Bland delegationerna från de tio deltagande nationerna hördes dessutom missnöje kring arrangemangen.


Africans keep the leading position at 2008 Mumbai Marathon

The Standard Chartered Marathon, nicknamed "The Greatest Race on Earth", held its third stage in Mumbai, India today. Because of the scorching hot weather in India, marathon runners had to adapt to the weather to overcome the challenge.

More than 30,000 runners participated in this race, joined by local NGOs and disabled who participated in a special charity short-distance running including 6km dream run, 4.3 km senior, and 2.5km wheel-chair classes. Gabriela Szabo, former Romanian Olympic Gold Medalist, named as charity ambassador of the race, was pleased by the participation from experts and NGOs.

An hour into the race, former champion Daniel Rono and Joseph Kimisi took the lead, but then Tariku Jifar from Ethiopia and defending champion John Ekiru Kelai took over Rono and Kimisi. After 40 kilometres, Kelai took a decisive lead and finally retained his champion title in 2 hours 12 minutes 22 seconds.

In the Women's Group, Mulu Seboka from Ethiopia won the champion with 2H30m03s. Local runners Surendra Singh & Kavita Raut won the Men's and Women's Champions in the half-marathon class.


第五屆渣打孟買馬拉松 肯亞選手續保總排位領先地位

堪稱「世界最強之戰」的「渣打馬拉松」，今日進行孟買站的比賽，而該站在今年是第五次辦理，印度地區的炎熱氣候，加上路線設計被譽為「古印度文明的象徵」，因此全球馬拉松好手，勢必要適應印度的熱帶氣候，才有可能過得了這關。

除了三萬名以上的菁英，參與這項馬拉松盛會，包含當地的非營利組織及身心障礙者，也來參與渣打銀行特別設計的慈善短程路跑，當中有包含4.3公里的長青路跑與2.6公里的輪椅路跑，看到這樣的盛況，獲邀擔任本站比賽大使的羅馬尼亞前女子田徑奧運國手加布列拉·薩博（Gabriela Szabo）也對此感到滿意。

開賽約一小時後，2006年冠軍丹尼爾·朗諾（Daniel Rono）與約瑟夫·金米西（Joseph Kimisi）首先拉出第一領先團，而衣索比亞的塔里庫·吉法（Tariku Jifar）則是趁朗諾開始不穩的時候，和衛冕冠軍，肯亞籍的約翰·克爾萊（John Kelai）從第二領先群竄起，而經過40公里後，克爾萊開始拉開與對手的差距，最終以2小時12分22秒的成績，繼續保住這項比賽的冠軍。

女子組部分，衣索比亞的木魯·塞波卡（Mulu Seboka）則是以2小時30分3秒的成績拿下冠軍，半程馬拉松組則是由索倫達·辛（Surendra Singh）與柯維塔·勞特（Kavita Raut）拿下男女冠軍。


Africans win the 2007 ING Taipei International Marathon

The annual "Taipei International Marathon", mainly sponsored by ING Antai (Taiwan Branch of ING Group NV) in the fourth year, started with more than 20,000 athlete's participation. In order to obey the regulation, Taipei City Government, the race organizer, adopted the "ChampionChip" timer system for participants at 9KM, half-marathon, and marathon classes. Comparison to last year, the starting control was apparently better than last year.

Not only intensive races from 42k, 21k, and 9k classes, ING Antai also invited the main actors Hung-yu Yu and Chia-chia Tsui from the local TV advertisement named "Run with your father" to the Fun Run lead-running.

In the Kids Run class, the participants included in not only qualified school teams from "ING Taipei Kids Running" last month but also students outside of Taipei. Although the organizer invited athletes from Basketball Teams of Taipei Municipal Sung Shan Senior High School and Taipower Women Basketball Team to help the security control, some participants were still fallen down after the starts, it forced some runners quit this race.

Media from Taiwan and worldwide hoped runners can make a new record at this race, but only Taiwanese runners broke local records at this race because the actual strength was uncertain after different elite runners than past years participated this race. Finally, Hillary Bett from Kenya and Tabitha Tsatsa from Zimbabwe won the title at this race, and Yu-fang Hsu and Wen-chien Wu broke records of local runners to win the Taiwan Champions.

In the after-race press conference, Wikinews Reporter Rico Shen made a brief interview for Bett and Tsatsa about images of Taiwan. They praised the friendship on people of Taiwan and scenery during the full-marathon races. They also hoped their fellow runners can participate this race in the future to enjoy scenery of Taipei.


2007年ING台北國際馬拉松 非洲選手包辦男女總冠軍

一年一度，並且是第四年由ING安泰人壽贊助的「台北國際馬拉松」，今日上午六時開幕，兩萬名以上的競賽選手，也在七點鐘準時起跑，並根據國際標準，採用「ChampionChip」晶片計時器，以維持比賽的公正性，雖然所有選手的出發花了20分鐘左右完成，但與去年相比，起跑的秩序明顯改善不少。

除了激烈的競賽組以外，今年，為了配合廣告「帶爸爸來跑」的主題，主辦單位特別邀請廣告內的父女檔主角于鴻裕及女兒崔家加，帶領現場參與的選手，一同體驗三公里路跑的樂趣，也深獲現場十餘萬參與者的好評。

而在兒童組比賽中，除了校際盃路跑賽中，晉級的校隊以外，今年，中南部的學童也前來參與這項盛會，雖然主辦單位邀請松山高中與台電女籃隊進行人牆的安全維護，但是在起跑後，仍舊出現與去年相同，跌倒引起混亂的狀況，部分選手也因此被迫退賽。

比賽歸比賽，但眾多國內外媒體期待的「成績破紀錄」，卻只出現在台灣組冠軍身上，而非總冠軍，當中，菁英選手陣容的改變，確實對比賽影響甚鉅，最終，肯亞的Hillary Bett與辛巴威的Tabitha Tsatsa分別拿下本屆馬拉松賽的男女冠軍，而吳文騫與許玉芳，則是以破紀錄的姿態摘下台灣組的男女冠軍。

在賽後記者會中，兩位非洲的冠軍選手接受記者Rico Shen問及台灣印象時，他們對於台灣人的友善以及比賽路線的沿途風景都讚譽有加，更表示未來也會希望自己或同胞的選手可以來台灣參賽。


Albert Pujols ends his worst homerun drought

Dominican baseball player Albert Pujols earned his first home run after joining the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Besides hitting his 446th Major League home run, Pujols ended a personal drought by claiming his first regular-season long ball after 33 games and 139 plate appearances, including his last St. Louis Cardinals at-bats. Pujols snapped back at Anaheim and capped a 4-3 home-team win against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

The Dominican first baseman now has a career 1,336 runs batted in and a .326 batting average. Previously, Pujols had played for St. Louis for 11 seasons.

Since playing for the Angels, Pujols has been booed by Anaheim fans after his hits slipped to a .194 average over the past month. Pujols came to his new team with high expectations after signing a contract worth US$240 million.

For his part, Pujols offered the following explanation for his performance: "This game is about making adjustments and being patient..."


Albert Pujols termina con su peor racha sin cuadrangular

6 de mayo de 2012Anaheim, California, Estados Unidos — El beisbolista dominicano Albert Pujols logró su primer cuadrangular luego de aceptar su contrato con los Angelinos de Anaheim; además de ser su home run número 446 en las Grandes Ligas, es el primer jonrón en una fase regular luego de 33 partidos y 139 turnos al bate, incluyendo sus últimos turnos con los Cardenales de San Luis.

El fin de dicha sequía se produce en el triunfo como local de la escuadra de Anaheim frente al equipo canadiense de los Azulejos de Toronto por 4-3 en el Angel Stadium of Anaheim.


Tour de France: Alberto Contador wins stage 14

Alberto Contador of Spain has won stage 14 of the 2007 Tour de France. Michael Rasmussen of Denmark came in second and extended his overall lead by 2' 04'  over Cadel Evans of Australia. Contador moves into second ahead of Evans and 2' 23" behind Rasmussen.

Contador and Rasmussen had an animated discussion about how to share the workload up the final climb. Contador was happy to sit behind the yellow jersey-wearing Rasmussen, and pass him in the final sprint for the finish-line. The Dane had hoped for more help in setting the pace and extending his overall lead.

The winner of yesterday's time trial, Alexandre Vinokourov, did not have a good day. Andreas Klöden will likely now be the leader for Astana Team.

This stage took the race into the Pyrenees. This stage starts with a category 2 climb out of Mazamet and then follows a relatively calm route via Carcassonne, Limoux and Quillan before taking on the Port de Pailhères (17 km at 7.2%) and a very difficult finish at Plateau-de-Beille (16 km at 7.9%).

Tomorrow's 196 km stage should be one of the major stages of the Tour, with no fewer than five major mountain passes - including the Col de Port, the Col de Portet d'Aspet (5.7 km climb at 6.9%), the Col de Menté (7.0 km climb at 8.1%), the Port de Balès (19.5 km at 6.2%), (the first time this climb has featured in the Tour), and finally the Col de Peyresourde (9.7 km climb at 7.8%) with a downhill finish in Loudenvielle. This exhausting stage will be followed by a day of rest.


2007-07-22: Alberto Contador wygrał 14. etap Tour de France 2007

Zwycięstwem Hiszpana Alberto Contadora (Discovery Channel) zakończył się 14. etap wyścigu Tour de France z Mazamet do Plateau-de-Beille (197 km). Na metę lider klasyfikacji młodzieżowców wjechał wraz z dotychczasowym liderem - Duńczykiem Michaelem Rasmusenem (Rabobank), który zachował żółtą koszulkę lidera. Trzecie miejsce zajął Kolumbijczyk Maurico Soler (Barloworld).

Podjazdy:
9.0 km - Côte de Saint-Sarraille - 9.0 km przy śr. 5.3 % - 2 kat.
146.5 km - Port de Pailhères - 16.8 km przy śr.7.2 % - HC kat.
197.0 km - Plateau-De-Beille - 15.9 km przy śr.7.9 % - HC kat.

Już od początku dzisiejszego etapu rozpoczęły się ucieczki zawodników na podjeździe Côte de Saint-Saraille (2 kat.). Premię wygrał David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval), przed Maurico Solerem (Barloworld) oraz Yaroslavem Popovychem (Discovery Channel). Na zjeździe do Carcassone (pierwsza premia lotna) z przodu uformowała się 27-osobowa grupa (Arroyo, Gutierrez, Portal, Kirchen, Voigt, Rasmussen, Gadret, Zubeldia, Azanza, Perez, Txurruka, Verdugo, Le Mével, Paulinho, Popowitsch, Fédrigo, Lefèvre, Mercado, Kuschinski, Vaugrenard, Barredo, Garate, Colom, Navarro, De la Fuente, Siutsou, Soler), która po przejechaniu 19,5 km miała 0'55 przewagi nad peletonem. Warto zaznaczyć obecność w tej grupce aż 13 hiszpańskich zawodników.

Następnie na ucieczkę zdecydowała się szóstka kolarzy - Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne), Ruben Perez Moreno i Amets Txurruka (obaj Euskaltel - Euskadi), Aleksandr Kuchynski (Liquigas), Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) oraz Antonio Colom (Astana Team). Szybko zaczęli budować sporą przewagę, która na 63 km wynosiła 11'20.

Jeszcze przed rozpoczęciem podjazdu na Port de Pailhères z czołowej grupy odpadł Kuschynski. Peleton prowadziła ekipa Saunier Duval. Pierwsze oznaki słabości zaczął odczuwać Aleksander Winokourow (Astana). Z prowadzącej piątki odpadł Barredo, premię najwyższej kategorii wygrał Perez (20 pkt), przed Txurruką, Colomem i Gutierrezem. W tym momencie odpadający zawodnik Quick Stepu tracił do nich 1'05, a z peletonu na wyścig po 10 pkt zdecydował się vice-lider klasyfikacji górskiej Soler, który tym samym objął prowadzenie w tymże rankingu. Za nim jechała grupa lidera Rasmussena.

Na 25 km do mety ucieczka miała 3'20 przewagi nad peletonem, który prowadził holenderski Rabobank. Daleko w tyle zostali m.in. Christophe Moreau (Ag2r), Iban Mayo (Saunier Duval), Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) czy Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne). Po pierwszych kilometrach Plateau-De-Beille z przodu został już tylko Colom. Za nim zaś jechali: Carlos Sastre (Team CSC), Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto), Michael Boogerd i Michael Rasmussen (obaj Rabobank), Levi Leipheimer, Alberto Contador i Yaroslav Popovych (wszyscy Discovery Channel), Andrey Kashechkin i Andreas Klöden (obaj Astana) oraz Maurico Soler. Z tyłu został m.in. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), który wspierany przez Arroyo i Pereiro starał się zbyt dużo nie stracić do zwycięzcy etapu.

Na 5 km do mety z 30-sekundowym zapasem nad uciekającymi Rasmussenem i Contadorem jechał Colom. W kolejnej grupce jechała trójka kolarzy - Sastre, Leipheimer, Soler i Evans. Dalej własnym tempem podążali: Klöden i Kashechkin. Na 3 km do mety prowadzenie stracił zawodnik Astany kosztem Rasmussena i Contadora. Tymczasem z tyłu osłabł Evans, który dołączył do astańskiego duetu.

Ostatnie metry Contador jechał z tyłu by następnie finiszować. Drugie miejsce przypadło Rasmussenowi, a trzecie Maurico Solera.

Straty zawodników uważanych do niedawna za faworytów: Winokourow str. 28'50 (81. miejsce), Iban Mayo str. 9'31 (35. miejsce), Denis Menchov str. 11'00 (37. miejsce), Frank Schleck str. 16'55 (62. miejsce), Linus Gerdemann str. 28'50 (76. miejsce), Christophe Moreau str. 34'52 (135. miejsce), Felix Cardenas str. 34'52 (151. miejsce).


Tour de France: Alberto Contador wins the grand tour

Alberto Contador of Spain has won the 2007 Tour de France general classification. He won by 23 seconds over Cadel Evans of Australia. Third place went Contador's team mate Levi Leipheimer of United States, 31 seconds behind. As a young rider, Contador also gets the white jersey to go with his yellow.

Tom Boonen of Belgium wins the green jersey points classification over Robert Hunter and Erik Zabel.

Mauricio Soler of Colombia wins the King of the Mountains classification over Contador and Yaroslav Popovych.

Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team won the team competition over Caisse d'Epargne by 19' 36" and Team CSC by 22' 10'.

Daniele Bennati of Italy won the final stage 20 in a time of 3h 51' 03". The final 146 km stage saw the riders leave from Marcoussis to enter to complete the eight laps of the traditional circuit around the Champs-Élysées.

George Hincapie was given the honor of leading his team and the peloton onto the Champs-Élysées, as he has now guided team mates to victory a record eight times.


Résultat final du Tour de France 2007

Le Tour de France 2007 se termine par la victoire du coureur espagnol Alberto Contador de l'équipe Discovery Channel lors de la dernière étape de Marcoussis aux Champs-Élysées. Le prix du meilleur grimpeur est remporté par le colombien Juan Mauricio Soler Hernández. Le belge Tom Boonen gagne le prix du sprint (maillot vert). Le prix du meilleur jeune (maillot blanc) est également remporté par Contador.

La vingtième et dernière étape du tour s'est déroulée entre Marcoussis en Essonne et les Champs-Élysées à Paris.  L'étape a été remportée par l'Italien Daniele Bennati.


Daniele Bennati wygrał 20. etap Tour de France 2007, Contador zwycięzcą klasyfikacji generalnej

Sprinterski etap uwieńczony metą na Polach Elizejskich w Paryżu zakończył się zwycięstwem Daniele Bennatiego z ekipy Lampre-Fondital . W walce na ostatnich metrach pokonał on Thora Hushovda z Credit Agricole  i Erika Zabela z Milram . Zwycięstwo w całym wyścigu odniósł młody Hiszpan Alberto Contador z Discovery Channel .

Na trasę ostatniej odsłony w 94. Tour de France kolarze wyruszyli z miejscowości Marcoussis i pokonali w spacerowym tempie 146-kilometrowy odcinek. Wiele osób spodziewało się, że etap ten wcale może nie być etapem przyjaźni, a na trasie dojdzie do prób ataku pozycji lidera przez Cadela Evansa i Leviego Leipheimera. Nic takiego jednak nie miało miejsca i tradycji stało się zadość – peleton w przyjaznej atmosferze dotarł do stolicy Francji, a na ostatnich metrach rozegrała się jedynie walka o zwycięstwo etapowe.

Kolarzom pokonującym ostatni etap tegorocznej Pętli wcale się nie spieszyło — przez pierwszą godzinę peleton przejechał niespełna 30 kilometrów, a i kolejne nie były pokonywane szybciej. Również na premiach wyznaczonych na trasie nie było walki o punkty; na dwóch premiach górskich IV kategorii najlepszy okazał się sprinter Gert Steegmans (Quick Step), który nie ukrywał swojego zadowolenia z tego powodu.

Tuż przed wjazdem do Paryża peleton miał prawie godzinną stratę w stosunku do założonego przez organizatorów harmonogramu, jednak po wjechaniu do miasta tempo znacznie wzrosło. Na ośmiu wieńczących tegoroczny tour rundach (po 6,5km każda), wyznaczonych zgodnie z tradycją na Champs-Elysées, na czoło grupy zasadniczej wysunęli się zawodnicy ekipy Discovery Channel, a pierwszy o atak pokusił się Freddy Bichot (Agritubel). W tym momencie zabawa rozpoczęła się na dobre.

Na prowadzenie wyszła grupa dziesięciu zawodników, w której znaleźli się: Iván Gutiérrez (Caisse d'Epargne), Nicolas Portal (Caisse d'Epargne), Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank), Simon Gerrans (Ag2r), Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), Anthony Charteau (Crédit Agricole), Murilo Fischer (Liquigas), Mickaël Delage (Française Des Jeux) oraz Christian Kenes (Milram). Grupa ta wypracowała około 30-sekundową przewagę nad resztą stawki. Tempo w grupie zasadniczej zaczęła nadawać ekipa Thora Hushovda — Crédit Agricole, która chcąc doprowadzić do zwycięstwa swojego zawodnika, dość szybko odrobiła stratę do uciekinierów.

Ostatecznie akcja zaczepna została zakończona na 6 kilometrów przed metą i do finiszu przygotowywali się sprinterzy. Prym wiodła grupa Lampre, której wtórowali zawodnicy Quick Stepu. Ostatecznie zwycięstwo na etapie kończącym Tour odniósł Włoch Daniele Bennati z Lampre, drugi był Norweg Hushovd, a na pozycji trzeciej dojechał Niemiec Erik Zabel z Team Milram.

Belg Tom Boonen (Quick Step) dojechał na 5. pozycji, dzięki czemu zachował prowadzenie w klasyfikacji punktowej i na paryskim podium założył zieloną koszulkę najlepszego sprintera. Zwycięstwo w klasyfikacji górskiej odniósł Kolumbijczyk Mauricio Soler Hernandez z Barloworld, a najaktywniejszym kolarzem całego touru okazał się być Bask Amets Txurruka Ansola z Euskaltel-Euskadi. Zwycięstwo w klasyfikacji generalnej odniósł Alberto Contador z ekipy Discovery Channel, który jednocześnie zwyciężył w klasyfikacji młodzieżowej. Po raz pierwszy w historii La Grande Boucle różnice dzielące pierwszą trójkę wyścigu są tak małe: Hiszpan wyprzedził Evansa o 23 sekundy, a Leipheimera o kolejne 8.


Tour de France: Alexander Vinokourov fails blood test

Astana Team announced today that Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan failed a blood test following his victory in Saturday's time trial.

"Vino has tested positive having to do with a blood transfusion, and the team is leaving the Tour," team spokesperson Corinne Druey said. Vinokourov also won yesterday's stage.

"There is the presence of a double population of haematids, which implies there has been a blood transfusion with homological blood," read an Astana Team statement. "Tour organizers have asked Astana Cycling Team to leave the race, which has been accepted spontaneously."

Astana manager Marc Biver declared: "Vino denies any blood manipulation. He says after his crash on July 12, there may be blood anomalies." He added that his team was in shock after the events.

Vinokourov was a pre-Tour favorite, but despite winning two stages, he has dropped out of contention. However, Astana Team, which has now withdrawn, had two other riders in the top ten, Andreas Klöden, fifth overall, and Andrey Kashechkin, eighth overall.

Pat McQuaid, president of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) told Reuters: "I cannot comment on this until the result of the B sample's analysis."

"Jesus Christ, I'm speechless," said David Millar of the United Kingdom, who rides for Saunier Duval-Prodir. "It makes me sad. I have the impression the riders will never understand."

When asked if the Tour was too hard on the cyclists, Tour director Christian Prudhomme told reporters that "You do not cheat because it is too hard, you cheat because you want to be first."


Astana wycofała się z Tour de France 2007 po stwierdzeniu dopingu u Winokurowa

Kazachska grupa kolarska Astana wycofała się z Tour de France po tym jak u lidera grupy - Aleksandra Winokurowa stwierdzono pozytywny wynik badania dopingowego przeprowadzonego po wygraniu przez niego sobotniego etapu jazdy indywidualnej na czas.

Próbka krwi kolarza, którą przebadano w Châtenay-Malabry, dowodzi, iż zawodnik tuż przed etapem przeszedł transfuzję krwi. Próbka zawierała dwa różne typy czerwonych krwinek, co oznacza, że Kazach miał przetoczoną krew od innej osoby. Próbki pobrane wczoraj na mecie wciąż są analizowane.

"Zgodnie z regulaminem Winokourow został zawieszony przez zespół w trybie natychmiastowym. Analizie zostanie poddana próbka B. Astana Team wezwana została do opuszczenia wyścigu, tak się też stało" - napisali w oświadczeniu organizatorzy Tour de France.

"To jest pomyłka. Nigdy nie stosowałem dopingu. To nie w moim stylu, w jakim wykonuje swój zawód. Wszystko zaczęło się już przed paroma miesiącami. Teraz chcą mnie zniszczyć. To jest wstyd w taki sposób opuścić Tour. Jednak nie chciałem tracić czasu w trakcie wyścigu i domniemywać swojej niewinności" - powiedział Aleksander Winokourow dziennikowi L'Equipe.

"Po południu dotarła do nas informacja na temat Aleksandra Winokourowa. Jako iż doping krwi jest zabroniony kolarz ten zostaje z urzędu zwolniony z zespołu i wysłany do domu. Aleksander zaprzecza ciągle temu, że praktykuje doping krwi. Powiedział mi, że anomalia krwi spowodowana jest kraksą" - powiedział Marc Biver (szef Astany).

"Zostałem zdradzony. Ogromnie teraz żałuję tego, że dopuściłem Astanę do Tour de France" - stwierdził Patrice Clerc (ASO)

"Jaka odwaga! Jak można wpaść na dopingu krwią, który można tak łatwo udowodnić. Wycofanie się Astany z wyścigu jest odpowiednią reakcją. Tour wciąż cierpi" - powiedział Hans-Michael Holczer, szef Gerolsteiner.

"To jest zbrodnia na kolarstwie. Jestem bardzo zmieszany. Cały ten sport utrzymuje się teraz z samych kłamstw i oszustów. Wycofanie Astany jest dobrym ruchem, ponieważ Winokurow zgrzeszył przeciwko kolarstwu. Jak dla mnie to dwa lata to za mało na dyskwalifikacje. Powinno być dożywocie! Tour musi jechać dalej, ponieważ gdyby zawieszono wyścig, to byłoby złamanie karku dla kolarstwa" - Klaus Angermann (komentator TV, 41-krotnie brał udział w Tour de France).

"Wszelkie podejrzenia dopingowe mają za duży rozgłos w prasie. Tak samo było na Giro i tak samo jest teraz. W szczególności prasa we Francji jest bardzo agresywnie nastawiona przeciwko kolarzom" - Theo de Rooy, szef Rabobanku.

Jedynym pocieszeniem jest to, że kontrole dopingowe funkcjonują prawidłowo" - Linus Gerdemann, T-Mobile.

"Nie komentuje tej sprawy do czasu wyników próbki B." - Pat McQuaid, prezydent UCI.

"Mam nadzieję, że Vinokourov nie będzie tchórzem i się przyzna. Powinien poinformować wszystkich, kto w tym całym świństwie brał udział, ponieważ tego samemu się nie robi. Wszystkich zapewniał, że dr Ferrari pomaga mu tylko przy ustalaniu treningów. Mówił także, że dzięki bólowi ma większą motywację. O nas Francuzach powiedział, że jesteśmy za leniwi. Teraz pokazał, że jest świntuchem, który swoimi praktykami wgłębia kolarstwo w coraz to głębsze zło" - Eric Boyer, szef Cofidisu.