Thursday, December 18, 2014
Madrid stays on top at Power Rankings
Did you know that Madrid are one game away from a world championship? The Club World Cup is a curious affair whose worth is debated on an annual basis, but Carlo Ancelotti's side will win it with victory vs. San Lorenzo on Sunday. Regardless of its value, another trophy would cap a fine year for Los Blancos.
Angel Di Maria voted Argentina Player of the Year ahead of Lionel
Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria has beaten off competition from the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero to win Argentina's foreign-based Player of the Year.
Di Maria, 26, was part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final in the summer, while he played a key role in helping former club Real Madrid finally claim La Decima -- their 10th European Cup -- last season.
The Albiceleste international, who also picked up Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup winners' medals with Madrid in 2014, became the most expensive signing in British history when moving to United for an initial 59.7 million pounds in August.
Di Maria has scored three goals in 11 appearances since joining the Red Devils, although he has been ruled out of the club's last three games through injury.
It is the first time that Messi has failed to win the prized Olimpia de Plata award since 2006, despite the Barcelona player scoring 56 goals for club and country in 2014 and taking home the World Cup's Golden Ball -- an award for the tournament's best player.
Sergio Aguero has also enjoyed an impressive year, having helped Manchester City to the Premier League title last season, while he is the division's current top scorer with 14 goals this term.
Meanwhile, Lucas Pratto of Velez Sarsfield won the award for the best player in Argentina's top flight.
Di Maria, 26, was part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final in the summer, while he played a key role in helping former club Real Madrid finally claim La Decima -- their 10th European Cup -- last season.
The Albiceleste international, who also picked up Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup winners' medals with Madrid in 2014, became the most expensive signing in British history when moving to United for an initial 59.7 million pounds in August.
Di Maria has scored three goals in 11 appearances since joining the Red Devils, although he has been ruled out of the club's last three games through injury.
It is the first time that Messi has failed to win the prized Olimpia de Plata award since 2006, despite the Barcelona player scoring 56 goals for club and country in 2014 and taking home the World Cup's Golden Ball -- an award for the tournament's best player.
Sergio Aguero has also enjoyed an impressive year, having helped Manchester City to the Premier League title last season, while he is the division's current top scorer with 14 goals this term.
Meanwhile, Lucas Pratto of Velez Sarsfield won the award for the best player in Argentina's top flight.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Ozil nearing return from injury for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil feels his recovery from a knee problem is now "on the right path'' and cannot wait to get back into action.
The German international has not featured since suffering a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint against Chelsea on October 5.
The initial prognosis for a likely return was for early in 2015, and Ozil suggested he could soon be back in contention. The German international was pictured walking out for a session at the Gunners' Hertfordshire training base in the build up to last weekend's Premier League match against Newcastle.
The German international has not featured since suffering a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint against Chelsea on October 5.
The initial prognosis for a likely return was for early in 2015, and Ozil suggested he could soon be back in contention. The German international was pictured walking out for a session at the Gunners' Hertfordshire training base in the build up to last weekend's Premier League match against Newcastle.
Marc Gasol, Grizzlies outlast pesky Spurs in 3 overtimes
SAN ANTONIO -- Marc Gasol scored 26 points, including a banked-in 3-pointer as regulation expired, and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame blowing a 23-point lead for a 117-116 triple-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and 21 rebounds in the Grizzlies' sixth straight victory. Vince Carter added a season-high 18 points for Memphis (21-4).
Danny Green scored 25 points, and Tim Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for San Antonio. His jumper rattled in to force the third OT, but he finished just 5 for 15 on free throws.
Manu Ginobili added 21 points, but shot an airball on a 3-pointer in the final seconds for the Spurs. San Antonio made a season-high 17 3-pointers but was 13 for 27 on free throws, including 5 for 15 by Duncan.
Duncan hit a fallaway, high-arcing jumper that bounded on the rim three times before dropping in to tie the game at 111 at the close of the second overtime.
The shot was part of an eventful final minute in regulation and the first two overtimes.
After Green's fifth 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 92-89 lead with 2.5 seconds remaining in regulation, Gasol banked in a 30-footer against Ginobili as time expired.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and 21 rebounds in the Grizzlies' sixth straight victory. Vince Carter added a season-high 18 points for Memphis (21-4).
Danny Green scored 25 points, and Tim Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for San Antonio. His jumper rattled in to force the third OT, but he finished just 5 for 15 on free throws.
Manu Ginobili added 21 points, but shot an airball on a 3-pointer in the final seconds for the Spurs. San Antonio made a season-high 17 3-pointers but was 13 for 27 on free throws, including 5 for 15 by Duncan.
Duncan hit a fallaway, high-arcing jumper that bounded on the rim three times before dropping in to tie the game at 111 at the close of the second overtime.
The shot was part of an eventful final minute in regulation and the first two overtimes.
After Green's fifth 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 92-89 lead with 2.5 seconds remaining in regulation, Gasol banked in a 30-footer against Ginobili as time expired.
Surging Hawks hand Cavs largest loss this season
CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers' largest loss of the season didn't sit well with coach David Blatt.
"That was embarrassing, how we played," he said after the Atlanta Hawks routed Cleveland 127-98 on Wednesday night. "I apologize to all the good fans who came out here. Really, just a poor, poor performance."
Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 24 points, and the Hawks won for the 11th time in 12 games.
Mack, a reserve guard who went in averaging 3.8 points per game, made all six of his 3-pointers as the Hawks went 16-for-28 from behind the arc.
Trailing 50-38 midway through the second quarter, Atlanta outscored Cleveland 89-48 the rest of the way. The Hawks, playing without leading scorer Jeff Teague, avenged a 127-94 defeat in Cleveland on Nov. 15.
"We got blown out the first game, like blown all the way out," Mack said. "That wasn't a great feeling. We wanted to come back and see what we're made of."
LeBron James scored 21 points but didn't play in the fourth quarter, which began with Atlanta leading 95-75.
While Blatt said he didn't see any fight in his team, James didn't find the loss embarrassing but said the team had a setback defensively. The four-time MVP took an analytical approach to the defeat, Cleveland's third in four games since winning eight straight.
"That was embarrassing, how we played," he said after the Atlanta Hawks routed Cleveland 127-98 on Wednesday night. "I apologize to all the good fans who came out here. Really, just a poor, poor performance."
Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 24 points, and the Hawks won for the 11th time in 12 games.
Mack, a reserve guard who went in averaging 3.8 points per game, made all six of his 3-pointers as the Hawks went 16-for-28 from behind the arc.
Trailing 50-38 midway through the second quarter, Atlanta outscored Cleveland 89-48 the rest of the way. The Hawks, playing without leading scorer Jeff Teague, avenged a 127-94 defeat in Cleveland on Nov. 15.
"We got blown out the first game, like blown all the way out," Mack said. "That wasn't a great feeling. We wanted to come back and see what we're made of."
LeBron James scored 21 points but didn't play in the fourth quarter, which began with Atlanta leading 95-75.
While Blatt said he didn't see any fight in his team, James didn't find the loss embarrassing but said the team had a setback defensively. The four-time MVP took an analytical approach to the defeat, Cleveland's third in four games since winning eight straight.
Fernando Torres return 'impossible,' Liverpool no love for Dejan Lovren
Some people think the festive season is about counting down December's days until Christmas morning, but we all know the real fun begins on Jan. 1. Keep connected to all the buildup with Transfer Talk.
Jose says no to Torres return
Things are looking bleak for Fernando Torres. With rumours swirling that the Chelsea striker is set for an early return from his two-year loan at AC Milan,Jose Mourinho says there is no room at the Stamford Bridge inn this Christmas for the Spaniard.
Transfer-talk:Raheem Sterling not ready to commit, Nemanja Vidic back to United
Sterling stalling on new deal
With Liverpool still reeling from the hangover of a Champions League group-stage exit, the best thing they can do is slam down the hair of the dog to show they really mean business with Raheem Sterling. The trouble is the youngster isn't all that keen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)