VIDEO: IBRAHIMOVIC FREE KICK GOAL AGAINST ZARAGOZA

Are the Lakers the 3rd best team in the NBA?

ESPN's John Hollinger has the Celtics listed as his number 1 team in the Hollinger's Power Rankings. This is despite the fact that the Lakers have the best record in the NBA and swept the season series from the Celtics. So, where does Hollinger rank L.A.? Are they listed as the second best team in the NBA? No, that honor belongs to the Orlando Magic. The Magic have lost four more games than the Lakers and are not even one of the top two teams in the East. Hollinger has the Lakers! are listed as the third best team in the NBA.

That's ridiculous! I can't believe that he still has the Lakers ranked 3rd after the week that they just had. The Lakers are clearly the best team in the NBA as their 7-0 road trip confirmed. They lost their starting center and still managed to defeat the 2 best teams in the Eastern conference on their home court. Do you think the Celtics could beat the Lakers in L.A. without one of the big three? Could Orlando run off the stretch of wins that the Lakers just did? I doubt it. At least Marc Stein has his head on straight. He has moved the Lakers up from number 4 team to his number 1 team after this past we! ek.

The Lakers are playing the best basketball in the NBA and are the hottest team going into the All Star break. If they continue playing at their current level there is no reason that they will not be the favorites going into the NBA playoffs.

Ryan, Lilly and Wambach

We have learned that allegedly Greg Ryan's decision to drop Solo and replace her with Scurry may have been more than just agreed to by Lilly and Wambach, and the change may actually have been instigated by Lilly and Wambach.
If true, that of course would shed some light on Solo's banishment and Lilly and Wambach's support of Ryan in the aftermath.

We understand that there is a split among squad members between 12 younger players who continue in their support of Solo and 6 senior players who sided with Lilly, Wambach and Ryan.
During a team meeting it was agreed to put the differences aside and to focus on becoming "the third greatest team you have never heard of."

It appears that Ryan maybe influenced if not outright led by the senior players and thus his bizarre player changes and behavior.

Ultimately, in our opinion, his coaching credibility has been destroyed and his ability to lead greatly compromised.

Ottawa 3, Jersey Sky Blue 2

Playing in front of their largest crowd of the season, the Ottawa Fury prevailed over the Jersey Sky Blue 3-2 in W-League exhibition play. Two goals from Annie Hamel and a third from Carmelina Moscato put the Fury into a three goal lead. A lead they would need as Sky Blue battled back with two goals from Casey Noguiera.

Ryan Names Roster For Showdown with Chinese Taipei

GOALKEEPERS (2): Briana Scurry, Hope Solo
DEFENDERS (6): Lori Chalupny, Tina Frimpong, Stephanie Lopez, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone
MIDFIELDERS (5): Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Marci Miller, Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner
FORWARDS (5): Danesha Adams, Kristine Lilly, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsay Tarpley, Abby Wambach.

F1 : Barrichello not ready to retire from Formula 1

Wednesday, 02 April 2008

Rubens Barrichello thinks he has another two or three seasons of formula one racing in him.

The 35-year-old is already the most experienced driver on the grid, who, according to some statisticians, will equal Riccardo Patrese's all-time record of 256 grands prix this weekend in Bahrain.

But the Brazilian, whose Honda contract runs out at the end of the year, told the online magazine GPWeek that 2008 is not his F1 swan song.

"It's not my final year," Barrichello said. "I want to fini! sh my career with more than 300 grands prix and slick tyres, all that!"

Chelsea slip up

Chelsea are still in a good position to qualify for the Champions League semi finals - according to midfielder Michael Ballack.

Avram Grant's team lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce in last night's quarter final first leg.

Ballack told Sky Sports News they must learn some important lessons ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge...

Natalino sets up camp

Just when did Joel Santana become Joel Natalino Santana?

On all media releases from SAFA, the new Bafana Bafana coach's middle name is given prominence - maybe he prefers it that way, but what's up with that?

Carlos Alberto Parreira has always been called that and has never been referred to as merely Carlos Parreira during his illustrious coaching career, maybe SAFA thinks it's fitting to stick to the script, since Santana is Parreira's personally chosen successor.

Anyway, Natalino will address the media again today for the start of the Bafana training camp in Johannesburg. His assistants Pitso Mosimane and Jairo Leal will also be there along with skipper Aaron Mokoena.

Nadal the Wimbledon favourite?

Rafael Nadal must feel like this could be the year that he dethrones Roger Federer at Wimbledon. He demolished Federer in the French Open final and seems to have the edge over the world number one at the moment, but grass is a very different surface to clay. Nadal will need to draw on all his shots and come to the net more often if he wants to take Federer's treasured title away from him.

Former Wimbledon legend Bjorn Borg has already picked Nadal as his winner at the London event which starts next week. He says for him the great Federer is only third in line - after Novak Djokovic.

SA Win Toss, Bat First

The Proteas won the toss and chose to bat first on the first day of the fourth and final test against England at the Oval.

South Africa will field an unchanged side from the one who clinched the series at Edgebaston last week. England have made some changes, with former captain Michael Vaughan dropping out after relinquishing the captaincy. Stuart Broad has been included after being left out for the third test while Steve Harmison returns to the England setup after a lengthy layoff.

Breede Favourites win it!

Hank McGregor and Dawid Mocke won the Canon Breede River Canoe Marathon, and with it the national K2 river championships, in a thrilling race on a flooded Breede river.

The race was ultimate decided by a tactical gamble in the closing minutes of the race.

Racing against two determined local crews of Heinrich Schloms and Ernest Van Riet and Paul Marais and Greg Barnard, McGregor and Mocke opted for a slightly wider channel shortly after negotiating the Swellendam weir, while the two Cape crews gambled on a smaller sneak channel on the inside.

"After finishing the first day we came and tripped the last six kilometres because we knew that is where the race would be decided," said McGregor. "The channel we took was wider but faster, and when we saw the Cape guys going for the sneak we went for it and got a twenty meter lead which we pushed to around eighty metres and then managed to keep that lead all the way to the finish."
The returning Olympians Jen Hodson and Carol Joyce wrapped up the women's title. The pair raced alone for virtually the entire race to secure the SA K2 women medals. Joyce said afterwards that their title would have more meaning had they been able to race Alexa Cole and Donia Kamstra, who elected to race in the open class and were not included in the closed women's race that carried tough rules preventing the women's crews from riding the slip waves of male paddlers around them.

Breakfast Headlines

Nashua Cape Cobras fast bowler Monde Zondeki says they're hoping to do well in the Supersport Series for a change. He's one of five players who received the Mutual & Federal Cricketers of the Year award. Brothers Albie and Morne Morkel, spinner Johan Botha and fast bowler Dillon du Preez were the other names announced at a banquet in Johannesburg last night. Zondeki took the most wickets in the Supersport Series last year and says he's hoping for some lively wickets this season.

***
India have thrashed Australia by 320 runs in the second test in Mohali. Zaheer Khan took three wickets in fours balls to help get the Aussies 195 all out.
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Don't expect anything different from the Sharks or the Vodacom Blue Bulls during Saturday's ABSA Currie Cup final in Durban. The Sharks are expected name an unchanged side today, while Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke, says they'll stick to the tried and tested. Die Bulle het die Sharks verlede jaar in! die eindstryd van die Super 14 geklop en het ook die 2003 Currie Beker eindstryd tussen die twee spanne gewen. Die Sharks is gunstellinge en het drie uit die afgelope vier kragmetings gewen.
***
The debate around the future of the Springbok is expected to continue in Parliament today. Meanwhile, SA Rugby has dismissed reports that senior players are threatening to boycott the end of year tour if Luke Watson is selected. The squad will be announced immediately after the Currie Cup final and I think Watson's versatility will see him make the team.
***
Santos great Edries Burton says the team needs to gain some momemtum for the league. This after The People's Team were thrashed 5-0 by Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom knockout on Sunday. Santos have only won one game in the league so far and are sitting in 11th spot. If they want to repeat last season's top three finish they'll have to start getting some wins. Burton says no team can become bad over night.!
***
Still no Bafana Bafana match for Cape Town. SAF! A have a nnounced that Bafana will play Namibia in Kimberley on the 4th of November and Cameroon on the 19th.
***
The champions of Scotland and England go head to head this evening in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United welcome Celtic to Old Trafford. Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson says this game always attracts great support for the scots. Arsenal look to stay top of their Champions League group when they face Fenerbahce in Turkey tonight. Manager Arsene Wenger says a victory could be crucial for the rest of their campaign.

A weekend to remember at Fancourt..

Interviewing Maria Verchenova, above.

I have just returned from an amazing 3 days on the Gary Player designed Fancourt Links. 3 days of exceptional golf, albeit not my own, and an opportunity to meet and interview some great sportsman and woman.

The Gary Player Invitational is the biggest charity event on the South African golfing calendar, and this year saw many big name celebrity's arrive at the Links. Top golfers were there, such as retief goosen, John Bland, Adilson da Silva, Constanino Rocca and the new ladies tour sensation, Maria Verch! enova.
On Friday, members of the gathered media had the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am, and I had the chance to learn from playing a round on this exceptionally tough course with Sunshine Tour Pro Adilson da Silva.

On saturday, I walked the 18 holes with Retief Goosen and his 4-ball, which included Constantino Rocca and Spanish Model Ines Sastre. Goosen's sublime striking of a golfball is truly appreciated when you see the swing from a few meters away. 'Effortless' is the word that comes to mind.

On the Sunday, another 18 hole stroll, this time with the legendary Gary Player, and with him, the beautiful sensation on the European Ladies Tour, Maria Verchenova. The sports celeb on that round was former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe. I was shooting images of Maria Verchenova to mail to her back in Russia, she's a sponsors dream! And to have walked 18 holes with Gary Player, on the Gary Player designed links, what a privilege, and what a humbl! e, fit and gracious man. And he still strikes a peach of a sho! t. I can not say more.

There were just too many big names to go into any detail, but on the Saturday evening, I was standing at the venue of the supper and listening to views being shared about the course between Victor Matfield, Roland Schoeman, Shaun Pollock and Sally Little, and that was just an hour or so after watching Herschelle Gibbs coming to within 4 feet of sinking a 60 ft putt for a million bucs! Thats probably the way to describe my weekend, a million bucs!

Ground Zero

The best part of being a sports presenter, for me, is quite simply that it takes me to places that allow me to experience sport from close quarters. Cricket takes on a new meaning when you watch Herschelle Gibbs strike a full-blooded cover drive from the position of the wicket-keeper, just a meter behind him, and likewise, Super 14 rugby is seen through different eyes when viewed from the touchline alongside the players.

I spent the 80 minutes watching the Stormers playing the Blues from the touchline to shoot images (above), having previously wat! ched games from the media area in the upper level of the stands. What a perspective. You can literally feel the impacts of the tackles, and find youself getting drawn so much deeper into the contest by way of the small things that you see and hear, things which are missed from the main stands. All Black legend Dan Carter told me in a Cape Town hotel last year that it took him until the following Thursday sometimes to recover from the hits of a game. I understood fully on saturday night why he had said that. I'm still feeling it, and I was'nt even in the game.

Surprising Vettel and steady Raikkonen are on top

Toro Rosso driver, Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen lead each of the Friday practice sessions respectively. Vettel on top in Session 1 and Raikkonen on top in Session 2.

Vettel surprised everyone with a 1:40.496 in Session 1 on the his last lap of session beating Ferrari's, Felipe Massa to the top spot. Raikkonen edged the home favorite, Renault's Fernando Alonso by only .020 seconds in Session 2; Raikkonen's time was 1:39.477. Another surprise was Honda's Jenson Button who posted the 3rd fastest time in Session 2.


Vettel
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69934

Raikkonen
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69947

Liverpool Coach Rafa Benitez Not Worried About Leaking Goals

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists that he's unconcerned about his side's leaky defence this season, pointing out that the Reds are in sterling form at the other end of the pitch.

Striker Fernando Torres, who leads the Premier League scoring charts with eight goals, is the primary reason for Liverpool's best offensive start to a campaign in over a century.

"Our form has a lot to do with Torres, obviously," said Benitez. "In the last three games he has been outstanding.

"Torres can still improve, because he likes to learn. He is on fire at the moment and is a key player for us, but the Champions League is more difficult and he is aware of that.

"His confidence has grown as the team has started to do well. We are creating more chances and there are plenty of options for him."

Benitez added: "When you are winning matches, opponents have to attack more and leave space,! and that is what Fernando is exploiting.

"He can use his pace and ability. He is playing more games; he has acquired match fitness and is making life very difficult for defenders."
The backline, however, has been less reliable, and Benitez has had to defend Jamie Carragher, who has been criticised for his poor form.

Nevertheless, the club come into their Champions League match with Fiorentina on Tuesday on a six-game winning streak, in which they've racked up 18 goals.

"We are scoring more goals and not really worried that we have conceded a few more," said the ex-Valencia boss.

"Our aim is to score goals and win matches; keeping clean sheets is a bonus.

"This has been a very good goal-scoring start to the season, I'm told the best for over 100 years at this club.

"But even if you score goals and also concede, then someone will see the negative of that.

"But we always look to the positives; w! e are scoring a lot of goals and we aim to continue to do the ! same.

"We can improve in defence, of course, and I would like a lot of goals and none conceded, but that is hard to do if you do try to attack," Benitez continued.

"We will try to find the balance but I find it is easier to improve defences because you can work in training on basics, repeating the same things.

"With strikers it depends more on the quality of the player; that is more difficult."

Benitez is optimistic about Liverpool's chances in the Champions League, and claims that a win against Fiorentina after defeating Hungarian title-holders Debrecen on the tournament's opening day will put the club in a good position to make it through to the round of 16.

"To start a Champions League group winning matches is very important. We have won our first game, now we am to win the second.

"That will be fantastic; we will be in a very strong position," he added.

"We have not faced Fiorentina before in Europe and! this will be a big occasion. Hopefully we can score some more goals and that will almost certainly put us into the group stages.

"But Fiorentina play good football and will be dangerous. They are fourth in Serie A and have excellent players."

Liverpool Stalemate Broken After Tom Hicks And George Gillett End Mutual Veto

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Liverpool's co-owners, have agreed to forego their mutual veto on the sale of each other's shares in a bid to break the stalemate surrounding the future of the club.

Under their current ownership arrangement, each partner would have to seek the other's blessing to sell all, or part, of their shareholdings.

The remaining partner would also be entitled to two per cent of the other's shares, thus becoming majority partner with any new investor. However, it is believed that Hicks has given Gillett his blessing to seek a buyer for his half of the club, although ! the Texan is thought to be determined to retain his 50 per cent.

Gillett is due to meet the Saudi prince, Faisal Al Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saud in the Middle East next week, when he is expected to continue discussions over the prince's potential investment in Liverpool.

The two have already struck up a deal to launch a number of club academies across the Middle East and north Africa, and sources close to the prince confirmed this week he could take a stake in the club despite concerns over the level of debt.

Sources close to Hicks and Gillett, though, insist he is just one of a number of possible partners identified by Merrill Lynch and Rothschild, the investment banks jointly appointed by the American duo.

No deal with the prince is believed to be imminent, with discussions due with a number of other parties, although Hicks' decision not to veto the idea of Gillett finding an exit route suggests that both parties have accepted the! ir days as partners are numbered.

Christian Purslow: No Better Club To Support Than Liverpool

As I sit and wait my turn to speak to the man appointed to replace Rick Parry at Anfield, two fellow journalists look at each other and say: "He's good, he's bloody good," before looking at me with crumpled smiles insinuating I'd have a job on my hands getting Liverpool's managing director to say something dramatic.

I, however, was looking at the situation pragmatically.

When I eventually get round to speaking to him, Christian Purslow maintains he is in the job because of his business credentials. He is, after all, the man who founded the successful Mid Ocean Partners group, an international private equity firm.

T! he Harvard Business School graduate insists he is determined to drive the club he has supported since boyhood into a new era of success despite the off-field problems.

"I'm enjoying my work immensely," Purslow tells Goal.com UK.

"I am incredibly proud and honoured to be the custodian of the football club that my grandparents and my dad and I have been fans of. My children are also Liverpool fans."

It comes as no surprise when Purslow suggests Rafael Benitez's side must improve on the pitch in order to sustain the club's global appeal, with particular emphasis on the Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

He says: "I'd like to think I've got the credentials to move the club forward. The stronger we are off the park the more resources we can invest in the success of the club on the pitch. The two are completely interlinked and success on the pitch is absolutely vital.

"What I found when I started work here was a tremendous tea! m of people in terms of the business side of Liverpool Footbal! l Club, and Ian Ayre's excellent commercial team will continue to work hard and attract the right partners to move the club forward."
Purslow explains how everyone associated with the club was astonished with the loyalty displayed by overseas fans during Liverpool's recent tour of Asia.

The Londoner was particularly impressed with the manner in which the players were received by supporters during official club events and at packed stadiums.

"We are very well represented in Asia, more so than any other club. Our fans in Asia showed they are a fantastic group of people, incredibly positive, incredibly motivated with a sense of purpose, and most of all a sense of pride," he says.

When asked if Liverpool have more Asian fans than the likes of Manchester United, who have also aggressively targeted the Asian market over the years, Purslow retorts: "What better club is there in the world to support than Liverpool Football Club?

"Fans through! out the world have been supporting us for many years. Our history and tradition speaks for itself. Our fans make Anfield a very special place week in, week out, and that is part of the reason why we have so many Asian visitors every year."

Purslow cites Liverpool's recent four-year sponsorship deal with Standard Charter Bank as a significant milestone in the club's history. However, he expects a number of lucrative deals to be signed off in the future.

"Defying conventional wisdom about where the economy is generally, we have one of the most successful shirt sponsorship deals done anywhere in the world," he continues.

"Standard Chartered has a great history, a really good fit culturally and they are a fantastically well run company. They have done very well during well the financial crisis. We feel nothing other than a sense of pride.

"Rest assured my commercial team will continue to work hard and grind out results. Liverpool Foot! ball Club is a fantastic club with great tradition and history! . I can assure the fans we are all working very hard."

Looking back at the journalists who were sat in front of me saying "He's good, he's bloody good," I'm inclined to agree.

Model with Sexy Legs and Good Bodies

A model with sexy legs and good bodies walks the runway at Xtra Life Lycra collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel on July 21, 2008 in Miami, Florida.

A model walks the runway at the Poko Pano 2009 collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel on July 21, 2008 in Miami, Florida. Look this mode, ! sexy and funny style.

Designer Paola Robba (C) with models on the runway at the Poko Pano 2009 collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel on July 21, 2008 in Miami, Florida.

A model walks the runway at Cia.Maritima 2009 collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel on July 20, 2008 in Miami, ! Florida.

A model with sexy face, calm, nice and cute walks the runway at Cia.Maritima 2009 collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel on July 20, 2008 in Miami, Florida.

Lange sweeps again

From Richmond Racing Kawasaki

ROCKFORD, IL -- Team Green, Richmond Racing Kawasaki team captain Darcy Lange had another impressive weekend in U.S. National Arenacross action from Rockford, IL. After sweeping both main event wins Friday night, Lange won both Saturday features and added to his lead in the point standings.

By sweeping all four main events over the weekend, Lange now holds a 102-point lead over teammate Jeff Northrop. After winning the Dash 4 Cash Saturday night, the Courtenay, BC racer also gained points in the Dash 4 Cash standings where he also sits atop the leader board with a 22-point edge over Northrop.

This weekend is open for the Arenacross series so Richmond Racing is making the long trek home to Vancouver to race round 2 of the FIM World Supecross Series. Riding the event will be Lange, Northern California's Northrop and Southern Californian Evan Laughridge. All three riders are currently slated to compete in the 125 class.

Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Crevier to Macau

By John Hopkins

MONTREAL, QC -- Steve Crevier will compete in the Nov. 19 Macau Grand Prix on a Honda Diablo Racing Honda CBR1000RR, according to a press release from the team.

This will be the six-time Canadian Superbike champion's first visit to the famed street race in the Far East.

"It's a great honour to be representingCanada in Macau, but this track requires one to be cautious," said Crevier, the 2005 Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike national champion, in the release. "My brother-in-law, Michael Taylor, was involved in a vicious accident a few year back - it makes you want to keep an eye open."

Crevier, team manager Eddy Brunet and mechanic Scott Cameron will leave for Macau Saturday (Nov. 12).

The team, incidentally, will be using 16.5-inch slick tires from Pirelli, the new spec tire supplier to the Parts Canada Superbike national series.

! Inside Motorcycles // www.insidemotorcycles.com

Eric Bledsoe Will Sign with Kentucky Wildcats......

As reported previously, top recruit Eric Bledsoe had narrowed his list and now it's down to Kentucky and Memphis. It seems sources close to the recruitment of Eric Bledsoe were indicating as of Tuesday night that the five-star point guard was leaning toward choosing Kentucky over Memphis. They're also reports that Bledsoe will sign with Kentucky tomorrow morning. We'll keep you updated.

Billy Gillispie arrested for DUI

Our poor former basketball leader Billy Gillispie was arrested early Thursday morning in Frankfort, KY for driving under the influence. Apparently Billy Boy refused to take a breathalyzer test along with a passenger in his car. The passenger in his car, Charles O'Conner was also arrested and charged with public intoxication.

This would be the third time that Gillispie has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Once in 1999 in Tulsa, OK and once in 2003 in his first year at Texas-El Paso. I don't think this will help Gillipie's credibility in his law! suit against the University of Kentucky.

Check out the story here.

NBA Awards

-Keefe

Just a couple of games left in the NBA season, so let's give out some awards. I'll take you though my picks for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 6th man, Rookie, also the All-NBA teams 1st-3rd, and the five best rookies from this season. Look for a complete playoff preview to come soon, but for now, on to the awards…

MVP- Steve Nash
Phoenix (18.8 ppg., 11.6 apg., 3.5 rpg., 53.4% FG, 46.3% 3FG) Nash has put together another fantastic season. He is at the same points per game as he was last season, and just ahead of his assist numbers from two years ago, both which resulted in the MVP award. His field goal percentage and three point shooting are both career highs for the Canadian who is looking to become just the fourth player in league history to win three straight MVP awards. Dirk, the best player on the best team (record wise), and Kobe will challenge Nash, but when it's all said! and done I'm voting for Nash. (Note: I don't have an actual vote.)

Defensive Player of the Year- Marcus Camby
Denver (11.2 ppg., 11.7 rpg., 3.3 bpg., 1.24 spg.) Camby leads the league in blocks per game and is second in defensive rebounding. Iverson and Carmelo get all the credit for the Nuggets turning it on and clinching the 6th seed out West, but it's been Camby's defense that's helped carry this squad. He is averaging 4.8 blocks a night this month, highlighted by 9 rejections against the Hornets less than week ago. Denver needs Camby, they were 4-6 without him in the lineup, and all four wins came against non-playoff teams, including three of the bottom four clubs in the league. An impressive 28 times this season Camby cleared 10+ Defensive rebounds. Shawn Marion is another guy who I could see in the running for this award. The Matrix can guard just about everyone, and on some nights has to do just that.

6th ! Man of the Year- Leandro Barbosa
Phoenix (18.1 p! pg., 4 a pg., 2.6 rpg.) Barbosa is the clear favorite this season for 6th man of the year. Out of the 78 games he has currently played in, 60 times he came off the Suns' bench. He can run the point to give Nash a breather, but can be even more effective playing along side my MVP choice. Solid outside shooter (over 43% from 3), and besides T.J. Ford, the fastest guy with the ball, gets to the hoop with speed and ease. Manu Ginobili has made a case for himself after moving to the bench. He's started 36 of the 75 games he's played in, making him eligible for this award. His numbers are all solid, (16.5 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.5 apg.) but Barbosa's are better, plus Manu started twice as many games as Leandro. Jerry Stackhouse will get some votes as well, showing that the three best 6th men are on the three best teams. Coincidence?

Rookie of the Year- Brandon Roy
Portland (16.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4 apg.) The 6th pick in this past year's draft, Minnesota ! traded him that night to Portland. He has been head and shoulders above every other rookie this season. (1st amongst rookies in points, 7th in rebounds, 1st in assists, 2nd in steals, and 1st in 3FG%.) This won't even be close. I can't think of another rookie who deserves a first place vote. With Roy, Aldridge, Jack, and Randolph, Portland has a solid young nucleus if they can keep them all together. The Trail Blazers didn't win much this season, but Roy should win the ROY unanimously.


All- NBA 1st Team

Steve Nash- (18.8 ppg., 11.6 apg., 3.5 rpg., 53.4% FG)
Dirk Nowitzki- 24.6 ppg., 8.9 rpg., 3.4 apg., team = best record)
Kobe Bryant- (31.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 5.4 apg., 1.45 spg.)
Tracy McGrady- (24.4 ppg., 6.4 apg., 5.2 rpg.)
Chris Bosh- (22.6 ppg., 10.8 rpg., 2.5 apg., 1.3 bpg.)

Already said a lot about Nash in! the MVP section, so let's look at the four guys who join him ! on the A ll- NBA 1st team.
Nowitzki leads the 66 win (2 games remaining) Dallas Mavericks who are primed to make a return trip to the NBA finals. Dirk is receiving a lot of attention for MVP, and could very well win it. Just under 25 points and 9 rebounds a night the sweet shooting German has set himself in the games elite the past few seasons. A deadly shooter, and impossible match up on defense, Dirk is a no brainer for the 1st team.
Kobe has put up unthinkable numbers once again this season, and has the Lakers in the playoffs. 10 games with at least 50 points. (He has 1 more game, wouldn't be surprised if that number went up to 11.) Leads the league in scoring, obviously, but his rebounds and assists are strong as well. Who else would you want taking a game winner?
T- Mac will once again try to advance in the playoffs this year. Unfortunately for him his Rockets play in the West and have some teams ahead of them in the standings. Three teams have better re! cords, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio. Utah currently has the 4th seed, because of their division, but Houston could have home court in that great 4 v. 5 first round match up. McGrady and Yao certainly are one of the best 1-2 punches in the league, and T-Mac himself one of the most versatile.
Chris Bosh is the main reason that the Raptors have gone from 27-55 last season to currently 47-33 and Atlantic Division winner. Toronto will be the 3rd seed in the East, and behind Bosh has a great chance to make it to the NBA finals. Career highs in both points and rebounds, Bosh has proved to be another fantastic player from the 2003 draft.


All- NBA 2nd Team

Gilbert Arenas- (28.4 ppg., 6 apg., 4.6 rpg., 1.88 spg.)
LeBron James- (27.5 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 6 apg., 1.62 spg.)
Kevin Garnett- (22.4 ppg., 12.8 rpg., 4.1 apg., 1.66 bpg.)
Carlos Boozer- (21 ppg! ., 11.8 rpg., 3 apg., 55.8% FG)
Vince Carter- (2 5.2 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 4.7 apg.)

It's a shame Agent Zero is going to miss the playoffs due to injury. One of the most exciting players in the game to watch, listen to, and even read. Another blogger! 3rd in the NBA in points per game, and T-15th in assists, the Wizards now have ZERO chance without him.
King James could be on the first team, but as a forward Dirk and T-Mac I felt were more deserving. Has better numbers than McGrady, but playing in the East he faced weaker competition night in and night out. The rest of the Cavs will hop on Lebron's back for another playoff run.
Garnett is the first, er, only player on the first three All-NBA teams to not be headed for the playoffs. But his numbers, (22-13-4) make him a mainstay. Who wouldn't want to see this guy on a contender?
Boozer has bounced back from an injury riddled 2005-2006, where he started just 19 games, and the Jazz went 41-41. This season, (with 2 games left) they are 49-31 and div! ision champions. Boozer has started all 72 games he has played, and averages more points (21) than Duncan, Amare, and Dwight Howard, also more boards (11.8) than Duncan, Amare, Camby, Dirk, Bosh, and Yao Ming. He also ranks 6th in the league in field goal percentage (55.8), that's better than Duncan, Brand, Yao, Marion. The Jazz will be a fun team to watch this playoffs.
Vince put up great numbers once again, and in a contract year. The Nets will try to get to .500 in their last game of the season. They are in the playoffs, but despite great seasons out of Carter and Kidd don't look to be threats in the East. Might be done in New Jersey after the post season but I think another team will gladly take 25-6-5.


All- NBA 3rd Team

Shawn Marion- (17.5 ppg., 9.9 rpg., 1.95 spg., 1.54 bpg.)
Marcus Camby- (11.2 ppg., 11.7 rpg., 3.3 bpg., 3.2 apg.)
Tim Duncan- (20 ppg! ., 10.6 rpg., 3.4 apg., 2.4 bpg.)
Allen Iverson- (26.3 ppg., 7.3 apg., 3 rpg., 1.88 spg.)
Jason Kidd- (13.1 ppg., 9.2 apg., 8.2 rpg., 1.6 spg.)

Huge fan of Shawn Marion. The Suns are the most exciting team to watch in the NBA, and Marion is a huge reason why. Sure Nash makes the team go, and Amare leads the team in points, even a guy off the bench scores more points than Marion, but he means so much to this teams success. Nearly 18 points a night without a single play called for him. He leads the team in rebounding, as a 6'7'' power forward in the West. He ranks 6th in the league in steals, 8th in rebounds, and he's top 20 in blocks, field goal %, and minutes. The Matrix also has 37 double doubles (at time this was written), which is good enough for 11th most in the league.
I mentioned Camby's importance in the D-player of the year section. Ben Wallace made a number of All-NBA teams (5) and never once average double digit points. Maybe Camby isn't quite as dominant on the defe! nsive end (arguably), but at least on offense it's not four on five. All those double doubles and leading the league in block shots, should be good enough for this former Minuteman to make an All-NBA team.
Had to have a Spur on the list right? Duncan doesn't wow you with his by the book, fundamentals, but another 20-10 season, while playing on the third best team in the West has to earn you a spot on this list.
Iverson's points have dropped off a bit after getting traded to the Nuggets, but now he's on a contender. Playing both the point, and off the ball while Blake runs the offense Iverson seems to be clicking with his new team. Denver is the 6th seed, and could give the Spurs a heck of a series. For the year AI is over 26 points, 7 assists, as well as 1st in minutes averaging 42.7 a night.
Kidd came close to averaging a triple double for the season. His 12 triple doubles led the league… by far. There was a total of 18 triple doubles by the rest o! f the league combined, while Kidd had 12 of his own. What mor! e can I say?


Honorable Mentions

Deron Williams- (16.4 ppg., 9.4 apg.)
Carmelo Anthony- (29.1 ppg., 6 rpg.)
Amare Stoudemire- (20.3 ppg., 9.7 rpg.)
Dwight Howard- (17.8 ppg., 12.3 rpg.)
Dwayne Wade (27.8 ppg., 7.6 apg.), Michael Redd (26.7 ppg.), Paul Pierce (25 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 4.1 apg.), and Yao Ming (24.9 ppg., 9.4 rpg.)- Last four guys probably would have made one of the top 3 teams if they played more games. Wade certainly deserving of an All-NBA team, but missing 30 games, I didn't think he should make it over the other players on the list.


All- Rookie Team

Brandon Roy- Portland (16.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4 apg.)
--------------
Rudy Gay- Memphis (11 ppg., 4.5 rpg.)
Andrea Bargnani- Toronto (11.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.)
LaMarcus Aldridge- Portland (9 ppg., 5 rpg., 1.2 bpg.)
Paul Millsap- Utah (6.6 ppg., 5.1 rpg.)

Roy leads a mediocre rookie class. Redick and Morrison received all the attention in college, and both supplied a sub par first season. Morrison was second amongst rookies in scoring (11.9 ppg.), but his AND-1 like defense and shaky shooting (37.6% FG, 33.7% 3FG.) resulted in a disappointing year in Charlotte. Out of the five guys I did pick for my all- rookie squad two are on playoff teams. Bargnani, the 1st pick in the draft, has helped turn around a Raptors team and win the Atlantic Division, while Millsap, a 2nd round pick, comes off the bench for one of the best teams in the league. The other three players, all lottery picks, have been bright spots on bad teams.

Final season statistics will vary slightly as each team has one or two games left to play at the time thi! s was written. If you think I've left someone great off the l! ist (whi ch is probably the case), or you'd give the awards to a different guy, please leave a comment or send an e-mail to sportsbrief@gmail.com. NBA playoff preview to come soon.

-Rich Keefe

The Red Sox Starting Nine (Questions) for September

1. How will Josh Beckett return from the DL?

This is clearly the most pressing issue facing Boston right now. Beckett was and still is the ace of the pitching staff, despite the fact that he certainly has not pitched up to his standards in 2008. Perhaps it was all the BBQ and beer he consumed in the offseason, but Beckett hasn't been right all year. And 11-9 with a 4.35 ERA is awful unless you're one of the Paul Byrds of the world. But the bottom line is Beckett will be the key to another World Series run. The Sox seem to control their own fate in terms of the Wildcard, and while the AL East crown isn't out of grasp, the Wildcard isn't as daunting a task. Expect to see Francona and Co. slowly bring Beckett back, because Boston will be better served pushing him deeper into games and on shorter rest come October. Fully healthy, only one potential playoff team has an ace that can match up with Beckett (John Lackey), and Boston will be in better shape! if it sends Dice-K in game 2 and Lester in game 3. And if history tells us anything, Beckett will be asking for the ball in game 4. If he's healthy enough to.

2. Can the bullpen get it to Papelbon with a lead?

Aside from K-Rod and possibly Joe Nathan and Mariano Rivera, Papelbon is the most dominate closer in the American League if not all of baseball. But what good is a closer if the bullpen can't hold a lead. The most glaring error in my eyes at the trade deadline was Boston's reluctance to make a move for relief help. Last year it was Delcarmen (7th) and Okajima (8th), but this year it's been a revolving door and varied cast of characters. No one seems to want to step up and assume a key role in pressure situations. That being said, this could make things more difficult than expected for Boston to make the postseason. If they do, the starters will be forced to work deeper into games and could result in the Red Sox needing a 4th sta! rter. Not good. Wakefield, Byrd, Bucholz, Colon, et al. simply! won't b e acceptable in playoff baseball, and if Justin Masterson is thrust into the role, he may not be able to go further than five innings. That's four innings out of your bullpen. Gross. Masterson could be the wildcard here, however. Right now he seems like the best option in the 7th inning and could potentially stretch it out to two if needed. But if Okajima can avoid giving up the longball then maybe, just maybe he'll do, and Papelbon will get some key save opportunities. Either than or the Sox offense of '03 and '04 would be welcome.

3. Will Lester hold up?

120, 150, 180. That's Lester's total innings at the professional level over the past three season. And a hard fought battle with cancer mixed in there, as well. He hit 97 in the first inning with his fastball, so right now he's not showing any signs of slowing down. The best thing for Sox will be to secure a playoff spot early and rest their rising star down the stretch so he's fresh ! for the playoffs. Looking back on 2007, you can bet that Sabathia (241 IP) and Carmona (215 IP) were worn out in the ALDS and ALCS against New York and Boston. And it showed. Last year Boston had Beckett, Schilling and then Dice-K, and over the course of the regular season, Lester has made Sox fans forget Schilling with ease. But if he and/or Beckett aren't at full steam down the stretch, Schilling's grittiness and determination when it mattered will be sorely missed.

4. Can Lowell (oblique) and Drew (back) return to the lineup?

As well as Youkilis, Lowrie and Jeff Bailey have done in Lowell's absence, the regular third baseman will be welcomed back with open arms. Sean Casey is now on the DL, and "the Mayor" had been a tremendous addition to the clubhouse and lineup on a part-time basis. Can guys like Youk and Pedroia keep up this torrid pace of hitting? Maybe, but even so a veteran presence like Lowell is key in a postseason race. Pi! cture this lineup: Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz, Lowell, Youkilis,! Drew (i f healthy), Bay, Varitek and Lowrie. That's pretty ridiculous.

5. Is Lowrie your shortstop for the rest of 2008?

Absolutely. For the rest of 2008, and into 2009 and beyond. Julio Lugo should just mail it in and the Sox should just bite the bullet on this one. Do this city a favor. That was another classic misread by Theo and I say the organization just buy out his contract and send him on his way. Lowrie drove in more runs in the month of August than Lugo did all season. And he has more homeruns…with two. Not only that, but Lowrie has been an on-base machine and can hit almost anywhere in that lineup because of just that. Showing improved defensive skills, he hasn't been a liability in the field skeptics thought he'd be and has made all the routine plays. Can't ask for much more out of the young kid.

6. Will Clay Bucholz pitch again at the major league level in 2008?

I hope not. Not to say he'll be! another Bud Smith of sorts, but Bucholz isn't showing an impressive arsenal of stuff. In fact, my brother's little league team banged him around the park for six runs over the first two innings in a game that ended in the mercy rule just last week. Not only does his stuff suck, but his attitude and demeanor are brutal too. I think we see more of Michael Bowden down the stretch than we do Bucholz. And I'm not sure we'll see a whole lot of Bowden either. In fact I think we'll see more of Keefe and I down the stretch than we do Bucholz. If I have my way, he'll be starting 2009 in Portland.

7. How many no-name Nancies will we have to watch in September?

It's already begun in tonight's game against Baltimore. Jonathan Van Every? David Ross? Craig Smith? It's nights like these I'm glad I can't afford tickets to Fenway anymore. Not that the fans even notice as Boston will continue to sell out for the next hundred years. Which leads me to…
8. Should Boston's attendance record! even be compared with Cleveland's?

Let's be honest here: the only reason the Red Sox are poised to break this record is because all it takes is a few players' wives and other family members to show up in order to call it a sell out. It's the smallest park in baseball and while they continue to announce sell out attendances over 37,000, it's because they keep jamming more seats in between seats and there are probably a couple thousand idiots dumb enough to stand for nine innings. The whole thing is over played and can't hold a candle to the Jacobs (now Progressive) Field streak back in the 90's when Manny was just a 7-hole hitter for that Indians ball club.

9. Pedroia for MVP?

Yea, the same guy people wanted out of the lineup and back in Pawtucket back in April of last year. He should be the front runner right now. Both Josh Hamilton and the Rangers have seen a significant drop off, and no every day players on the Angels or Rays have! numbers that jump out at you. Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye make solid cases over in Chicago, but they could easily steal votes from each other although Quentin is probably the team MVP.

Look at Pedroia's numbers: .330/16/75 with a .376 OBP and .872 OPS…for a 2nd baseman! He leads the league in average, hits, runs scored, multi-hit games and is third in doubles. And he's tossed in 17 steals while playing a phenomenal 2nd base. The injury to Ian Kinsler strengthens his case because it now makes him the league's most productive 2nd baseman. And he's done all this with the departure of Manny Ramirez and significant injuries to Mike Lowell, JD Drew and David Ortiz. Even Youkilis has been falling ill as of late and seen limited action. After hitting .260 in the month of May, Pedroia hit .356 in June, .350 in July and then a stout .374 in August to go with his six homers and 20 RBI. Pretty good resume, and as much as I dislike him as a person, I have to admit he's b! een the most valuable player to an AL team this season. Barrin! g a stro ng final month by the likes of Quentin, Dye or dare I say, K-Rod, Pedroia should be the odds on favorite down the stretch.

What are your thoughts on these issues heading into the final month of play? Send us any others I may have overlooked and enjoy the final sprint to October.

-Bess

Bash Brother gets bashed in Japan

Jose Canseco tried his hand at professional mixed martial arts earlier this morning over in Japan, taking on 7'2" goliath Hong Man Choi - he of the armbarred by Fedor variety. Now Canseco didn't come into this fight lacking experience. He was the victim of a lucky punch and poor officiating in his celebrity boxing match with Vai Sikahema and later outslugged Danny Bonaduce in an all out war that made Gatti-Ward look amateurish.

Obviously I'm being facetious. Sikahema embarassed Canseco with a thunderous right hand and blitzed him out of the ring. Then Canseco took on Bonaduce, a former Patridge kid. Really? Not only did Canseco struggle to eeke out a split decision, but it against a guy who was smoking a cigarette on the way into the ring. Not exactly an impressive resume. But Canseco is a draw, especially in Japan due to his baseball playing days, and he admitted he was in need of the cash. I give him props for owning up to that. But it certainly didn't get him a! nywhere in this fight. Check it out...



Valiant effort by Canseco. Unfortunately he appeared to blow out his knee towards the end of the fight and Choi pounced and took advantage. I'd love to be able to say that the knee injury led to his demise, but let's face it, Canseco had it coming, especially wearing pants like those. What did he have, vericose veins he was hiding? Let's hope he heals quickly and gets back to competing soon. Did I really just say that?

-Bess

Napier Test: Vettori, McCullum help Kiwis to take lead against Pakistan

Napier (New Zealand), Dec. 12 (ANI): Skipper Daniel Vettori and his deputy Brendon McCullum today rescued New Zealand with a blazing 176-run partnership on the second day of the third cricket test against Pakistan here.

McCullum and Vettori's 100-run partnership took just 119 balls and the partnership ended a few minutes ago when McCullum was out for 89 off 103 balls caught in the gully off Umar Gul.

Television replays suggested that Gul may have bowled a no-ball.

New Zealand finished the day on 346 for six, a lead of 123 over Pakistan, with Vettori batting a magnificent 100 not out - his sixth tenth century which came off just 127 balls.

The Vettori-McCullm partnership was a far cry from the New Zealand batting effort in the middle session as Pakistani legspinner Danish Kaneria overcame a minor health scare to give the home side the wobbles.

Kaneria clutched at his chest after completing the second over after lunch and needed to lie down briefly before recovering to continue following a medical check-up.

However, he ended the session to tea in good heart, having improving his analysis to four for 55 from 21 overs as New Zealand were in danger of letting a position of dominance ebb away.

New Zealand were at 166 for five at tea - trailing by 57 runs on the first innings - withl Vettori 14 not out, and McCullum on 15.

Kaneria bowled unchanged through the middle session, removing key batsman Ross Taylor, topscorer Tim McIntosh and a struggling Daniel Flynn.

Resuming on 48 after lunch, McIntosh completed his second test half-century from 147 balls with a rare show of aggression when he unleashed a straight drive to the fence.

The cautious left-hander, who had scored just 37 runs in the first two tests, made the most of his reprieve late yesterday on nought when his leg before wicket dismissal was over-ruled by the umpire decision review system.

He threatened to add another century to his maiden test century here against the West Indies a year ago when Kaneria deceived him on 74.

Two balls after attempting a sweep against Kaneria, McIntosh repeated the shot and top edged gently to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to end a 187-ball vigil that contained eight boundaries.

Taylor was Kaneria's first victim after lunch for 21 when a trademark slog sweep skied to Mohammad Yousuf on the move at backward square leg.

Flynn had a reprieve before scoring when he was given out leg before wicket by Rudi Koertzen. He immediately referred the dismissal to third umpire Simon Taufel, who confirmed Mohammad Asif's delivery pitched outside leg stump.

But there was no escape for Flynn when Billy Doctrove turned down a caught behind appeal. Kamran Akmal sought a review immediately and Taufel detected a noise from the pitch microphone, an outcome that continued the left-hander's poor series.

SCOREBOARD (stumps, second day):

Pakistan

First innings 223

New Zealand

T. McIntosh c K.Akmal b Kaneria 74 (187)

B. Watling c U.Akmal b Asif 18 (69)

M. Guptill lbw Kaneria 13 (47)

R. Taylor c Yousuf b Kaneria 21 (49)

D. Flynn c K.Akmal b Kaneria 5 (26)

D. Vettori not out 100 127)

B. McCullum c Faisal b Gul 89 (103)

D. Tuffey not out 13 (32)

T. Southee

I.O'Brien

C. Martin

Extras 13

Total(6wkts, 106 overs) 346

Fall: 1/60, 2/82, 3/118, 4/136, 5/145, 6/321

BOWLING

O M R W

M. Aamer 17 6 55 0

M. Asif 24 7 69 1

U. Gul 28 5 95 1

D. Kaneria 37 9 119 4 (ANI)

Warnie wants Hussey dumped, Hughes in

Melbourne, Dec.12 (ANI): Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne has called on the national selectors to sack veteran Mike Hussey.

Warne believes young opener Phillip Hughes, who scored 75 against Queensland at the Gabba yesterday under the eye of selector Jamie Cox, should be recalled with Shane Watson shifting down the order.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Warne was highly critical of Hussey's role in the side. The veteran faces enormous pressure in front of his home crowd in Perth in the third Test against the West Indies.

Hussey should have put his hand up to open, so Shane Watson could bat in the middle order where he belongs. He's on his last legs, and it might be time to inject some youth into his spot, Warne was quoted, as saying.

Warne challenged the 21-year-old Hughes, who lost the Test opening spot during Australia's ill-fated Ashes series this year, to prove he is the exciting and worthy talent the selectors expected when they first picked him.

He needs to show that playing cricket for Australia is important to him. He needs to go out and get lots of hundreds at Shield level and show he's hungry and also that he has overcome the technical difficulties against the short ball. He's a great talent, but he has to prove that, and that he wants it enough, Warne said.

Former Test selector John Benaud agreed with Warne's sentiments.

I believe it is time for Hussey to go. His footwork is terrible. He is totally out of touch. It is not his average that matters when you analyse his form, it's the direction of his form graph. It has been going down for some time. I would have dropped him in Perth, Benaud said.

Australia cannot lose the series. It is a dead Test. It's a shame Brad Hodge isn't still around but there are still good players like Tasmania's George Bailey coming through. If he scores 70 or more in Perth this could go on and on, he added.

Since the start of 2008 Hussey has scored 1519 runs for the mediocre average of 36.1 in 25 Tests.

At age 34, he appears a player in decline though Australia's selection panel, renowned for their conservatism, appear set on shepherding him through to next summer's Ashes series where Australia could field three 35-year-old batsmen, Hussey, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting.

Warne said that while young leg spinning New South Welshman Steve Smith was one of the more exciting prospects for Australia in the future, incumbent slow bowler Nathan Hauritz had earned his spot.

He's one of the big ticks from 12 months ago to now, the really big improver in the Australian side,

Warne said. He deserves to be the No. 1 spinner at the moment. (ANI)

Tiger Woods left me heartbroken, says his latest 'mistress'

London, Dec 12 (ANI): Jamie Jungers, who claims to have had an 18-month affair with Tiger Woods, has revealed that she was left heartbroken by the billionaire golfer.

Jungers, 26, claims she met the 33-year-old golfer at a nightclub in Las Vegas four years ago.

She told NBC's Today programme that the fling ended after he refused a request from her for financial help, reports Sky News.

That shows to me how much I mean to you, she says she told the father-of-two at the time.

Ultimately she got nothing out of this relationship but a broken heart, she added.

Meanwhile, Woods has decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf to focus on his personal life.

The golfer is presently in his Orlando, Fla., area home, recovering from injuries he suffered during an accident outside his house.

Woods has been apologetic about after his multiple affairs, which were exposed following the accident.

He has now come up with a third statement on his official website after the incident.

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children, he said.

He added: I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding.

What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person. (ANI)

Mercedes offers just ?7m comeback bait to Schumacher

London, Dec. 12 (ANI): Mercedes has offered a seven million pound salary to Michael Schumacher to make a sensational F1 comeback.

The German car giant has stepped up its bid to lure the seven-time F1 champ back into the sport, The Sun reports.

Schumacher is mulling a return four years after he retired, and would spearhead the newly-named team following its buyout of Brawn GP.

The German driver, 40, is on a fitness drive after a neck problem ruled out a comeback for Ferrari last season.

Schuey earned 30 million pounds a year in his F1 heyday with Ferrari but driver salaries have since come down dramatically.

His earnings would be way off double champ Fernando Alonso, who is earning around 15 million pounds at Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton, on 13 millions at McLaren.

But triple champ Niki Lauda said: Money is not an issue for Michael. The question is whether he would want a new challenge.

Schumacher will race under a radical new points system if he does replace Jenson Button at the Brackley-based outfit. (ANI)

Akram says doctors were more interested in making money than saving wife's life

Lahore, Dec.12 (ANI): Angry and hurt over the non-professional attitude of the doctors who treated his wife, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has said that they (doctors) were only interested in making fast money than curing his wife Huma Akram, who died in October due to multiple organ failure.

Wasim blamed doctors in Lahore of keeping him in the dark about his wife's ailment, saying they failed to diagnose the real problem.

The doctors of Lahore hospitals took no pain while treating Huma and they failed to diagnose her ailment. They were more interested in making money as after their failure to cure Huma, they asked me to pay 150,000 dollars to arrange an air ambulance for her treatment in Singapore, Wasim said.

He said that while the doctors claimed that Huma's condition was improving, she didn't show any signs of recovery.

The consulting doctors were not available on phone and that was something highly disturbing for us, Wasim told The Dawn.

When asked that whether he was satisfied with the government's decision to cancel the licence of all the 17 doctors who were involved in her wife's treatment, the former speedster said: Something has to be done to stop them (doctors) from being indifferent to patients.

It may be noted that the Pakistan Health Ministry had suspended 17 doctors and cancelled their general practice licenses on charges of dereliction of duty leading to Huma Akram's death.

The decision was taken after a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health. (ANI)

Tiger Woods' sponsors 'discussing his endorsement contracts'

Washington, Dec 12 (ANI): If sources are to be believed, several of Tiger Woods' corporate sponsors are discussing whether or not the golfer's actions in his personal life violated the terms of his multi-million dollar deals.

A rep for Nike said that their involvement with Woods had not changed as a result of the growing saga.

However, reps for Pepsi, Gillette and Proctor and Gamble did not respond for comment.

There is usually language in contracts that allow the contract to be voidable if contracted party is involved in situations that could be detrimental to the corporate image, Fox News quoted Sports/Entertainment agent Mike Grippo as saying.

Ever since Woods bizarrely crashed his car outside his house, he has been romantically linked to a dozen or so women. (ANI)

'Tiger Woods' hooker Loredana Jolie was fame-starved'

New York, December 12 (ANI): The Playboy model with whom Tiger Woods was allegedly smitten had long been hungry for fame, her former boss has said.

Woods has been controversy laden since his mysterious car accident outside his Florida mansion on Thanksgiving.

As many as 11 women have been linked to the married golf great, including Long Island model named Loredana Jolie.

Hollywood madam Michelle Braun recently revealed that Woods, 33, shelled out thousands of dollars between 2006 and 2007 for the busty blonde.

She's a stunning girl. He went out with her four or five times. She took part in group sex. They met up in 2006 or early 2007. I'd say he paid 15,000 dollars for her, the New York Daily News quoted Braun as saying.

Jolie's former employer Chris Kellund has now stepped forward, claiming the Sicily-born was fame starved.

Kellund, owner of Metro Parties, a company that supplies strippers for private events, said: She was an innocent girl with too much ambition. Everything about her was about fast movement and fame. She wanted to be a star. (ANI)

Benitez sneers at critics poor managerial records

London, Dec.12 (ANI): Liverpool FC coach Rafa Benitez has delivered a scathing response to his arch-critics Jurgen Klinsmann and Graeme Souness. He simply sneered at their poor managerial records.

Klinsmann gave a damning verdict on the Spaniard's failure to build a title-winning team, while Kop legend Souness warned his former club were in 'meltdown' after their latest Champions League flop at home to Fiorentina.

Benitez, however, insisted he does not pay any attention to them and even reaches for the mute button whenever he sees them on TV.

Both have 'fantastic' records as managers. So, like me, the fans look at that and ignore what they say. If someone talks too much, it is their problem. There is always criticism but I don't listen. I turn off the volume on the TV, The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.

Benitez saved his most withering put-down for Klinsmann, who took Germany to the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2006 but lasted less than a season before being sacked by Bayern Munich.

He said sarcastically: I think the last I heard he was an expert in marketing. Now, he is an expert in management too. And his management career? Short. (ANI)

World Cup: Australia has the 'perfect bid', says 'Kaiser' Beckenbauer

Melbourne, Dec. 12 (ANI): Soccer great and FIFA delegate Franz Beckenbauer has described Australia's 2018-2022 World Cup bid as perfect and rated its possibility of hosting the tournament as very, very realistic.

Beckenbauer is a member of FIFA's 24-man panel that, this time next year, will determine the host nations for both tournaments.

In terms of Australia's bid, I think it's a great bid. It's perfect, Beckenbauer told The Daily Telegraph.

And you also have the support of some very, very experienced people who know exactly how the bidding process works and what it takes to be successful, he added.

He was alluding to Andreas Abold, the man behind the successful bids by Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010, who has been recruited to consult FFA.

Beckenbauer suggested Australia's best chance would be hosting the 2022 tournament.

To be realistic, the Europeans are trying very hard to get the World Cup back to their continent in 2018 after two consecutive World Cups going elsewhere, he said.

But to be honest I'm not sure how it will work, but for Australia if it's not 2018, then for 2022 there's a very, very realistic chance of course. (ANI)

Benitez sneers at critics poor managerial records

London, Dec.12 (ANI): Liverpool FC coach Rafa Benitez has delivered a scathing response to his arch-critics Jurgen Klinsmann and Graeme Souness. He simply sneered at their poor managerial records.

Klinsmann gave a damning verdict on the Spaniard's failure to build a title-winning team, while Kop legend Souness warned his former club were in 'meltdown' after their latest Champions League flop at home to Fiorentina.

Benitez, however, insisted he does not pay any attention to them and even reaches for the mute button whenever he sees them on TV.

Both have 'fantastic' records as managers. So, like me, the fans look at that and ignore what they say. If someone talks too much, it is their problem. There is always criticism but I don't listen. I turn off the volume on the TV, The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.

Benitez saved his most withering put-down for Klinsmann, who took Germany to the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2006 but lasted less than a season before being sacked by Bayern Munich.

He said sarcastically: I think the last I heard he was an expert in marketing. Now, he is an expert in management too. And his management career? Short. (ANI)

Arsenal ace Arshavin can't repeat four-goal salvo, reckons Liverpool's Mascherano

London, Dec. 12 (ANI): Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists that Arsenal striker Andrey Arshavin won't be able to repeat his four-goal barrage in tomorrow's clash.

Arsenal's Russian agent rocked Liverpool in a pulsating 4-4 draw at Anfield in April.

Arshavin was enormous against us last season but there will not be a repeat. The madness of last season is not possible again. We have learned how to stop him and I am convinced he will not create problems for us this time, The Sun quoted Mascherano, as saying.

Cesc Fabregas is the key for the Gunners. Arshavin is dangerous but without Fabregas' work things can change. He is decisive and it's our mission to make sure he doesn't feel comfortable, he added.

Liverpool have had a nightmare start to the season, slipping 12 points off the pace and crashing out of the Champions League at the group stages.

Tomorrow they face third-placed Arsenal, knowing defeat would leave them seven points adrift of the Gunners.

With Manchester City, Spurs and Aston Villa performing well, there are even question marks over whether the stumbling Kop giants will be in Europe at all next time around - leave aside the Champions League.

But Mascherano said: We had Fernando Torres back against Fiorentina in midweek, Stevie Gerrard is getting fitter with every game and Alberto Aquilani started as well.

All those things can only be good for us. We know we're a better team than we have shown. (ANI)

Man U to offer new deals to old warhorses Giggs, Scholes: Alex Ferguson

London, Dec. 12 (ANI): Manchester United will offer new deals to midfielders - Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - next season.

Welsh wizard Giggs, 36, and former England star Scholes, 35, are both out of contracts next summer.

But United boss Alex Ferguson said: Every player who gets into his 30s starts to wonder what's going to happen. We will certainly be offering Ryan a new contract for next season, when he'll be 37. That is what we think of him, he has been amazingly consistent.

And when you consider Paul's performance at West Ham, and at Wolfsburg in midweek, there is no reason to think he can't do it again next season as well. He may feel he should play in every game but, of course, he can't, The Sun quoted him, as saying.

The best way to see Paul Scholes playing like he did on Wednesday night is to gauge the games in which we think he will dominate.

We will be offering him a contract - and he knows that, he added.

Young striker Danny Welbeck, 19, yesterday extended his United contract to 2013. (ANI)

Now, Pak's Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong shifted from Lahore over security fears

Lahore, Dec. 12 (ANI): The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has shifted Pakistan's Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong from Lahore citing security concerns.

The Group-II match of the Davis Cup, which was scheduled to be held in March 2010, has now been relocated to Hong Kong itself, The Daily Times reports.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has received a letter from the ITF confirming the decision of the Davis Cup match being shifted to Hong Kong. The Davis Cup committee, as per Davis Cup regulations, has decided that Pakistan will lose choice of ground for this tie. The Davis Cup committee further decided that the tie will be held in Hong Kong from March 5-7, 2010, a statement issued by the PTF stated.

This is the third time in a year that Pakistan has lost hosting rights of a Davis Cup match because of security reasons.

Earlier this year, Pakistan's Davis Cup opener was shifted to Muscat from Lahore, while the next round's match against the Philippines was moved to Manila. (ANI)

Preston North End 1 Tottenham Hotspur 5

The Carling Cup game between Preston North End and Tottenham Hotspur at Deepdale on Wednesday Sept 23, 2009.

A trip to deepest, darkest Lancashire in the Carling Cup to face Championship opposition and pit his wits against one of Scotland's latest managerial prodigies. Harry Redknapp, as Tottenham's team bus rumbled into another quiet mill town, will not have enjoyed the sense of déjà vu.

It was just 25 miles or so down the road, of course, that, in January, Burnley came within the finest of whiskers of denying Harry Redknapp's side their ! second consecutive Carling Cup final appearance with the most improbable of comebacks. Then, only two extra-time goals saved Tottenham from humiliation. Redknapp obviously had no intention of enduring another dramatic night in the north.

He sent a side out capable of calming his fears, and by half-time, much of the work was done. Goals from Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, both clinically executed, doused the hosts' spirited start and no doubt dismissed any sense of foreboding on the touchline. There were times, though, when Redknapp's blood pumped a little quicker, his heart beat a little faster.

As if the lure of a giantkilling was not enough, Preston had the added incentive of doing what Owen Coyle's side just could not. Jon Parkin, their very own beast, hassled and harried and Ross Wallace prompted and probed. Within 40 seconds, as Parkin's deflected shot from Heurelho Gomes's poor clearance dribbled wide, Redknapp ! will have known he was not in for an easy night.

! Ditto Ir vine. Giovani Dos Santos, who lasted only 18 minutes of a rare start, hit the bar five minutes later after collecting Gareth Bale's cross 10 yards out. The chance served as a warning. Where Preston missed their next chance – Gomes acrobatically saving Billy Jones's header – Tottenham did not. Another Bale cross evaded Preston's backline and found the outstretched, telescopic leg of Crouch. Such is the difference between top and second tier.

Preston, though, remained unbowed. Parkin forced Gomes to tip one fizzing shot over before Darren Carter spurned two wonderful opportunities carved by the left foot of the supercharged Wallace.

The former West Bromwich player dragged one shot wide after Steve Elliott laid the Scot's long ball into his path, then could only swipe at the most welcoming of invitations from Wallace when the winger's clever cut back picked him out unmarked by the visitors' makeshift defence – with Tom Hud! dlestone slotting in alongside Michael Dawson - on the penalty spot.

Tottenham, again, made them pay, this time Defoe wriggling clear of both Youl Mawene and Liam Chilvers to nod the ball home, at the second attempt, despite the slightly serendipitous heroics of Andy Lonergan. Premier League teams, even in a somewhat weakened state, do not offer reprieves.

Drama, seemingly, averted. Crouch added a third, his second, in the dying minutes, tapping home Aaron Lennon's low cross as their hosts tired, their resolve gradually ebbing away. One flying Gomes save from a Wallace free kick aside, Tottenham minds started to wander, the away end's odes now of previous triumphs and future successes, all the way to Wembley.

Such thoughts, of course, are not without risk. With five minutes to go, substitute Chris Brown tapped home Neil Mellor's scuffed shot. The tension returned, albeit briefly. Redknapp bolted from his dugout, anxio! usly conducting the final few minutes, until Robbie Keane a! nd then Crouch, with a clever backheel to earn his hattrick, killed off any anxiety and all resistance.

Match details

Preston (4-5-1): Lonergan; Hart (Chaplow 52), Mawene, Chilvers, Nolan; Elliott (Mellor 78), Jones, Carter, Shumulikoski, Wallace; Parkin (Brown 78).
Subs: Henderson, Proctor, Smyth, McLaughlin.
Booked: Nolan.
Tottenham (4-3-1-2): Gomes; Hutton, Dawson (Corluka 80), Huddlestone, Bale; Bentley, Palacios, Jenas; Dos Santos (Lennon 18); Defoe (Keane 70), Crouch.
Subs: Walker (g), Naughton, Dervite, Rose.
Booked: Hutton.
Referee: P Dowd

Parma 0-2 Cagliari

A solid performance from Cagliari at Parma gave the Sardinians a deserved second victory on the trot.

Jeda got them off to the perfect start with his seventh-minute goal and Daniele Dessena doubled his side's advantage shortly before the hour mark.

It brings to an end Parma's impressive record of not having tasted defeat at the Stadio Ennio Tardini since May 2008.

It is a fantastic result for Cagliari, who before Wednesday's victory over Bari had lost all of their opening four fixtures! and they have now moved into midtable.

Parma will have been disappointed to have dropped their first home points of the season and the result sees them fall two places to seventh.

But it was nothing less than the hosts deserved after one of their worst performances since their return to the top flight and a solid team performance from their opponents.

Cagliari were in control from the off and went in front with less than seven minutes albeit in somewhat controversial circumstances.

The Parma players were up in arms when Jonathan Biabiany appeared to have been fouled by Alessandro Agostini in the area, but the referee waved play on.

Jeda raced downfield on the counter attack before slipping the ball to Andrea Cossu, who crossed it back to the Brazilian moments later to score his third goal of the season.

Cagliari would have doubled their lead 10 minutes later had it not been for Damiano Zenoni, who made a well-timed intervention to ! clear the ball just as Alessandro Matri was set to head home.

P arma were lacking in any creativity and Alberto Paloschi was obviously struggling up front as a loan striker. Cagliari defenders Michele Canini and Davide Astori were easily able to handle the isolated 19-year-old.

Francesco Guidolin brought on Valeri Bojinov shortly after the half-hour mark and Parma began to look more dangerous, but they still barely tested Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti who was largely an observer thanks to his side's excellent defence.

It was more of the same after the break as time and time again Parma found themselves halted by the Cagliari back four.

And worse was to come for the hosts who soon found themselves two goals down.

Dessena escaped his marker Blerim Dzemaili in the area and fired the ball past Antonio Mirante.

It was sweet revenge for the 22-year-old, who came through Parma's youth system, and Dessena was roundly booed by the home fans as he celebrated his goal.

Guidolin threw on Davide Lanz! afame and Nicola Amoruso halfway though the second period and Parma became more threatening in attack.

But they still could not find a chink in the Cagliari defence as they formed an unbreachable wall around Marchetti, who never had a save to make.

And it was in fact the visitors who came closest to extending their lead 10 minutes from time when Mirante did well to keep out Dessena's powerful effort from the edge of the area.

Rafael Nadal progresses in Shanghai

Spanish top seed Rafael Nadal overcame stubborn second-set resistance from compatriot Tommy Robredo to reach the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals 6-1, 6-4.

Second seed Novak Djokovic again looked impressive as he continued his imperious form in China with a 6-4 6-2 thrashing of German qualifier Rainer Schuettler.

As the debate about the draining effects of the long men's season continued with Stanislas Wawrinka and Gael Monfils becoming the sixth and seventh players to retire injured from the tournament.

Wo! rld number two Nadal, still not back at his best after an injury-disrupted second half of the season, cantered through the first set but lost his serve at the start of the second.

The 23-year-old Australian Open champion is nothing if not a fighter, however, and he battled back into the set in a marathon third game before breaking again for a 5-4 lead and serving out for victory.

Djokovic, who will move up to number three in the world next week, proved in winning the season-ending Masters Cup here last year that he has the legs to outlast his rivals.

The Serbian won the China Open title last weekend and his victory over Schuettler, which set up a tie against Gilles Simon, was his ninth in a row on Chinese soil.

"It was comfortable," the 22-year-old said. "I didn't play the last couple of games of the first set that well, but the important thing is that I played as much as I needed to win."

Sixth! seed Nikolay Davydenko defused Fernando Gonzalez's serve with! his mobility along the baseline to grab a sixth win in six meetings against the Chilean, 6-3 7-5.

"If he has a second serve, I know I have a 90 percent chance to win the point," said the seemingly indefatigable 28-year-old.

Simon, seeded eighth, was the only one of three Frenchmen to get through the third round after he notched up a 6-3 6-4 win over Czech Tomas Berdych.

Robin Soderling upset error-prone French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-3 in their encounter under the open roof of the Qizhong central arena.

Soderling is among a handful of players still in with a chance of claiming one of three remaining spots up for grabs at the season-ending World Tour Finals in London next month.

"I know that if I play well, I have a chance, but this tournament won't decide who's going to play in London," said the ninth seeded Swede, who will face Feliciano Lopez on Friday. "There's still a lot of tennis to be pl! ayed."

Swiss Wawrinka was losing 3-6 7-6 4-2 to Czech Radek Stepanek when abdominal pains caused him to withdraw, while French 11th seed Monfils was down 6-2 3-0 to Ivan Ljubicic when he quit because of a back injury. Ljubicic faces Nadal next.

Safin sweeps past Davydenko

Marat Safin opened his final Kremlin Cup campaign by ousting defending champion Nikolay Davydenko in the first round in Moscow.

Safin was runner-up in last year's final, and he came from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 6-2 and end Davydenko's bid for a fourth title in the Russian capital.

Safin, 29, who retires at the end of the season, produced 10 aces and a better all-round game against his 28-year-old opponent to win in a little under two hours.

Also through in! to the second round were Evgeny Korolev who beat fellow Russian Igor Kunitsyn 7-6 (6) 6-3 while qualifier Illya Marchenko was 4-1 up in the deciding set when Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin retired with a throat infection to seal a 1-6 6-4 4-1 result.

Russian third seed Mikhail Youzhny thrashed Potito Starace, of Italy, 6-1 6-1 in less than an hour, producing a superb service performance to reach the third round.

Pablo Cuevas, the fifth seed, had a tougher match but prevailed 3-6 6-1 6-4 against Teimuraz Gabashvili.

However, seventh seed Fabrice Santoro crashed out in straight sets to qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine.

Stakhovsky hit 11 aces and produced a far more incisive game to win 7-5 6-1 to overcome a deficit of 60 ranking places.

In the women's draw, there was a shock as third seed Agnieszka Radwanska crashed out to Russian Maria Kirilenko.

The Pole had little success on her serve with Kirilenko claiming a straightforward 6-3! 6-3 victory against an opponent ranked more than 50 places ab! ove her.

Fourth seed Flavia Pennetta also left the tournament although she was forced to retire while a set up against Agnes Szavay, the Hungarian going through 4-6 3-0.

Sixth seed Elena Vesnina was another casualty, as qualifier and fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina triumphed 6-1 3-6 6-2, the 20-year-old making nonsense of the 105 places between the pair in the world rankings.

Eighth seed Francesca Schiavone, the world number 24, came from a set down to claim a 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 6-3 victory over Nuria Llagostera Vives in two and a half hours in a match littered with errors by both players including eight double faults apiece.

The other match today saw Olga Govortsova beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 6-4.

Belgian Jupiler League Review

Club Brugge remain one point ahead of Anderlecht at the Jupiler League summit after the top two both won today.

Leaders Brugge claimed a 3-2 win at Roeselare, but were tested to the full by the league's bottom club.

Two goals in three first-half minutes from Ivan Perisic and Ronald Vargas saw the visitors in the ascendancy, but Bjarni Geir Vidarsson's penalty seven minutes into the second half pulled a goal back.

Brugge scored a third through Rostand Kouemah! a after 66 minutes before Mahamadou Dissa's 84th-minute strike made for a tense finish before the visitors secured their eighth win of the campaign.

Anderlecht also have eight wins after a 2-0 triumph at KV Mechelen.

Romelu Lukaku and Mbark Boussoufa were on target for Anderlecht, who are a point behind Brugge and five points clear of third-placed Mechelen.

Cardiff City 1 Nottingham Forest 1

The Championship game between Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday Oct 31 2009.

An injury time goal from substitute Lewis McGugan maintained Nottingham Forest's unbeaten record on the road since March and denied Cardiff top spot of the Championship.

The ball broke for McGugan on the edge of the area and he struck it firmly on the half-volley past David Marshall who had been a spectator for much of the match.

It was tough on Cardiff who had taken the lead earlier in th! e second half through Jay Bothroyd who latched onto a neat pass from Joe Ledley before side-footing beyond Lee Camp.

"It's another point on the board," said Dave Jones, the Cardiff manager, "but we should have seen the game out and our lack of knowledge let us down at the end."

The result may have been hard for Cardiff to swallow but they have still come a long way. Towards the start of November just two years ago, a crunching defeat at Charlton had many calling for the head of Jones.

His removal from the manager's office at Cardiff appeared to be just days away. Yet, this morning he has led his side to second place in Championship and has a side brimming with confidence in spite of their late, late disappointment.

It is to his credit that chairman Peter Ridsdale stuck with Jones back then but he is now ready to leave himself if new investment is forthcoming.

"We need someone to take us to the n! ext level," he said. "The moment that happens, I'll shake t! hat pers on's hand and walk away." The club have, however, denied that the former Birmingham owner, David Sullivan, is the man offering his hand.

This match was always going to be a good guide to Cardiff's progress. The visitors had won five of their six previous matches and they started well, too, with Paul Anderson, the former Liverpool youngster, a constant threat and perhaps unlucky not to win an early penalty after being pulled down by Adam Matthews.

"It was a stonewall penalty," said Forest manager Billy Davies.

But as the match progressed Cardiff dominated. For a team which failed to make the play-offs last season only on the amount of goals they managed, they have learned the importance of finding the net and both Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham have hit double figures already this season.

Only some excellent saves from Camp denied the former Aston Villa midfielder yet more goals, ones which would have! put the result well beyond Forest.

"We still need to be stronger as a unit," added Jones, while Davies beamed at his team's efforts even though he doesn't give his own side much chance of joining Cardiff at the top in spite of their run.

"We have a tremendous spirit and this is a wonderful result for us in our bid to finish in a mid table position. That would be a first-class achievement."

Match details

Cardiff City (4-4-2): Marshall, Matthews, Hudson, Gerrard, Kennedy, Burke, Ledley, McPhail (Rae 26), Whittingham, Bothroyd, Chopra.
Subs: Enckelman (g), Gyepes, Quinn, Taiwo, Feeney. McCormack.
Booked: Whittingham, Chopra.
Nottingham Forest (4-5-1): Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Cohen, Garner (McCleary 66), Moussi (McGugan 77), McKenna, Majewski (Adebola 62), Anderson, McGoldrick.
Subs: Smith (g), ! Perch, Chambers, Lynch.
Booked: Wilson. !