WELCOME TO SUPER SPORTS

2011-05-09T15:01:18.643+01:00

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WELCOME TO YAHOO SPORTS.

2011-05-09T14:47:43.143+01:00

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WELCOME TO SPORTS NEWS

2011-05-09T14:37:36.044+01:00

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Gyan Wins most popular entertainer in Ghana

2011-03-25T12:07:31.274+01:00

Asamoah Gyan Ghanaian football star international Asamoah Gyan has been crowned the most popular entertainer in Ghana at the Most Popular Entertainer of Ghana (MPEG) Awards ceremony, held at the National Theatre.The college, composed of professionals and observers of different disciplines in Ghana, has selected 10 winners for the first edition include:The most entertaining personality footballer of the year: Asamoah GyanPersonality boxing's most entertaining of the year: Joseph AgbekoThe most entertaining film acting personality of the year: Adu Kofi (Agya Koo)Most of the personality of the stage acting of the Year: Andrew AdoteyThe most exciting comedy personality of the year: Benson Funny FaceThe most exciting musical personality of the year: Dede AmakyeMost Receive Broadcast Radio Personality of the Year: Banson Fife (Accra), Kwame Adinkra (Kumasi), Nana Otu Gyandoh (Takoradi)Most receive television broadcast personality of the year: Nana Aba AnamoahThe ceremony honored accomplished individuals and institutions for their contribution to the entertainment of Ghana in the last year and over the years has been a night of honors, laughter and music industry legends came out to award prices to the stars of this! MPEG honored individuals who have excelled in their respective fields, and considered by the College individuals who distinguish themselves among their peers based on monitoring of entertainment in 2010.The ceremony was hosted by singer / rapper / actor A-Plus got the crowd cracking their ribs in a certain mood. There were also performances by women Dela Hayes stripe, Kofi B, Okyeame Kwame, Bertha, and Dada Halfco.Asamoah Gyan has emerged the most popular artist after the public vote among the 10 winners. There were also awards for the National Theatre of Ghana, for his contribution to arts and entertainment in Ghana, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for veteran actress, Dzifa Glikpo.[...]

Now the season ends for Arsenal's defender Johan Djourou.

2011-03-15T11:56:16.295+01:00

ARSENAL’S defender Johan Djourou will miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder in his side’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.Johan Djourou in actionDjourou was injured in the second half at Old Trafford as he almost turned Wayne Rooney’s cross into his own net. The 24-year old took a nasty blow in reaching for the ball when team-mate Bacary Sagna crashed into him and he eventually left the field on a stretcher after extensive treatment.“Unfortunately, we have lost Djourou now for the rest of the season,” manager Arsene Wenger confirmed after the 0-2 loss that leaves the Gunners with just the Premier League to play for this season.With Thomas Vermaelen still injured, Djourou’s absence again leaves Arsenal light at the back as it heads into the title run-in. Djourou’s injury was a gloomy postscript to a shattering fortnight for Arsenal. Two weeks ago, Gunners’ supporters were talking optimistically of an unprecedented quadruple.Losses to Birmingham and Barcelona in the Carling Cup final and Champions League respectively wrecked that dream, and goals from Fabio and Wayne Rooney on either side of the break at Old Trafford now leave Arsenal with only the league title to chase.“I cannot fault our effort but things do not go our way at present,” Wenger said. “We have lost three big challenges in a strange way.“One in the last minute with a goal from nowhere, one under very strange circumstances in Barcelona and today in a match where we were not outplayed but were punished by a team that was more clinical than us.”Wenger is trying to maintain a positive air but felt the hangover from the disappointment of Tuesday’s defeat at the Nou Camp was still present in too many of his players’ performances. He noted: “Subconsciously, I feel the disappointment of Tuesday played a part in the game.Johan Djourou“You could see something has gone, not in our effort or attitude, but confidence-wise. But I don’t feel like the season is slipping away. I believe we can do it (win the title). It is a good test for us now to show we can regroup and show the mental strength and togetherness quickly.“We will have to answer this kind of question in the next two or three weeks, we have to show we have an answer. We are used to being questioned. We have to show we are strong enough to deal with it.”Now the season ends for Arsenal's defender Johan Djourou. What is your take on this, post your comments below. [...]

ICC: Collingwood focused on helping England in quarters.

2011-03-15T11:42:54.850+01:00

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Siasia Picks 20 for Obama Cup.

2011-02-22T09:38:08.638+01:00

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Cycling Great Armstrong says he's not affected by drug probe

2011-01-10T20:59:51.341+01:00

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong says he is not affected on a daily basis by an ongoing US federal investigation into drug use by cyclists. In an interview in Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald - his first newspaper interview since July - Armstrong spoke of problems affecting cycling but would not elaborate on the Food and Drug Administration investigation. Lance Armstrong © Gallo ImagesA grand jury in Los Angeles has been hearing evidence from an investigation for months in closed sessions. Asked about the hearings which were prompted by allegations by disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis, Armstrong told the Herald, "I don't let it affect me. "I have five kids to raise. I have a foundation to help run and lead. I still have, theoretically, a job - I ride my bike and train every day. It has no effect in what I do on a daily basis." In the wide-ranging Herald interview, Armstrong talks about problems facing cycling, his recent visit to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his concern for victims of flooding in Australia's Queensland and New South Wales states. The interview precedes Armstrong's appearance in the Tour Down Under in South Australia from January 16 to 23 which is likely to be his last international race. He will likely compete in the Tour of California next month before concentrating on his preparation for October's Hawaii Ironman. Armstrong indicated concern for the state of cycling and for the future of the sport given to scandal, recrimination and bitter public debate. "It's a long, long conversation that would take many, many beers to try and scratch the surface on," he said. "But it's at a sensitive state right now. Other sports have a done a good job ignoring whatever issue they may or may not have or dealing with it internally, or dealing with it through a players' union or teams' union or governing body. "Our (issues) most of the time play out in the public eye, (with) people popping off in the press. As long as that kind of anarchy exists we'll never move forward. "It's easy for people to use the UCI (International Cycling Union) as a sort of whipping boy. To me there is total lack of solidarity or unity when it comes to the athlete and the team. Whether it's entry to races, or race radios, there will still be issues. "You can never come to a consensus, which is fine. But some of it should be dealt with behind closed doors ... among the teams, among the riders who (must) come to a solution that should be the approach they move forward with. But it's not. People walk out of these meetings and immediately ... start popping off (to the media)." Armstrong said it was now too late for him to effect positive change in cycling. "Being close to 40, those days are done," he said. "Cycling has been great to me. (But) from now on, I ride for fun. I ride for pleasure. I ride for fitness. "I plan on keeping the ties I have, whether it's the local bike shop, (my) development team or multisport stuff that include bikes - triathlon or mountain bike - or charity rides I enjoy. That will be my connection.".:Got Sports Wonders:.[...]

Isner inspires US to sixth Hopman Cup title

2011-01-10T20:40:46.964+01:00

John Isner inspired the United States to Hopman Cup glory in Perth on Saturday as they beat Belgium 2-1 to win the mixed team event for the sixth time.
The world number 19 crushed Ruben Bemelmans 6-3 6-4 to level the tie after Bethanie Mattek-Sands had been beaten 7-6 6-3 by former world No 1 Justine Henin in the opening match.
Isner then joined forces with Mattek-Sands to win the deciding mixed doubles 6-1 6-3 to give the United States a well-deserved victory.

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John Isner © Gallo Images

"This has been a great, great week," Isner said. "I'd like to thank Bethanie, her back's got to be hurting because she's been carrying me all week."
The winners were each awarded a gold and diamond-encrusted tennis ball as their prize, much to the delight of Mattek-Sands.
"I actually saw these when I first got here and I thought they were the best trophy in tennis," she said. "It's been an amazing week."
Belgium were a late replacement in the final for Serbia, who had to pull out after Ana Ivanovic suffered an injury.
From 1-1 in the first set, Henin and world number 58 Mattek-Sands shared eight consecutive service breaks but both managed to hold to force a tiebreak.
Mattek-Sands had been aggressive throughout and her attacking tennis paid off when she held two set points 6-4, only for Henin to find her game just in time to take it 8-6.
The American then broke in the first game of the second set on her way to a 3-1 lead but Henin, in her first event back after six months out with a fractured elbow, then hit top gear and won 18 of the last 19 points to seal victory.
"When I heard I had to play the final I was really mentally getting ready to go to Melbourne," Henin said.
"It took me until 3-1 down in the second set to start playing my game but in the last five games I really found my level and it was good to finish with a win.
"But they were the better team today and I think the best team of the week won," Henin said. "John was just too big but it's been great preparation for the Australian Open."
Isner never gave Bemelmans a chance in the men's singles, serving 13 aces as he brushed aside the young Belgian to level the tie..:Got Sports Wonders:.(image)

Tennis: Russia's Zvonareva shows star quality

2011-01-10T20:31:58.723+01:00

Russian tennis ace Vera Zvonareva threw down the gauntlet ahead of the Australian Open with an awe-inspiring demolition of world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki in Hong Kong on Saturday.
The 26-year-old took just 56 minutes and dropped just one game as she thrashed the Dane 6-1, 6-0 on the back of an equally ruthless straight-sets win over Venus Williams at the exhibition tournament.
"It was a great match and I played some good tennis," Zvonareva said of her mesmerising performance, to cheers from the capacity crowd at the 3 600 Victoria Park stadium.

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Vera Zvonareva © Gallo Images

"I'm just happy to be back here in Hong Kong. I'm enjoying the atmosphere – everyone came here to support us. It was my first two matches out here in Hong Kong to start the season and I'm definitely excited about it.
"And the way I played those two matches, I'm very happy, so hopefully I can keep the form and play some good tennis in Australia."
Wozniacki, 20, who rose to the top of the rankings in October last year, topped the bill at this week's Hong Kong Tennis Classic World Team Challenge.
But it was her Russian rival who has emerged as the player to be feared when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne on January 17.
Zvonareva, who enjoyed a career-best season last year, pounced on her opponent's weak second serve without mercy and overwhelmed the Dane at the baseline, taking the first set in just 25 minutes.
Wozniacki, renowned for her consistency, made an uncharacteristic 10 unforced errors against just one winner in the first set and quickly dropped two service games in the second as Zvonareva took complete control.
"Vera played very well today – I definitely didn't play to my level," said a circumspect Wozniacki. "I had some good shots but then I had some very bad shots and the wrong selection of shots. I just need to learn from this one."
The Hong Kong exhibition, which ends on Saturday, features four three-player teams, representing Europe, Russia, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
Russia had an overnight 1-0 lead over Europe in the gold final after Maria Kirilenko beat France's Aravane Rezai 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
But Sweden's six-time Grand Slam singles champion Stefan Edberg, 44, drew Europe level after winning 6-4, 6-0 in his "legends" singles rubber against Russia's 36-year-old French and Australian Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
Earlier, the Americas' John McEnroe and five-time Wimbledon winner Williams won the consolation silver group final for losing semifinalists, beating Asia-Pacific's Australian Mark Philippoussis and Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 6-2, 7-6.
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Formula 1: McLaren to launch after Valencia

2011-01-10T20:25:13.748+01:00

McLaren will run an interim chassis for the Formula One test at Valencia on 1 February, revealing its 2011 car only later.
Formula One's busiest season ever gets under way with a test at Valencia in Spain on 1 February.
Red Bull, championship winning team in 2010, will have its new car ready for the test, but McLaren (championship runner-up) will only launch its 2011 car, the MP4-26, on 4 February.

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McLaren MP4-25

McLaren said the 2011 launch will take place in Berlin.
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Nigerian star Uche Okafor is dead

2011-01-10T20:16:14.774+01:00

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Uche Okafor

Former Nigeria international, Uche Okafor, was found dead at his Dallas, Texas home in the United States of America (USA) early on Thursday.

- Vote for Nigeria's 50 greatest players

Ben Iroha, a former Nigerian team-mate of Uche between 1990 and 1994, told SuperSport.com that he received the shock news via a telephone conversation from the United States that the 43-year-old has died. “Seriously I still find it hard to believe when I got the call from the US yesterday (Thursday) evening. This is a really sad way to begin the year,” said Iroha.
Iroha added that he is yet to know what really transpired up to the death of his former teammate.
“I am yet to know what happened. But I feel so sad to hear this because he was a very marvelous friend and brother,” said the former Heartland assistant coach.
However, there are still no details concerning surrounding the death of the former winner of the Africa Cup of Nations. The former Nigerian footballer was said to have taken his daughter to school early Thursday and was later found dead in his US home.
The police in the United States are said to have cordoned off the home of Okafor, as a coroner is carrying out an inquest into circumstance surrounding his death.
Okafor’s professional career began at defunct ACB of Lagos before he moved to KRC Mechelen.
The late Nigerian player has also played for Hannover 96 before ending his career at Sporting Kansas City, formerly known as Kansas City Wizards.
Late Okafor also featured in one of the four matches of Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the 1994 Fifa World Cup in the USA. He was also a football pundit on African football for ESPN until his death.
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Mourinho wins Coach of the Year award

2011-01-10T20:16:14.785+01:00

Jose Mourinho was named world coach of the year on Monday for securing the treble of Champions League, Serie A title and Italian Cup with Inter Milan last season.
The 47-year-old Portuguese - known as the 'Special One' - edged out Spain's World Cup winning coach Vicente Del Bosque and Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, who he is now crossing swords with as Real Madrid boss.
In landing the Champions League with Inter - when they beat Bayern Munich in the final last season - he became only the third coach to win European club football's most prestigious trophy with two different clubs having first landed it with Porto in 2004.
The others were Ernst Happel, with Feyenoord in 1970 and Hamburg in 1983, and Ottmar Hitzfeld, who guided Borussia Dortmund to the 1997 trophy and then Bayern Munich in 2001.
Mourinho, never one to hide his high opinion of himself had in typically punchy fashion insisted last month that he and not Del Bosque was truly deserving of the honour.

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Jose Mourinho © Gallo Images

"Me, I've made my choice. 11 months work, 57 matches played, three titles including the most important of all, 'THE' tournament, the Champions League. I have won everything, I could not do any more than that, equally so for the players."
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.:Barclays Premier League: Beckham arrives at Tottenham

2011-01-10T20:16:14.791+01:00

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Beckham in a practice session

David Beckham arrived at Tottenham's training ground on Monday, with the Premier League club still hoping they can take the former England captain on loan.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder turned up at Spurs' facility in Chigwell, northeast London for a medical but did not speak to reporters. Tottenham, who have reached the knockout phase of the Champions League, have said Beckham will only be training with them but manager Harry Redknapp is still hopeful of signing the player on loan during the rest of the US off-season.
Beckham, after his initial visit, returned to Chigwell later Monday wearing Spurs training kit, fuelling speculation the loan deal could yet go ahead. The 35-year-old has not played for an English club since he turned out for Manchester United on the final day of the 2002-03 season.
He is set to return to Chigwell on Tuesday to train with the Spurs first team squad ahead of their match against league leaders United at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

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Afellay Makes Dream Barcelona Move

2011-01-10T20:16:53.415+01:00

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Ibrahim Afellay © Action Images

Netherlands midfielder Ibrahim Afellay completed his transfer to Barcelona from PSV Eindhoven when he signed a four and a half year contract on Friday.. align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=t0bf1-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000I9Q2OG&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;">
Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told a news conference the 24-year-old would be the only player brought in during the January transfer window and the Spanish champions' squad was now complete.
PSV received three million euros for Afellay and the attacking midfielder's new contract includes a buyout clause worth €100 million, Barcelona said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat).
The Dutch club would also get an unidentified percentage of any future transfer fee if Afellay was sold on, the statement added.
Afellay, who is the latest in a long line of Dutch players at the Catalan club, will wear the number 20 shirt.
He will be eligible to make his first appearance for Barca in the La Liga match at home to Levante on Januar 2.
"He is a player who has the characteristics of FC Barcelona," Zubizarreta said.
"He can play in every position in the centre of the pitch, is in superb physical condition and of an age that mixes youth with experience."(image)

Top 5 ugliest players

2010-12-27T11:45:50.067+01:00

I came across recently on the internet the names of the top ugliest players in the world. The list was incredible so I decide to take the first 5 most ugliest and blog with it. Here come the name of the world top 5 ugliest players.1. Wayne Rooney:Wayne Rooney 2. Ronaldinho:Ronaldinho 3. Carlos TevezCarlos Tevez4. Peter Crouch:Peter Crouch 4. Ronaldo:Ronaldo Do U have any doubt about my list of the world most ugliest players? If you have anything to say, simply post your comments below.[...]

Top 5 ugliest players

2010-12-27T11:38:03.970+01:00

I came across recently on the internet the names of the top ugliest players in the world. The list was incredible so I decide to take the first 5 most ugliest and blog with it. Here come the name of the world top 5 ugliest players.1. Wayne Rooney:Wayne Rooney 2. Ronaldinho:Ronaldinho 3. Carlos TevezCarlos Tevez4. Peter Crouch:Peter Crouch 4. Ronaldo:Ronaldo Do U have any doubt about my list of the world most ugliest players? If you have anything to say, simply post your comments below.[...]

Basketball: Weekly Roundup.

2010-12-27T11:39:39.127+01:00

Griffin, Gordon lead Clippers over Suns -- The AP reports: Squirming on the Clippers’ bench for the final 2:52 while the Phoenix Suns sliced a 10-point deficit to one was a gut-wrenching experience for rookie Blake Griffin, who wasn’t able to exhale until Eric Gordon made a game-saving steal in the final minute. Griffin had 28 points and 12 rebounds for his 18th straight double-double before fouling out for the second time this season, and the Clippers nearly blew an 18-point advantage before beating Phoenix 108-103 on Sunday to end a streak of nine straight losses to the Suns... Gordon scored 24 points and Baron Davis added 15 points and nine assists to complement Griffin’s 24th double-double of the season. Newly acquired Mickael Pietrus scored a season-high 25 points for Phoenix. Steve Nash finished with 21 points and 15 assists on “Boxing Day,” which is a national holiday in his native Canada. Grant Hill had 19 points and seven rebounds while guarding Griffin, and even got under his skin on more than one occasion.Los Angeless Clippers over power Suns.Beasley’s basket gives Timberwolves 98-97 win -- The AP reports: Michael Beasley was happy with his winning shot. He was happier with his game-saving defensive play. Beasley scored on a driving layup with 5.9 seconds left to give Minnesota a 98-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, snapping the Timberwolves’ losing streak at seven... “It was extra sweet to do it on the defensive end,” said Beasley, who had 28 points. “I forced him into a bad shot and we got the win.” Jamison, who led Cleveland with 24 points, thought he was fouled and said Beasley told him after the play that he had indeed fouled him... Luke Ridnour scored 23 points to help Minnesota improve to 7-24. Love added 16, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and had 18 rebounds for his NBA-leading 26th double-double. Anthony Parker had 21 and Mo Williams added 17 for the Cavaliers. Trailing 62-57 midway through the third quarter, the Cavaliers pulled ahead on a 31-12 run to take an 88-74 lead with 8:07 to play. Jawad Williams hit three 3-pointers and J.J. Hickson scored five points during the run.Beasley’s basket gives Timberwolves 98-97 winBoozer leads Bulls past Pistons in overtime -- The AP reports: The Chicago Bulls almost gave away a game Sunday night. In the end, though, the two best players on the floor made the difference. Carlos Boozer had 31 points and 11 rebounds, Derrick Rose added 23 points and 12 rebounds and the Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons 95-92 in overtime... Tayshaun Prince led a balanced Detroit attack with 17 points. Tracy McGrady and Hamilton both finished with 15 as Kuester chose to go with them over starters Villanueva and Ben Gordon for most of the fourth quarter and overtime.Chigago BullsGay scores 30 points in Grizzlies’ win over Pacers -- The AP reports: The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Indiana Pacers inside and outside. Rudy Gay scored 30 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and 16 rebounds and the Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak with a 104-90 victory over the Pacers Sunday night... O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol added 17 points each for Memphis. The Grizzlies improved to 5-11 on the road and 13-17 overall... Danny Granger led the Pacers with 29 points and five rebounds. Roy Hibbert had 14 points and Mike Dunleavy added 10 for Indiana (13-15), which missed an opportunity to climb back to .500 and was denied its fourth set of back-to-back victories. The Pacers were coming off a 94-93 home victory over New Orleans on Monday ni[...]

Basketball: Parker spurs San Antonio to win.

2010-12-27T10:53:20.564+01:00

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) – Tony Parker scored 20 points and made 14 assists to help the San Antonio Spurs rebound from their worst loss of the season with a 94-80 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

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Reuters – San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (L) drives against Orlando Magic forward Ryan Anderson (R) during …

Manu Ginobili added a team-high 21 for the Spurs who were beaten 123-101 by the Orlando Magic on Thursday, a defeat that had snapped San Antonio's 10-game winning streak.
The Spurs knocked down 10 three-pointers and held a 16-point lead after three quarters to improve their NBA-best record to 26-4. San Antonio will meet the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
"We talked about it this morning at shoot around - make sure we respect (Washington) and prepare for the Lakers," Parker told reporters. "We played well tonight. We moved the ball and made some open shots."
San Antonio has thrived this year with a balanced offense despite career-low point and rebound averages from veteran Tim Duncan.
The 34-year-old Duncan had just five points and nine rebounds as the Spurs took a six-point lead into halftime before polishing off the shorthanded Wizards.
Rashard Lewis led the Wizards with 21 points and 12 rebounds in just his second game with the team after being acquired from the Orlando Magic in a trade for Gilbert Arenas last week.
The trade is expected to provide more opportunity for top draft pick John Wall, who came off the bench and scored four points in his first action since missing five games with a bruised knee. He has missed 12 games this season due to injury.
"You can see John (Wall) is a little rusty," said Wizards coach Flip Saunders. "It's going to take us some time to get him back in the fold."
Washington were also without Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. Local media reported they had been suspended for one game after getting involved in a nightclub altercation on Friday.
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Tennis: American Wayne Odesnik has doping ban suspended

2010-12-27T10:41:30.016+01:00

American Wayne Odesnik has had a two-year doping ban suspended after 12 months, allowing him to return to action from 29 December.

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Odesnik never tested positive for HGH

Odesnik admitted in March to taking human growth hormone into Australia.
An International Tennis Federation (ITF) ban - backdated to 29 December - followed but that has now been halved.
The ITF decision followed "substantial assistance provided by Mr Odesnik in relation to the enforcement of professional rules of conduct".
Odesnik, a former world number 77, was ranked 111 in the world when his original ban was set in April but has now slipped off the ATP rankings altogether.
He was stopped by customs officers on 2 January when he arrived in Australia ahead of the Brisbane International tournament and was subsequently fined Aus$8,000 (£4,850).
Eight vials, each containing six milligrams of the performance-enhancing substance, were found in his baggage, although he never tested positive for HGH.(image)

John Mikel Obi - Africa's under-rated football genius

2010-12-27T11:45:50.070+01:00

John Mikel Obi may be the most under-rated football great in Nigeria's history. - Vote for Nigeria's 50 greatest playersA player who has played only at the very top of European football (for 5 years), in a club considered one of the best in Europe, and in a team that boasts an all-international cast from various countries, Mikel surely cannot be an ordinary football player. Yet, since his emergence on the national football stage in 2005, I have not seen Nigerians kindle support for Mikel the way they do when players like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Finidi George and a number of other truly exceptional players graced our football fields. When any of these players were not in Nigeria's line-up there was usually a spontaneous outburst of emotion, but not with Mikel. Even when Samson Siasia dropped him from the Olympic team on the eve of the Beijing Games, after he led the under-20 national team to the finals of the World Youth Championship in Holland, there was no national outcry or outburst of protest. It was almost like 'he had it coming'. In public Mikel has always been rather subdued and lacking in emotive expression. This may be partly due to his attitude to invitations when he started out as a young teenager in Chelsea. He was not in a hurry to come to the national camp when he had not secured a place in the English premiership team that was brimming with talent from all over the world. Leaving his foreign team to fight for a place in any of the Nigerian national teams would have been a distraction and might have affected how quickly he secured a permanent position in a team that had a scrupulous coach like Mourinho in charge. Mourinho needed a player's total commitment to the club for them to become regulars. One thing was apparent though. Mikel was a great talent and everyone who saw him play as a child knew that. What was not agreed, even among football coaches, was what position to use him on the field. That matter was settled by Mourinho. He converted Mikel from his original central midfield role to a more defensive role in front of the back four.Mikel has been stuck in that position ever since. Every attempt by other coaches to use him elsewhere has fallen flat.Slowly but surely Mikel Obi has grown. His football has developed so much that he has become one of the most permanent fixtures in the Chelsea line-up in the past two seasons.It is, therefore, rather shocking that this year, when Mikel has finally secured a regular place in Chelsea's midfield and is playing some of the best football of his life, he has not been nominated for Africa's Player of the Year Award. This is despite the fact that the continent has been finding it difficult to bring up new greats to take over from Eto’o, Essien and Drogba, who have dominated the awards list more than any others this past decade. The situation was so bad that, to break the monotony of those names, CAF had to give two of the last three awards to Kanoute and Adebayor: players who were not convincingly deserving of them. For that move Eto’o alone could very easily have won the award an embarrassing four or five times.This year, Ghana's Asamoah Gyan has come in to 'rescue' the situation. I believe that this weekend he should have been crowned king of African football even though the football the young man has played this past year was surely way behind the standard displayed by several of those who won the same awards in the past. At the time when Africa had the likes of Rashidi, Abed[...]

Liverpool Looking For City's Johnson

2010-12-27T11:45:50.073+01:00

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson, it was revealed on the club's website.

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Michael Johnson.

The Eastlands midfielder has spent the best part of two seasons out injured or off form and it appears that Roberto Mancini sees the youngster as very surplus to requirements and Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing the former Everton youth team player back to Merseyside. Johnson has not started a Premier League match since August 2008 but the Anfield boss believes the former England U21 has enough potential to forge a top tier career and hopes to persuade Man City to sell the player to Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson is under instructions to bring in additions that have suit the club's long term plans and with the help of Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli Liverpool have begun constructing a list of preferred targets and Michael Johnson is a player that reportedly interests both parties.
A move for the 22-year-old midfielder would cost around £8m and given that Mancini has been told to cut back on unneccesary costs the Eastlands club may well listen to offers for a player who appears to be very low down the Man City pecking order.(image)

Barcelona announce US trip

2010-12-27T11:45:50.076+01:00

Barca plans to visit the US.
Barcelona are to tour the United States as part of their preseason calendar next summer, with games planned against Manchester United, AC Milan and Mexican team America.
The Catalan club said on its website on Thursday that the club will also play in Munich, Germany and Split, Croatia.
The United match is scheduled for July 30 in Washington D.C., with the game against Milan on August 3 in Miami.

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Barcelona Players Celebrating.

The tour will conclude in Dallas on August 6 with Barcelona taking on America.
The club hopes the six-date tour, which includes three matches in Europe before the team departs for the US, will net Barcelona €6.2 million.
Barcelona toured the US as part its preseason preparations in 2008 and 2009.
The team is likely to be without forward Lionel Messi, right back Daniel Alves and midfielder Javier Mascherano because of the Copa America in Argentina, which ends July 24.
Messi and Mascherano are regulars on Argentina's national team and Daniel Alves on Brazil's.(image)

Champions League Draw: Bayern Munich Meet Inter Again, as Barcelona Await Arsenal Test

2010-12-27T11:45:50.082+01:00

Champions League Draw: Bayern Munich Meet Inter Again, Barcelona Await Arsenal TestLast year's finalists Inter and Bayern Munich will meet in the round of 16 this season, while 2006 finalists Barcelona and Arsenal face a rematch of their game as well. Friday's draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League resulted in a number of interesting ties. Last year's finalists Inter and Bayern Munich will meet in the round of 16 this year. Diego Milito fired the Nerazzurri to Champions League glory last year and the Germans will be gunning for revenge this time around. Another interesting tie will be the match between Arsenal and Barcelona. The Spaniards proved to be too strong for the Gunners last year and also beat Arsenal in the 2006 CL final. Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid are one of the favourites to lift the trophy this year, but they'll have to deal with Olympique Lyonnais if they are to go far. The French side beat Madrid in the round of 16 last term and will be eager to cause another upset this term. Meanwhile, Premier League representatives Tottenham Hotspur travel to San Siro again. They met Inter in the group stage and will now have to deal with Milan.[...]

Champions League Draw: Bayern Munich Meet Inter Again, as Barcelona Await Arsenal Test

2010-12-20T17:52:42.381+01:00

Champions League Draw: Bayern Munich Meet Inter Again, Barcelona Await Arsenal TestLast year's finalists Inter and Bayern Munich will meet in the round of 16 this season, while 2006 finalists Barcelona and Arsenal face a rematch of their game as well. Friday's draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League resulted in a number of interesting ties. Last year's finalists Inter and Bayern Munich will meet in the round of 16 this year. Diego Milito fired the Nerazzurri to Champions League glory last year and the Germans will be gunning for revenge this time around. Another interesting tie will be the match between Arsenal and Barcelona. The Spaniards proved to be too strong for the Gunners last year and also beat Arsenal in the 2006 CL final. Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid are one of the favourites to lift the trophy this year, but they'll have to deal with Olympique Lyonnais if they are to go far. The French side beat Madrid in the round of 16 last term and will be eager to cause another upset this term. Meanwhile, Premier League representatives Tottenham Hotspur travel to San Siro again. They met Inter in the group stage and will now have to deal with Milan.[...]

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