Saturday, 25 May 2013

Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund endured a frustrating final day to ... - Bundesliga - official website

Dortmund - Unusually, very little went right for Borussia Dortmund in their final competitive test ahead of the biggest game in the club's recent history.

The Yellow Blacks slumped to a 2-1 defeat against survival-chasing 1899 Hoffenheim, Robert Lewandowski was pipped to the top goalscorer's award by Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Stefan Kießling and Mats Hummels had to be withdrawn with injury, potentially endangering his appearance in next weekend's UEFA Champions League final against FC Bayern Munich. All in all, it couldn't have gone much worse for Jürgen Klopp's team.

And yet for long periods of Saturday's action, such an ending seemed inconceivable. Lewandowski had put Dortmund in front inside six minutes with his 24th goal of the season, taking him level with Kießling. However, BVB then spurned a host of chances to let Hoffenheim back into the game and, after two recklessly conceded penalties, the second of which led to a red card for goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, Hoffenheim were 2-1 in front.

"We didn't make the most of the chances we had and that's what really annoys me," commented head coach Klopp after the game. His players might yet have scraped a point - and condemned Hoffenheim to relegation - had Marcel Schmelzer's strike not been ruled out for an offside flag, but the footballing gods had deserted BVB and 2-1 it remained.

This was after Hummels had been substituted from the action after turning awkwardly on his ankle, an injury that will have the medical team sweating over his fitness ahead of next Saturday's Wembley showpiece. His ankle ligaments are not believed to be torn, though, and chief medical officer Dr. Markus Braun rated his chances of featuring next week as 'not unrealistic'. Still, it was hardly positive news, especially with star attacker Mario Götze already a doubt.

Meanwhile, news filtered through that Kießling had scored late on for Leverkusen at Hamburger SV, taking him to 25 for the season, one more than Lewandowski. The Polish striker was understandably disappointed, not only at the result but also at missing out on winning the Torjägerkanone. "That's unfortunate as I would like to have won it," said the 24-year-old. "You never know - I might win it next season."

As the former Lech Poznan man explained, however, there are more important things on the players' minds than individual gongs, namely Wembley next week. "It's no use talking about [the Hoffenheim] game. What matters now is the final and that's what we're concentrating on," added Lewandowski, adamant that the result will bear no relevance to the clash with Bayern.

"Neither this game, nor the draw against Wolfsburg will be in our heads when we take to the pitch. What's done is done. The final will be a totally different game, you can be sure of that."

Link: The UEFA will prevent an Espana-gibraltar to avoid that it be used "for political ends"

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Critique - Goal.com India

After the spectacular revelation of his summer proceed to Bayern Munich for a price of a37m, all eyes will be on Mario Gotze. Meanwhile, Sven Bender and Ilkay Gundogan might find off competition from former Blancos midfielder Nuri Sahin and club leader Sebastian Kehl to begin in the center of the park, with Jakub Blaszczykowski favored to Kevin Grosskreutz on the wing. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have a couple of damage concerns before their visit to the Westfalenstadion. With Alvaro Arbeloa stopped, Sergio Ramos will begin at right-back, with Pepe and Raphael Varane at the center of the protection. Marcelo features a hamstring affect, meaning Fabio Coentrao begins at left-back. Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho's men may well be more or less at full strength, though Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are medical slight injuries. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in the Champions League in 2013. He wants three more to match Lionel Messi's total from last year.

Link: The father of Neymar says that "novel" of his move "is over"

5 Things That Could Go Wrong for Miami Heat Between Now and NBA Finals

Frank Vogel's club gave Erik Spoelstra's bunch some serious problems in the 2012 conference semifinals, and it could do it again as a unit built to compete with the Heat.

Chris Bosh and LeBron James aren't going to get many easy opportunities in the paint, but offense might not be their biggest issue.

If Hibbert and West, along with bench bruiser Tyler Hansbrough, can pound the rock on the low block, Miami could get into some foul trouble.

Will it be enough to bounce the Heat from the postseason? Maybe. Even if it isn't, it's going to make Miami's trip to the finals a bumpy one.

Via: The UEFA admits to Gibraltar as a full member

Philadelphia Eagles: What kind of an Impact Will Felix Jones Have got in 2013?

That Philadelphia Eagles have decided to a one-year deal using running back Felix Jones, the team announced Wednesday.

Jones might join a crowded backfield of which already includes LeSean McCoy, Bryce Browning, Chris Polk, Miguel Maysonet and Matthew Tucker. Jones is mostly a former first-round pick with the Dallas Cowboys, although he never lived close to expectations the team had for him.

Jones averaged a stunning 8. 9 yards per carry on 30 carries as some sort of rookie, then led the league by having a 5. 9 average being a second-year player. He struggled to turn into a full-time back though, topping out at 185 carries in 2010. Jones' lifetime 4. 8 yards per carry average is among the most better numbers among lively running backs, and he should still be ready to produce in a part-time position in '13.

Jones will tackle Brown for a copy spot, as McCoy is still the star of that show. Jones seems as a logical fit for Food Kelly's offense, as they possesses the speed Kelly cherishes in his players. Jones was timed in the 4. 37 40-yard dash appearing out of college.

He is a solid receiver out from the backfield as well. He's averaged 34 receptions and 312 gardens per campaign since 2010. Your backfield with McCoy, Jones and Brown contains the potential to lead a NFL in rushing back yards, especially with Michael Vick from quarterback.

Jones' one-year deal for only $715, 000 should leave him with something to help prove. He's still just 26 yoa with only 569 career persists his body.

Jones watched his yards per have average drop to merely 3. 6 last 365 days, by far a very own worst. That may have had something about the Dallas Cowboys' bothersome line, a unit that included a slew of subpar players to the interior.

McCoy will receive the majority of the carries in Kelly's run-first the offense, which should amount to a career year. Brown's touches is based solely on his ability to hold onto the hockey (four fumbles in 115 initiatives last year). Jones ought to be a lock to conquer out Polk, an undrafted out of law school free agent from '12.

The only other competition comes from a couple undrafted players from earlier this draft class in Maysonet and additionally Tucker.

The Jones signing may end up a pleasant surprise for the Eagles. He will probably get from about 50-100 carries plus 20-30 gets.

It's a low-risk tackle a potentially high compensation. If it doesn't work out, the Eagles can lower ties in training camp and still put forth a excellent backfield with McCoy together with Brown. If it works out, maybe Jones could possibly be piece to push the Eagles to a playoff spot.

More Info: 'Green carpet', new blog about soccer in the participation section

Getty Images Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images 4 hours ago - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Carlos Tevez of Manchester City and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on April 21, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) less&nbsp

Via: Hakkinen: "it would be logical that Red Bull out for Räikkönen"

WTA Expedition Prize Money Leaders since May 20, 2013.

[1] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – $3, 247, 084[2] Serena Williams (USA) – $2, 751, 481[3] Nancy Sharapova (RUS) – $2, 537, 411[4] Na Li (CHN) – $1, 560, 897[5] Sara Errani (ITA) – $1, 367, 457

Link: Death of Antonio Puchades 'tonico', a myth of the Valencia

Friday, 24 May 2013

Audra Miller Decommits from The southwest: Gators Lose No. 3 All around OLB Recruit.

Decommitments happen regularly in the world associated with college football recruiting, but also for Florida, the loss of 4-star out of linebacker Christian Miller isn't something to gloss across.

Miller is ranked being the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2014 class, and he's the No. 1 player with the state of South Carolina, using the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Keep in mind that Florida will be simply fine, but losing this commitment is a loss for Will Muschamp and his people. He would have ended up a talented player for ones Gators.

Miller is 6'4'', 215 fat, and he runs your 4. 71 40-yard sprint, according to 247Sports. He's got the combination of size and speed that you really look for in an out of doors linebacker, and he comes with great potential.

All that talked about, Florida's 2014 class stands in eight recruits, and it's still extremely early with the recruiting cycle.

The Gators even now have defensive commitments with 4-star defensive tackle Anthony Moten along with 3-star cornerback Duke Dawson, and they're in the running with regard to big defensive recruits just like 5-star defensive end Gerald Willis (top three), 4-star outside the house linebacker Dwight Williams (leader) in addition to 4-star defensive end Trent Harris (top four)

"I feel like I should consider some schools that I will now have been in a position to seen earlier (on endorsed visits), and also I wish to make sure I made the appropriate place for me together with my future, instead of just by a specific coach or even scheme, " Miller talked about.

That does not necessarily mean Will Muschamp and his staff can't regain the services for the standout pass rusher later on. Miller, who made 121 tackles, 14 sacks, 21 tackles for great loss and forced four fumbles as a junior, said he is considering all schools at this moment, making the Gators considerably still in the merge.

For what it's worthy of though, Alabama and Tennessee at this moment listed as the two teams along with Miller's 247Sports interest report.

Going back to the positives, Florida still has the commitment of 5-star jogging back Dalvin Cook, along with offensively, the Gators are poised to bring in a talented school. That should be far more exciting considering the protective haul from last action.

This is without question a noteworthy decommitment, but feel free to look forward to the future, as it is really rather bright.

Note: Just about all scouting and analysis of Miller done via recorded argument study of film given on his 247Sports account page. Recruit interests also consistent with 247Sports.

Via: The Spaniards Pablo Andujar and Albert Montañés reach the semifinals in the tournament in Nice