Monday, March 24, 2014

Uncertainty Over Tiger's Masters Participation

Tiger Woods (38), the world number one ranked golf player is not sure, if he will be able to play in the up coming Masters, as a result of the back spasms, that has been troubling him for a while now.

Last week he withrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, which he has won eight times before.

He has already had two weeks rest from the persistent aching back problem but it seem not okay yet.


Tiger Woods
 
''For Augusta, it's actually still a little too soon,'' Tiger Woods said. ''That's the frustrating thing about this.''

''I've had a couple of weeks off and getting treatment and working on trying to get it ready for Augusta. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

The top golfer said that it is too soon to be able to say, whether he will be able to play in the Masters or not and that is frustrating to him.

''As of right now, still too soon, which is very frustrating,'' he said.

Woods has won 14 majors and is chasing the 18 record of jack Nicklaus. But health and domestic problems he has had in the past couple of years, has contributed in the set back to that dream.

Tiger has already won four times at the Augusta National, the last being in 2005. He came back from his problems and won five tournaments last year and seem like he will be able to win a major this year, but with this latest back spasm, nobody knows what will happen. I wish him speedy recovery.

Amir Kahn To Fight Collazo

The pakistani British born boxer Amir Kahn (27), will be debuting in the Welterweight bout on the undercard for the WBC champion, Floyd Mayweather's fight against Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas.

Amir Kahn made the announcement on his twitter page, that he will be fighting the Puerto Rican boxer, Luis Collazo on the 3rd of May.

Amir  Kahn

He was hoping to fight the undefeated American champion, Floyd Mayweather, but in the last minute the champion chose to fight Maidana instead, which made the British fighter to angrily say that he (Mayweather), ''wanted an easier fight.''

''Mayweather decided not to take the fight with me, probably because he thought I would be the first to take away his unbeaten record, and is now fighting somebody I've already beaten,'' he said.

''I think the fight with Mayweather will happen one day, but I'm not rushing and it will happen when I'm ready.''

Amir Kahn was a two time world champion in the WBA and IBF light-welterweight category. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

He achieved this at the age of 22 years, and he was the youngest British boxer to win a silver medal in the olympics, at the age of 17 years, in the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Kahn was obviously disappointed, because the Weltherweight category is where the money is being made.

He has not fought since last April, when he defeated Julio Diaz (32), in Sheffield. The boxer said that, he has spoken to Mayweather and the champion promised him, that they will fight one day.




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Robben Extends His Bayern Contract

Arjan Robben (30), the Bayern Munich and Dutch international, has extended his contract with the German giants until 2017. The former contract was to expire in 2015.

There was speculations in some quarters of the media, that he may leave at the end of his contract, as a number of clubs were interested in signing him.

But in order to put the rumour to rest he said recently, that it was a matter of time, before he will extend his contract. And now it is done.

Arjan Robben
After the highly gifted winger had put pen to paper, he said that he was happy to sign a new deal, which will afford him the opportunity to win more trophies with the Baverian club.

''I am very happy that the contract has been signed now and I will continue to fight for trophies with Bayern,'' he said.

''I am currently in my fifth year at Bayern and there are three more to come. This is the perfect signal to show that my family and I are happy in Munich and at Bayern,'' he added.

''I am looking forward to the next few years and many more titles,'' he said.

The chairman of the club, Mr Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said after the player signed the new deal. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''Arjan has proved his worth to FC Bayern. He is a fundermentally important member of the team and will now remain so for the years to come.''

Monday, March 17, 2014

Some Major European Weekend League Results

EPL

Aston Villa      1  -  0    Chelsea
Swansea          1  -  2    West Brom
Hull                 0  -  2    Man City
Everton            2  -  1   Cardiff
Fulham            1  -  0    Newcastle 
Soton               4  -  2    Norwich
Stoke               3  -  1    West Ham
Sunderland      0  -  0    Crystal Palace
Tottenham       0  -  1    Arsenal
Man United     0  -  3    Liverpool

French Ligue 1

Reims                1  - 1    Marseille
Sochaux            2   -  0   Lorient
Rennes              2  -  3   Toulouse
Nice                  2  -  0   Bastia
Evian Thonon   0  -  1   Valenciennes
Ajaccio             1  -  2   Guingamp
Lille                  0  -  0   Nantes
Montpellier       1  -  1   Bordeaux
Lyon                 2  -  3   Monaco
PSG                  2  -  0   St Etienne

Dutch Eredivisie

Cambuur            3  -  2   RKC Waalwijk
Heracles             2  -  1   Roda JC
Ado Den Haag   2  -  1   Groningen
Vitesse               1  -  2    PSV
NAC                  0  -  0    Ajax
Zwolle               2  -  0    Go Ahead Eagles
NEC                  2  -  2    Utrecht
Feyenoord         2  -  0    Heerenveen
Twente              2  -  1    AZ  Alkmaar

Spanish La Liga

Getafe                  3  -  3    Granada
Atletico Madrid   1  -  0    Espanyol
Malaga                 0  -  1    Real Madrid
R. Vallecano        3  -  1    Almeria
Levante                0  -  1    Celta de Vigo
Barcelona             7  -  0    Osasuna
Elche                    0  -  0    Real Betis
Sevilla                  4  -  1    Real Valladolid
Real Sociedad      1  -  0    Valencia

German Bundesliga

Augsburg              1  -  2    Schalke 04
Bayern                  2  -  1    Leverkusen
Werder Bremen    1  -  1    Stuttgart
Hertha                   0  -  3    Hannover 96
B. Braunschweig  1  -  1    Wolfsburg
B. Dortmund         1  -  2    B. M'gladbach
Hoffenheim           2  -  4    Mainz  05
Hamburg               2  -  1    Nurnberg
E. Frankfurt           1  -  4    Freiburg

Italian Serie A

Verona                  0  -  2    Inter
Sassuolo                3  -  1    Catania
Milan                     2  -  4    Parma
Livorno                  2  -  1    Bologna
Cagliari                  0  -  2    Lazio
Atalanta                  3  -  0   Sampdoria
Fiorentina               3  -  1   Chievo
Genoa                     0  -  1   Juventus

Portueguese Premeira Liga

Academica              1  -   1   Sporting Braga
Vitoria Guimaraes   1  -  2    Pacos de Ferreira
Estoril - Praia           1  -  0   Maritimo
Gil Vicente               1  -  2   Rio Ave
Sporting Lisbon        1  -  0   Porto
Belenenses                1  -  3   Vitoria Setubal
Arouca                      2  -  0   Olhanense

Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

  




  

Friday, March 14, 2014

Hoeness Steps Down As Bayern President

The former Bayern and German international, and the President of Bayern Munich club, Mr Uli Hoeness (62), has stepped down from his role on Friday, after being sentenced to three and half years prison term for a tax evation on Thursday.

Mr Hoeness who was a World Cup winning player in 1974 and an icon of Bayern Munich as a player was initially charged for tax evation of €3.5m, but in the process of the court proceedings it was discovered that he hid €27.2m from the government in a secret Swiss bank account.

Mr Uli Hoeness

After the verdict, he released a statement in the website of the club which stated, ''After discussion with my family, I have decided to accept the judgement of the District Court of Munich, regarding my tax conviction,'' he wrote.

''I have instructed my lawyers not to appeal. This corresponds to my understanding of decency and personal responsibility.''

''Tax evation was a mistake in my life. The consequences of this error I must implement myself,'' he said.

''In addition, I resign with immediate effect my duties as President and Chairman of Bayern Munich.'' Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

 ''I want to avoid causing harm for my club. Bayern Munich's my life's work and will also remain so,'' he added.

Mr Uli Hoeness, played 346 games for Bayern and scored 111 goals. He won three league titles from 1971 to 1974. He also won three European Cup from 1973 to 1976.

He played for Germany for 35 times from 1972 to 1974 and scored 5 goals. Mr Hoeness won European Championship in 1972 and World Cup in 1974 with the national team.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Bayern Knocked Arsenal Out Of UCL

In the Champions League match last night Arsenal was knocked out by the defending champions - Bayern Munchen after the two teams drew 1 - 1 in their second encounter in Munich.

Bayern won the first leg of the duels in London 2 - 0 and go through on a 3 - 1 aggregate. The first half of the match ended in 0 - 0 with the host team having more possession of the ball.

In the 54th minute of the second half Frank Ribery saw Bastian Schweinsteiger in front the goalkeeper unmarked and taylored a great pass to him, which he immediately put into the net, for a 1 - 0 lead.

Arsenal responded and got the equalizer in the 57th minute through the Polish-German international, Lukas Podolski, after beating defender and captain Philip Lahm, and shot the ball on the top left of the roof of the net.

Lukas Podolski with Mesut Ozil
 
In the 90th minute Arjan Robben, was once again brought down in the box and a penalty was given and just as the Nigerian-Austrian born David Alaba missed the penalty in London, the substitute Thomas Muller's penalty in Munich was saved by Fabianski.
After the match Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, repeated to the media his criticism of Arjan Robben in the manner he seeks for penalties.

''Robben is very good at getting the maximum of nothing. He is a great player and a very good diver,'' he said.

''He is a fantastic player, I would not deny that, he's one of the best players in the world.

''But he gets in front of a player and then he slows down and goes down. He gets the free-kicks,'' Mr Wenger added.

The highly talented Dutch international, insisted that on both occassions in London and Munich, the referees were correct to give him penalties. He said that it was the complaints of a manager who lost, and he would not defend himself from the comment.

''If you lose, don't start complaining about silly things. It was two penalties,'' he insisted. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''I don't want to defend myself from a big manager, you expect a little bit more if you lose,'' Robben said.

The Bayern manager Pep Guardiola, who was obviously elated with the performance of his team, told the media after the game.

''In the first half we only had one chance, but we didn't give them any chances, so we played very well in that aspect and we wanted to put a bit pressure up front.''

The defending champions are through to the quater final and they are hoping that with their new tactician, Pep Guardiola, to do what no other team has done in the Champions League and that is to win the trophy back to back.

In the other Champions League encounter of the night, the Spanish club which is in-form, Atletico Madrid, crushed the six time Champions League winners AC Milan to a 4 - 1 defeat in Madrid. Atletico go through on a 5 - 1 aggregate. The Brazilian Diego Costa scored twice, with one each from Turan and Garcia.

Tonight FC Barcelona will host Manchester City and they have a 2 - 0 lead in the first encounter. It is an uphill task for the Citizens, but not unsumantable. Barcelona this season is performing below their standard. They are not as consistent as before, but with Messi regaining his form now, they are likely to go through to the quater final.

In the other match tonight Paris Saint Germain (PSG) will be hosting Bayer Leverkusen. PSG not only have the home advantage but also they thrashed Leverkusen 4 - 0 in the first leg. Both matches will be played 20.45 (cet).

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Rosicky And Mertesacker Signs Arsenal Deals

Arsenal: The central defender of the club Per Mertesacker (29), and the club midfielder Tomas Rosicky (33), have just signed new contracts with the London club. The duration of the contract was not mentioned in the club's website. The manager said in the site after the signing.

''They are players of exceptional quality and experience. They have consistently proven themselves at the highest level,'' Arsene Wenger, said.

''There is a great feeling of togetherness and belief in the group and this news will only help to strengthen this further,'' he added.


Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky during training

The two players have been major performers in the resurgence of the team this season, so it is understandable that Wenger was happy with them.

After signing the new contract Per Mertesacker, said, ''I'm really looking forward to having more years coming up with this fantastic club,'' the German international said. Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

''It took me a while to realise I can be a main part of this squad. Now I want to show that. We need to get everyone ready at this club and get the best out of everyone,'' he added.

On his on part the Czech Republic international, Tomas Rosicky, said that the reason why he signed a new contract with the club was because he wants to win the league title with the club.

''I want to win the league with Arsenal. It's my big goal and I will do everything I can to achieve it,'' he said..

Carles Puyol Is To Leave Barcelona

The captain of FC Barcelona, Carles Puyol (35), said in a press conference that he will be leaving the Spanish giants at the end of this season, even though his contract with the club will end in 2016.

He said that he has reached an agreement with the club, so that he will be able to leave at the end of this season's campaign.

Puyol who has won so many titles with the club since his 1999 debut, has suffered some injuries that has kept him from performing at his best recently.

Carles Puyol of Barcelona

He has had some surgeries on his knee, but he is still hampered by the problem. It was the knee injury that prevented him from participating in the 2012 European Championship in Ukraine and Poland.

''After the last two operations it has been difficult for me to recover the level I need to be able to continue here, more than I expected. That is why I have taken this decision,'' he told the media.

''There are three months of the season left and I won't be giving up,'' he said.

When he was asked what he planned to do after the season is over. He replied that he did not know what he will be doing, but that he will take a good rest in the summer.

He also said that, he will like to have another press conference at the end of the season, so that he will say a preoper goodbye, after being at the club for 19 years.

''I don't know what I will do after 30 June, but I'm sure that in the summer I will rest,'' the energetic Barcelona captain said.

''I would like to have a news conference at the end of the season, to say a proper goodbye after a total of 19 years at the club,'' he added.
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com

Since his debut, he has made almost 400 appearances for the Spanish giants winning many titles for the club and also the national team. So far this seasson he has made only 12 appearances for the club.

Titles
Club: Six Spanish League titles
Champions League: Three
Uefa Super Cup: Two
Fifa Club World Cup: Two
Copa Del Rey: Two
Spanish Super Cup: Six
National Team Title: World Cup 2010 and EuropeanChampionship 2008

Monday, March 3, 2014

Some Major European Weekend League Results

German Bundesliga

Hertha Berlin           0  -  0   Freiburg
Bayern                     5  -  1   Schalke 04
Werder Bremen       1  -  0   Hamburg
Augsburg                 1  -  1   Hannover 96
E. Braunschweig     1  -   1   M'gladbach
B. Dortmund           3  -   0   Nurnburg
Hoffenheim             6  -   2   Wolfsburg
B. Leverkusen         0  -   1   Mainz 05
E. Frankfurt             2  -   1   Stuttgart

Dutch Eredivisie

Heracles                   1  -  2    Heerenveen
Vitesse                     3  -  0    Roda JC
Go Ahead Eagles     2  -  3    PSV
Zwolle                      3  -  3    NEC
Ado Den Haag         1  -  1    NAC  Breda
Utrecht                     1  -  1    Twente
Groningen                1  -  1    Cambuur
Feyenoord                1  -  2    Ajax
AZ Alkmaar             4  -  0    RKC Waalwijk

EPL

Everton                       1  -  0    West Ham United
Fulham                        1  -  3    Chelsea
Hull                             1  -  4    Newcastle United
Stoke City                   1  -  0    Arsenal
Southampton (Soton)  1  -  3    Liverpool
Tottenham                   1  -  0    Cardiff City
Swansea City               1  -  1    Crystal Palace
Aston Villa                  4  -  1     Norwich City
Sunderland                   p  -  p    West Brom


Spanish La Liga

Athletic Bilboa            4  -  0    Granada
Elche                            1  -  0    Celta de Vigo
Getafe                          0  -  0    Espanyol
Levante                        2  -  0    Osasuna
Malaga                         1  -  1    Real Valladolid
Atletico Madrid            2  -  2    Real Madrid
Barcelona                     4  -  1    Almeria
Viallarreal                     1  -  1    Real Betis
Sevilla                           1  -  0    Real Sociedad
Rayo Vallecano             1  -  0   Valencia

Italian Serie A

Roma                            0  -  0    Inter
Livorno                         1  -  1    Napoli
Cagliari                         3  -  0    Udinese
Verona                          0  -  0    Bologna
Torino                           0  -  2    Sampdoria
Sassuolo                        0  -  1    Parma
Genoa                            2  -  0    Catania
Atalanta                         2  -  1    Chievo
Milan                             0  -  2    Juventus
Fiorentina                      0  -  1    Lazio

French Ligue 1

Evian Thono                  2  -  0    Nantes
Sochaux                         2  -  0    Bordeaux
Rennes                           0  -  2    Guingamp
Nice                               0  -  2    Toulouse
Reims                             3  -  1    Valenciennes
Lorient                           1  -  1    Bastia
St. Etienne                     2  -  0    Monaco
Ajaccio                          2  -  3    Lille
Lyon                              0  -  0    Montpellier
PSG                               2  -  0    Marseille

Portuguese Premeira Liga

Sporting  Lisbon            2  -  1    Sporting Braga
Estoril Praia                   4  -  0    Olhanense
Nacional                        1  -  1     Ave Rio
Gil Vicente                    1  -  0     Vitoria Setubal
Pacos de Ferreira           3  -  1     Maritimo
Belenense                      0  -  1     Benfica
Vitoria Guimaraes         2  -  2     Porto
Read also: africanfootie.blogspot.com