Barca back on top after ending Real's winning streak

Barcelona ended Real Madrid's 15-match winning run to snatch back top spot in Spain's La Liga with a 3-1 "El Clasico" victory in the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's team had been seeking to break the Real record set in 1960-61 and go six points clear, but surrendered the lead on goal difference despite scoring after 23 seconds. However, Barcelona have played one more match and Madrid will catch that up next weekend.

The 163rd Clasico clash had been billed as a showdown between superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but neither FIFA Ballon D'Or award candidate could add to their league-leading tally of 17 goals on a rainy night in Madrid.

Instead it was Karim Benzema who gave Real the perfect start when he pounced to volley home from close range after Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes gave the ball away, and Mesut Ozil's shot deflected into the France forward's path.

That boosted Mourinho's hopes of a first league win over the European champions, but Alexis Sanchez -- starting ahead of David Villa -- equalized on the half-hour with a fierce low shot after Messi burst through the middle.

Josep Guardiola's team took the lead eight minutes after halftime when a shot by midfielder Xavi, making his 600th senior appearance for Barca, took a cruel deflection off Real defender Marcelo and wrongfooted goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Mourinho responded by replacing Ozil with Kaka, and Real should have leveled in the 65th minute when an unmarked Ronaldo headed wide from Xabi Alonso's perfect cross.

The home side immediately paid for that, as Cesc Fabregas fired in a superb far-post header from Dani Alves' teasing right-wing cross.

Rivalries renewed: Clasico preview in pictures

It was the former Arsenal midfielder's 10th goal in 13 starts this season, and gave Barca an advantage that Real could not reduce despite Kaka going close.

Barca had won just 16 of the 81 previous Clasicos played in the Spanish capital, but have not lost there in the league since 2008.

Third-placed Valencia failed to make ground on the leaders after conceding two late goals in a 2-1 defeat by Real Betis.

Ruben Castro netted twice in time added on after teammate Jose Dorado put through his own net in the 66th minute.

The defeat left Valencia seven points off the pace, while Betis moved away from the relegation zone and up to 13th.

Fourth-placed Levante closed to within a point of local rivals Valencia with a 1-0 win at home to Sevilla.

Defender Nano Rivas put his side five points clear of fifth-placed Sevilla with a 57th-minute winner after Sergio Ballesteros' effort was blocked on the line.

CNN

Read more »

Rossi become a star in rally monza

Former MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi was the star in the Rally of Monza, Italy, after defeating eight-time world champion, Sebastien Loeb, in stage two of the nine stages held. Rossi eventually finished second and Loeb became the first champion.

Monza Rally 2011 is an annual event that was held with nine stages on paved roads. This year, the Monza rally dedicated to the memory of the late Marco Simoncelli who was killed during an accident in Malaysia MotoGP series.

Rossi drove the Ford Fiesta RS WRC which dhihiasi with private sponsors. Rossi appear attractive throughout the rally and beat two-time world rally champion from France was the longest stage.

Loeb became the first winner by a margin of 24.2 seconds from Rossi in second. Rossi gets credit for defeating the world rally driver Dani Sordo, who won one of the world rally championship series this year.

Kompas

Read more »

100th victory, federer create record in tournament..

Roger Federer fended off an audacious comeback by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the ATP World Tour Finals for a record sixth time in London Sunday.

A pumped up Federer wrapped up a 6-3 7-6 6-3 victory over Tsonga in his 100th career final to end 2011 on a conspicuous high note.

Consecutive titles in Basel, Paris, where he also beat Tsonga in the final, and at the season-ending championships have seen the Swiss maestro reclaim the No.3 spot in the world from Britain's Andy Murray.

But he had to withstand a mid-match onslaught from his French opponent, who broke Federer as he served for the match at a set and 5-4 to the good.

Tsonga also saved a match point in the second set tiebreaker before leveling at one set all.

But as in the first set, Federer broke Tsonga again in the eighth game of the decider and made no mistake when he served for the championship for the second time.
"I couldn't be more happy my season ends this way. I'm exhausted, Jo sapped every last energy out of me today," Federer said.

His triumph lifted the Swiss maestro out of a tie with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras for titles at the ATP's end-of-season finale. It was his 70th career crown.

It will also compensate for failing to add to his 16 grand slam crowns this season as Novak Djokovic, who failed to make it out of the round robin group stages in London, dominated with three.

Rafael Nadal, who beat Federer in the final to win the French Open title, was also eliminated at that stage as he lost to Tsonga in a deciding match.

Earlier, third seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor beat the Polish pair Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 7-5 6-3 to win the ATP World Tour Finals doubles title.
Source

Read more »

Art of the Olympic Games: London's grand designs

Next year's Olympic Games in London will see world-class competitors display their skills across 39 disciplines, with the British capital also taking the opportunity to showcase itself as a vibrant, modern, cultural center.

This month's unveiling of the 12 Olympic and Paralympic posters marks another step in the build up to the two highly-anticipated quadrennial events, with art firmly entrenched in London's plans.

Acclaimed British artist Tracey Emin was tasked with composing one of the posters; the 48-year-old is championing the involvement of art in the hosting of the Games.

"Culture runs alongside the Olympics," Emin told CNN. "London, and Britain, has a lot more to offer than just sport."

Emin hoped her Paralympic poster, which bears the words "You inspire me with your determination and I love you" and pictures two birds, would be a complete contrast to the marketing material for previous Games.

"I want people to smile and feel kind of warm and feel that they're part of something and not excluded," she explained. "The previous posters were a little bit on the macho fascist side. I wanted to do something which was the complete antithesis."

Art historian and exhibitions curator at London's Victoria and Albert Gallery, Ghislaine Wood concurs with Emin's views, explaining how Olympic posters provide an insight into the political mood of years gone by.

"Olympic posters provide a fantastic snapshot," said Wood. "They really do provide a real insight into how posters communicate ideas at different points.

Wood highlights the Munich Games of 1972 as an example of how Germany attempted to use the posters to change the way it was perceived globally following World War Two.

"There was a very conscious effort to change the look and feel of that Olympics. Fascist connotations of Berlin 1936 have been utterly changed to brand it as a modern, democratic event."

According to Wood, London's push to display itself as a forward-thinking city is not confined to its poster. The logo, the brainchild of designers Wolff Olins, and the spectacular Aquatics Centre also show how the city is attempting to stamp its identity on the Games.

"The Wolff Olins logo was a very powerful element in the whole branding of the London Olympics. If you look at (architect) Zaha Hadid's Aquatics Centre, a fantastic piece of modern, contemporary design, and the tower."

The tower Wood refers to is a 115-meter high steel sculpture designed by Britain's Anish Kapoor known as the Orbit, which has been erected at the Olympic Park.

Kathryn Findlay works for Ushida Findlay Architects, a firm that was involved in the construction of the Orbit. She says the red twisting structure will provide a visual thrill for viewers both near and far.

"From afar, people in different parts of London will get glimpses of it," said Findlay. "As you go there on the train you'll see this object appearing. As you go closer to it, the scale of the sculpture, and the color, are quite surprising.

"There are these mirrors on either side, which invert people and they'll see themselves reflected in the sculpture.

"It is eclectic, unexpected, it's inventive. Whether you like it or you hate it, you will always see it, like Big Ben or the London Eye, as one of these eccentric British creations."

Source : CNN

Read more »

Hamilton: Button success not impacting my form

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has scotched claims by his own team principal that teammate Jenson Button's success this Formula One season has impacted on his own performances. The British driver, world champion in 2008, is languishing fifth in the drivers' championship -- 172 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel, who has already secured the title, and 38 behind Button, who is second. Hamilton has two victories to Button's three this season and has been involved in a string of collisions, mostly with Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa. But he rejected claims by McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh that Button's form in 2011 has been a factor in his disappointing campaign. "I would not say so," he told Formula One's official web site. "Jenson is good at the moment and that is only good for the team. I always said that if Jenson proves to be better than me I would need to do a better job and improve. "He has put himself in a better position than me this year and on top of that he has managed to stay out of trouble. He has got a good group of people around him and they are there all the time. He has done a great job but this doesn't affect me at all. "

Hamilton recently split with his girlfriend, singer Nicole Scherzinger, and is no longer managed by his father Anthony. The 26-year-old says that the settled team Button has assembled around him has helped his teammate's performances, while his own lack of a positive "bubble" has affected his form. "Jenson's got his Dad, who's there at every single race, he's got his manager, he's got his friends and his girlfriend there all the time," he said. "He's got a great bubble around him and with that he's able to go out there and perform without any worries on his mind. I lost that bubble. It is a priority for me to create that atmosphere around myself because it's a happy bubble." Hamilton admits he already has one eye on next year and is determined to get back into contention for the drivers' championship in 2012. "Of course I am thinking about how to change things for the better next year. And I do feel confident about that. I know the right direction to take for next year and I know how to make things better." Source: CNN

Read more »

Germany thrashes England to reach World Cup quarterfinals

A rampant Germany thrashed arch rivals England 4-1 in Bloemfontein to reach the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.

Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski took advantage of sloppy defending to give Germany a 2-0 lead before Matthew Upson headed in for England.

Frank Lampard was denied an equalizing goal for England when the officials failed to spot that the ball had clearly crossed the line.

But despite England coach Fabio Capello's claim that the controversy was the turning point, a far superior Germany ran away with the match in the second half, with Thomas Mueller scoring twice on the break to inflict England's biggest ever World Cup defeat.

"I think we played well but then I was disappointed by the mistakes and they counter-attacked well," Capello told BBC Sport.

"Germany is a big team and they played well - we made mistakes, but the referee made a bigger one. This is football."

It was the first World Cup meeting between two of football's oldest foes since 1990, when West Germany beat England on penalties after a 1-1 draw. England's only previous victory had come in the 1966 final -- a 4-2 triumph at London's Wembley.
Video: Blatter favors 'accurate' technology

Germany carved the game's first opening inside five minutes when a pass over England's defense found Mesut Ozil, whose shot was saved by the legs of David James.

The same direct approach brought the opening goal after 20 minutes when a long punt downfield from Manuel Neuer sent Klose racing clear.

The striker showed strength to hold off Upson and flick the ball past James with an outstretched right foot to post his 50th international goal and his 12th at World Cup finals.

England's defenders were caught out of position again for Germany's second goal as Muller shifted the ball to Podolski, who slashed a left-footed shot into the far corner.

Five minutes later, England got back in the game when Gerrard's cross was headed home by Upson.

Then came the controversial moment when Lampard's strike from the edge of the penalty area struck the underside of the bar and bounced down about two feet over the goal-line, only for Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistants to fail to award a goal.

Germany may feel the decision atones for 1966, when England were famously awarded a third goal even though Geoff Hurst's shot appeared to bounce down on the line.

England looked the stronger side in early stages of the second half and Lampard rattled the bar with a free-kick.

But then the German onslaught began as England's hopes were buried by two fine counter-attacking goals in three minutes.

First Bastian Schweinsteiger teed up Mueller to smash the third past James at his near post, and then Mesut Ozil crossed for the Bayern Munich winger to compound England's misery.

Germany, who have now reached at least the quarterfinals at every World Cup since 1954, will face either Argentina in the last eight on Saturday, July 3.source:CNN

Read more »

Suarez double puts Uruguay into last eight as South Korea crash out

Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay qualified for the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years with a 2-1 victory over South Korea in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Striker Luis Suarez scored both goals as the South Americans set up a clash with Ghana, who beat the United States 2-1 in extra-time in Saturday's late game.

Uruguay won the first World Cup at home in 1930 and then again in Brazil in 1950.

Coach Oscar Tabarez's team were the last to qualify for this year's tournament after winning a playoff against Costa Rica, but are now the first nation to move past the second-round stage.

"We are a country of only three million people, we have been a long time looking forward to something like this and now it's happened -- we are one of the eight best teams in the world," Tabarez told AFP.

Ghana's extra-time win ends U.S. dream

"This Korea side played a great match. This confirms how balanced football has become around the world. "

South Korea coach Huh Jung-Moo was proud of his players, having qualifed for the last 16 as the second-placed team in Group B behind Argentina.

"My players never gave up, they were tenacious and rose to the challenge, they showed they were true Koreans," he said.

"We wanted to go into the quarterfinals, we had lots of chances. Uruguay were lucky enough to score -- we lost because we weren't able to match them."

Suarez benefited from poor defending to score the opening goal in the eighth minute, but his team conceded for the first time in the South African tournament after a similarly lax effort at the back allowed Lee Chung Yong to level on 68.

Uruguay qualify top of Group A

Having sat back after the opening goal, that spurred the Uruguayans onto attack again and the winning goal came with 10 minutes to play as Suarez curled a superb right-foot effort off the left-hand post and into the net.

South Korea, seeking to emulate 2002's semifinal achievement after an early exit in Germany four years ago, started strongest but gifted Suarez his second goal of the tournament.

South Africa's World Cup dream halted by Uruguay

The 23-year-old, who was in prolific scoring form for Dutch club Ajax last season, had the easiest of chances after the Korean defense allowed his strike partner Diego Forlan put send over a cross which bobbled past hapless goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong.

Uruguay then seemed happy to allow South Korea to push forward in search of an equalizer, which finally came with 22 minutes to play when Mauricio Victorino's defensive header looped backwards and Lee Chung Yong stole in ahead of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to head the ball into the unguarded net.

France and Uruguay goalless in Cape Town

With the rain lashing down in the Eastern Cape city, Uruguay suddenly stormed back into contention as both Suarez and Forlan missed chances.

Suarez made no mistake in the 80th minute after the Koreans failed to clear a corner, with his shot from the left side of the penalty area giving Jung no chance.

South Korea had a chance to level when Lee Dong Gook was set up by a fine through-pass from Park Chu-Young, but the striker's weak shot squirmed under the body of Muslera and the danger was cleared by captain Diego Lugano.Source:CNN

Read more »

Forlan goal gives Atletico slender lead

Liverpool's marathon journey to Madrid has ended in a narrow defeat as Diego Forlan's early goal gave Atletico a slender 1-0 Europa League semifinal first leg lead on Thursday.

The English Premier League side took a 1,200-mile trip by coach, train and plane to get to the Vincente Calderon stadium, but came away with nothing to show from a tight encounter.

Forlan, who spent an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool's bitter rivals Manchester United earlier in his career, netted the only goal in the ninth minute.

The Uruguayan striker missed his initial header from Jose Manuel Jurado's cross -- but he stil had enough time to prod the ball past goalkeeper Jose Reina from close-range, with Jamie Carragher failing in a desperate attempt to clear the ball off the line.

Liverpool should have levelled eight minutes later when Yossi Benayoun fired home, but he was wrongly flagged for offside.

Reina then rescued Liverpool early in the second half when producing a superb one-handed save to keep out Forlan's angled drive from the left.

However, Liverpool held on and they take a one-goal deficit back to Anfield in the knowledge that in 16 previous European semifinfinal matches, they have lost only four overall.

Liverpool could still face Premier League rivals Fulham in an all-English final after the London side drew 0-0 at Hamburg in the other semifinal encounter.

Hamburg are desperate to reach the final, which is being played on their home ground, but they found Fulham's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in fine form.Source:CNN

Read more »

Milan agree $21M fee for Real's Huntelaar

AC Milan are poised to complete the signing of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid after both clubs agreed an undisclosed fee on Thursday.
The Netherlands international is due to have a medical with the Italian club on Friday, Milan announced on its official Web site.

The 25-year-old has agreed a contract that will tie him to the Rossoneri until the summer of 2013, the club said.

Spanish giants Real, seeking to balance the books after a summer of massive spending, also confirmed the agreement on their official Web site.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport had earlier reported that the transfer fee would be $21.5 million, with Huntelaar to earn $4.3 million per year.

Milan lost their star forward Kaka to Madrid earlier this summer, and hope to add Huntelaar to an attacking pool of Brazilians Ronaldinho and Pato plus veteran Italian Filippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello.
Huntelaar, who turns 26 on August 12, had seemed set to move to German club Stuttgart earlier this summer but the deal fell through.

He had also been linked with English club Tottenham after failing to make a big impact following his $29 million move from Dutch side Ajax in January 2009.

Huntelaar had been the Eredivisie's top scorer in the 2007-08 season, but netted only eight goals in 19 appearances for Real after being brought in when fellow Dutch forward Ruud van Nistelrooy was ruled out with a long-term injury.

Source:CNN

Tags: Milan, real Madrid

Read more »

Alonso set to complete Real Madrid transfer

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to sign for Primera Liga giants Real Madrid on Wednesday after the two clubs agreed a fee believed to be in the region of $50 million for the Spanish international.
The end of a summer-long saga over the 27-year-old's future ended on Tuesday when Liverpool issued a short statement effectively bringing to a close his spell on Merseyside.

The statement read: "Liverpool Football Club this evening confirm they have reached agreement for the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, subject only to a medical. The terms of the deal will remain confidential and undisclosed."

Although Liverpool will not reveal the details of the deal, privately sources are maintaining that manager Rafael Benitez had finally got his way over the transfer fee. Latest transfer gossip and rumors

It is believed that Madrid made another attempt to end the deadlock on Tuesday with an offer of $50m that will rise to $57.5m depending on Alonso's success over the first two years of what is believed to be a five-year contract.

Real Madrid issued a statement of their own, confirming he will have a medical on Wednesday.

Assuming all goes well, Alonso will join his former Liverpool team-mates Alvaro Arbeloa -- who moved last week for $6 million -- and goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek at the Bernabeu.
With the Alonso deal, Real president Florentino Perez will have spent around $375 in two months on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Raul Albiol, Esteban Granero, Arbeloa, Alvaro Negredo and Karim Benzema.

Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in August 2004 for $17.5 million and scored 19 goals in 210 games, including a goal in Liverpool's memorable Champions League final victory over AC Milan in 2005.

Liverpool will now be looking for an immediate replacement, with Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani and Juventus star Christian Poulsen both high on their list of targets.

Meanwhile, as Alonso prepares to arrive, Madrid are continuing to prune their inflated squad, as they look to get it down to the 25-player Spanish Primera Liga limit.

Last week, Madrid sold Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze to Marseille and on Tuesday another full-back, veteran Michel Salgado, left the club after 10 years at the Bernabeu.

The 33-year-old right-back, who joined Madrid from Celta Vigo in 1999, has been released by mutual consent despite having one year remaining on his current deal.

"Real Madrid would like to thank Michel for his commitment and behavior during 10 consecutive years of exemplary service with the club," said a statement on Madrid's official Web site.

Salgado enjoyed a great deal of success during his decade with Real, winning four Primera Liga and two Champions League titles among other trophies.

Source:CNN

Tags: Alonso, Real Madrid

Read more »

Tight at the top in BMW M Award

Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are the current frontrunners in the 2009 BMW M Award for best qualifier in MotoGP.
Jorge Lorenzo announced himself as a threat in MotoGP with pole position at his first premier class Grand Prix in Qatar last year and the brilliant young Spaniard has continued his excellent QP record in 2009 with four poles to date. Indeed, the Fiat Yamaha youngster is yet to start a race off the front row this season.

Having made a smooth transition to qualifying on Bridgestone tyres, his excellent results thus far in ’09 have put Lorenzo at the head of the BMW M Award standings for best qualifier in the premier class – though as ever his illustrious team-mate Valentino Rossi is hot on his heels!

Rossi leads the general MotoGP World Championship classification by 25 points from Lorenzo after ten rounds and the Italian trails the Spaniard by just five points in the BMW M Award table, having also achieved four pole positions – two of those in the last two rounds at Sachsenring and Donington.

A further 28 points behind Rossi sits 2008 BMW M Award winner Casey Stoner who has achieved just one pole position so far in 2009 (in Qatar) but has only missed the front row on two occasions. With seven rounds to go the Ducati star certainly still has a chance of repeating his ’08 triumph and adding to his car collection.

Dani Pedrosa also has one pole position to his name this season, but starting the championship injured hindered his chances of winning himself a new BMW M as he qualified down in 14th and 11th at the opening two rounds in Qatar and Japan. The Repsol Honda star has been on the front row four times in 2009 but trails Lorenzo in the qualifying standings by 75 points.

Reflecting the World Championship standings the BMW M Award classification also sees satellite Yamaha rider Colin Edwards and factory Honda representative Andrea Dovizioso sitting fifth and sixth respectively, though neither rider has featured on the front row at a Grand Prix thus far this year.

Source:CNN

Tags: jorge lorenzo, valentino rossi, BMW

Read more »

Schumacher to make sensational F1 comeback

Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher will make a dramatic return to Formula One as a replacement for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.
The 40-year-old German, who retired from the sport in 2006, won five of his seven titles while competing for Ferrari, and has retained his links with the Italian manufacturer as a team advisor.

Schumacher told CNN: "The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive. I wish him all the best again.

"I met Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo from Ferrari on Wednesday afternoon and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take Felipe's place.

"Though it is true that my Formula One chapter has closed, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore their current unfortunate situation. As the competitor I am I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

Schumacher's spokesperson Sabine Kehm confirmed to CNN: "He is coming back pending medical exams and will be in the Ferrrari cockpit for the next race in Valencia on August 23 if those tests go well."

Ferrari later confirmed Schumacher's return in a statement: "Ferrari intends to entrust Michael Schumacher with Felipe Massa's car for as long as the Brazilian driver is not able to race.

"Michael Schumacher has shown his willingness and in the next few days he will undergo a specific program of preparation at the end of which it will be possible to confirm his participation in the championship starting with the European Grand Prix."

Rumors began to surface about Schumacher's likely return on Tuesday, with Kehm telling CNN at the time: "There is no offer from Ferrari, but if they decided they need him, Michael would certainly weigh his options."

Meanwhile, Massa has been moved out of intensive care at the AEK military hospital in Budapest, with his personal doctor convinced he will race again.

Massa's rapid improvement since undergoing surgery on Saturday to repair a fractured skull following his crash during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, has prompted doctors to move the Brazilian to his own private room.

It means Massa is now off the critical list, although the 28-year-old will continue to be closely monitored by medical staff. Initial fears that the Brazilian may never drive again, due to concerns surrounding the sight in his left eye, also appear to have eased.

Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni told Press Association Sport: "The most important situation is that Felipe is out of intensive care and now in his own private room.
"He is speaking more or less normally and he has managed his first few steps so, from a clinical point of view, everything is going in the right direction.

"There are no issues for the time being, and although we are still cautious, he is getting better and better. The situation is improving all the time.
"There was some suggestion he would leave the hospital soon but he will remain in Budapest for as long as is necessary."

Meanwhile, Massa's own doctor, Dino Altmann, has told Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he believes the Brazilian's Formula One career is far from over.

Altmann said: "I have no doubt Felipe will race again. I'm sure of that. The situation is still delicate but I believe his life is not in danger anymore. From the beginning I felt the trauma wasn't as extended as it was believed but the improvements he has made have gone beyond our wildest expectations."

Altmann also believes fears surrounding Massa's left eye, seemingly damaged after he was struck on the helmet by a suspension spring that had worked free from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car, have eased.

"Stimulated by the physiotherapist, he showed he knows left from right and has full awareness of distance and depth," added Altmann. "His eye has been opened, with care because it is still swollen, and he has said he can see. His vision has not weakened.

"He also gave appropriate answers in three languages: Portuguese, Italian, and English. That means the brain's cognitive area is fine."

Ferrari team principal Domenicali told reporters that he has been amazed by the rate of recovery, prompting him to return to Italy.

"It's a fantastic improvement. Only days after the crash he's made encouraging progress," remarked Domenicali. "He recognised me, I greeted him and I brought him all the team's and the fans' warmth and support. He replied to me in Italian, after he had spoken to his family in Portuguese. He told me he can't remember anything that had happened: that's a good thing.

"The data is encouraging but in these situations it's better to be prudent and take one step at a time. We want him to recover as soon as possible."
Domenicali has confirmed there are no issues surrounding Massa's return, with the seat being kept warm until he is fit again, although refused to comment on reports linking former world champion Michael Schumacher with a temporary return.

"I confirmed to him we are looking forward to his return soon, that the car is his, and that as soon as he's ready he'll be back with us once again," added Domenicali.

Source:CNN

Tags: world champion, michael schumacher, ferrari, felipe massa

Read more »

F1 driver Massa wakes for family

Felipe Massa has been woken successfully three times to make contact with his family, one of the surgeons who operated on the Brazilian Formula One star told CNN on Monday, after a horror crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix left the driver needing surgery on a fractured skull.
Peter Bazso, the medical director of the AEK hospital in Budapest, confirmed that Massa's injuries had been "life-threatening" after he careered off the Hungaroring at 200kph in his Ferrari, but that his condition was now "slightly improving."

Bazso told CNN said he had watched the accident on television and his team, who specialize in brain injuries, was immediately put on standby to operate as Massa was airlifted to his hospital. Does safety need to be improved in Formula One?

Massa was hit on the helmet by a spring which had fallen off the rear of the Brawn GP car of compatriot Rubens Barichello.

The impact left Massa concussed and he lost control of his Ferrari on the high speed Turn Four before ploughing into a tire barrier.
Bazko and his team performed a two-hour emergency operation shortly after Massa arrived at the hospital, which also caters for the Hungarian military.

He remains in a medically-induced coma in intensive care but Bazso said there were good signs of a recovery.

"We tried to wake him up three times so he could make contact with his family and each time we were successful," he said.

Massa's parents and his pregnant wife Anna Rafaela flew to Hungary to be at his bedside after the accident.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told their official Web site that he would be visiting the hospital on Monday to check on his driver's condition and paid tribute to his teammate Kimi Raikkonen who finished second to Lewis Hamilton in Sunday's race.

"Compliments to Kimi for a great race and to the team, for working well and very concentrated despite these very difficult circumstances."

Meanwhile, Basso added that they hoped to fully bring him out of the coma later today when they would better be able to assess his condition.

"He is definitely not worse, but his injuries were life-threatening," he added.
Massa's crash came less than a week after Formula 2 driver Henry Surtees, the son of former world champion John Surtees, was killed in similar circumstances, knocked unconscious by a tire which flew off another car in a race at Brands Hatch, before crashing.

Formula One's safety record has improved dramatically in recent years, with the last fatality in 1994 when the legendary Brazilian Ayrton Senna crashed at Imola.

Source:CNN

Tags: Felipe Massa

Read more »

Aspar Team to move up to MotoGP with Ducati

Spanish team manager confirms project, revealed in motogp.com interview last week. Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ will finally move his World Championship project up to MotoGP in 2010, courtesy of a deal with Ducati confirmed on Saturday at Donington Park. After three years of negotiating with various factories, an agreement has been struck for an ambitious stay in the premier class.

“It seems that after three years we are finally able to achieve our dream of presenting a MotoGP project. It’s been three years of fighting and looking for the best option and, after sounding out various factories, we have finally reached an agreement with Ducati,” declared Aspar at the British track. “I hope that this will be a fruitful arrangement that will continue in the long term. In theory we will have one rider in 2010, with the idea being to expand to two in 2011.”

The Aspar Team will be present in all three categories of the World Championship, with the MotoGP team joining 125cc and Moto2 squads.

“Our goal is primarily to grow strong in MotoGP from a technical viewpoint. We will continue with the 125cc team and compete in the Moto2 class, so we feel that this is a big step for the whole team. Today the big news is that we are moving up to MotoGP with Ducati, so the second thing that we have to do is confirm a rider. We hope to be able to do this by the time we get to Brno,” added the former three-time lower cylinder category World Champion, who was clear on his preferred choice for the available spot.

”It would be great to convince Álvaro Bautista to come up with us and he is our first option for the MotoGP team. He has been with us for a long time, winning a 125cc World Championship and finishing second in 250cc, so it would be great for him to continue with us,” he stated, referring to the rider currently involved in the 250cc title fight.

Source:CNN

Tags: MotoGP

Read more »

Obama throws ceremonial first pitch at All-Star game

President Obama is not shy about showing off his jump shot on the basketball court, but on Tuesday night, it was his baseball skills that were put to the test.
Obama, clad in a Chicago White Sox jacket and blue jeans, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis, Missouri.

His low pitch barely reached home plate and the mitt of St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols.

Obama became the fifth president to throw out the first pitch at an All-Star Game, but the first in 33 years. He is following in the footsteps of Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.

Asked about plans to practice before the game, Obama said Tuesday, "I want to loosen up my arm a little bit."

"The last time I threw a pitch was at the American League championship series, and I just wanted to keep it high," the president said of his opening pitch at the 2005 Chicago White Sox-Anaheim Angels game.

Aiming high is a good strategy, says St. Louis Cardinals scout Matt Blood, but it takes more than on-point aim to make the perfect pitch.

"Throw it with some force, don't lob it in there. Try to get a good downhill plane. Try to keep it in the strike zone," said Blood, who will be at the game Tuesday.

HLN sports anchor Larry Smith, who has thrown out a few first pitches, says Obama has to be careful to "not try to overpower it."

"There's no speed gun on this. Just make it a nice solid throw to the catcher," Smith said. "The one thing he doesn't want to do is bounce it home. Mr. Obama is pretty athletic, so I think he'll ace this."

Overpowering it shouldn't be an issue for the president, who joked Tuesday that he'd be surprised if his 2005 pitch exceeded 30 miles per hour.

The president also needs to make sure he uses his whole arm, Blood said.
"You'll see a lot of people throw kind of out front. Their elbow will start out front and they'll never get their arm back behind their body, and won't get a full arm swing. It will be real short, and not very rhythmic," he said.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Bouton said Obama's at the top of his game, and he can "afford to take a few chances."

"He should toss it a little further to the left. The righties are down by 15 runs in the ninth, they've got no team leadership. They're fighting with each other in the opposing dugout," he joked.

All kidding aside, Obama should "just go with his instincts, like any good athlete," Bouton said. "You don't want to throw the ball into the ground or behind you, that's for sure."

Obama also doesn't want to do what Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory did in his opening pitch for the Reds 2007 season. He missed home plate by 30 feet. Video of the Democratic mayor's embarrassing throw has been viewed nearly 2 million times on YouTube.

But the opening pitch isn't always a light-hearted moment. President Bush described his opening pitch at Yankees stadium during the 2001 World Series as "the most nervous moment" of his presidency so far. The game came less than two months after the September 11 terrorists attacks.

Bush wore an FDNY jacket to pay tribute to the New York City Fire Department. He stepped onto the pitchers mound, and before a cheering crowd of nearly 60,000, he threw a strike. The crowded erupted in chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A."

Before the game Tuesday night, Obama and all of the living former presidents will appear in a community service video. After the video is shown, Obama will take the field at Busch Stadium and greet the six St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame players. He then will throw his pitch to Cardinals' all-star first baseman Albert Pujols.

Major League Baseball said the president will wear a specially made glove for his appearance, with a script Obama 44 and an American flag on it. The glove will then be sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

If Obama has butterflies about his pitch, Blood says the president should use the nervous energy to his advantage.

"For Obama, I'm sure he's dealt with much more pressure than throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game, but I would -- instead of seeing it as pressure -- I would think of it as an exciting opportunity and turn the nervousness into positive adrenaline," he said.

Source:CNN

Tags: Obama, all stars, Game

Read more »

Rossi aims to keep up the momentum in Germany

World Championship leader Valentino Rossi admits Sachsenring is not his favourite track but insists his M1 runs well there and will aim to continue his strong current form at round nine.
Fiat Yamaha star Valentino Rossi will be looking to extend his nine point title advantage at the ninth Grand Prix event of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship season this weekend, with the podium being a minimum target.

Rossi knows that his injured but ever-improving young title rivals Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa will also each be fighting for glory at Sachsenring, where the Italian idol has won on three previous occasions in the top class.

Even if he confesses that the venue is not his favourite on the calendar, Rossi enjoyed a key moment of success en route to the 2008 championship on his last visit – as he picked up a crucial second place in a wet race as Pedrosa crashed out of the lead and effectively the title fight.

Going into the third of four races in an intense five week period - a visit to Donington follows immediately after the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland - Rossi stated, “Thank goodness we’ve had some time to rest after the last two races because I was really quite tired after Laguna. The next two races are back to back and again it will be very hard, and it’s also a very important stage of the championship, the halfway point.”

“Sachsenring isn’t one of my favourite tracks but I’ve had some great races there and generally it suits Yamaha well, which is good. We need another good result to keep our lead because our rivals are so strong and we can’t afford to make any mistakes. Last year there was a lot of rain in Germany but in fact we were able to take a great second place. I hope this year we can go one better.”

Rossi’s team manager Davide Brivio, meanwhile, commented, “As always our first target is the podium and we’ve achieved this at all but one race this season so we will look to continue that trend. Last year it was very wet in Germany but we were able to take an important second place, which gave Valentino key points for his championship battle. This time we arrive in the lead but we have to maintain focus because these are two very important races before the summer break and it’s important to everyone that we go into the ‘holiday’ at the top.”

Source:MotoGP

Tags: Valentino rossi, jorge lorenzo, pedrosa

Read more »

F1 future 'in jeopardy' after FOTA walkout

FOTA has blamed world motorsport's governing body the FIA after the teams' representatives walked out of a meeting, claiming the future of Formula One was once again "in jeopardy."

The Formula One Teams Association, which represents eight racing outfits, issued a statement explaining its new grievance with the FIA.

It said its team managers attended the Sporting Working Group at the Nurburgring in Germany on Wednesday, having resolved its differences with the FIA over the future of the world's premier motorsport at crunch talks in Paris last month.

However, the FOTA representatives were infuriated when the FIA's Charlie Whiting told them their teams were not officially entered into next year's world championship and had no voting rights at the meeting, where technical and sporting regulations were to be determined.

FOTA said in a statement on its Web site: "It will be remembered that all eight active FOTA members were included on the 'accepted' entry list as endorsed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) and communicated by FIA press statement on June 24.

"In light of these claims, the FOTA representatives requested a postponement of today's meetings. This was rejected on the grounds that no new Concorde Agreement would be permitted before a unanimous approval of the 2010 regulations was achieved.
"However, it is clear to the FOTA teams that the basis of the 2010 technical and sporting regulations was already established in Paris. As endorsed by the WMSC and clearly stated in the FIA press statement of 24 June 'the rules for 2010 onwards will be the 2009 regulations as well as further regulations agreed prior to 29 April 2009.'

"At no point in the Paris discussions was any requirement for unanimous agreement on regulations change expressed. To subsequently go against the will of the WMSC and the detail of the Paris agreement puts the future of Formula 1 in jeopardy."

The FIA released its own statement after Wednesday's meeting, but made no mention of the FOTA teams -- Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP -- being unable to vote on changes.

"Following the decision of the World Council on June 24 to revert to the pre-April 29 version of the 2010 F1 Sporting and Technical Regulations, the FIA today met the teams which have entered the 2010 Championship to seek their agreement to these changes," it said.

"All changes have now been agreed subject only to the maintenance of the minimum weight at 620kg and the signing of a legally binding agreement between all the teams competing in 2010 to reduce costs to the level of the early 1990s within two years, as promised by the FOTA representative in Paris on June 24.

"The eight FOTA teams were invited to attend the meeting to discuss their further proposals for 2010. Unfortunately no discussion was possible because FOTA walked out of the meeting."

The latest conflict between the two sides is perhaps not surprising given the antagonism that continued even after the Paris accord, which was supposed to resolve disagreements over budget limits.

Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who heads FOTA, immediately claimed victory over embattled FIA boss Max Mosley -- who responded by threatening to seek a fifth four-year term despite having agreed to stand aside as part of the deal.
The row has erupted again ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix, with Brawn's Jenson Button seeking to build on his 23-point lead over second-placed team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who won the last race in Britain two weeks ago, will be seeking victory on home soil to keep his title hopes alive.

Source:CNN

Tags: FOTA, World Motorsports, Formula 1, F1

Read more »

Pedrosa thankful after tasting victory again

After more than a year without visiting the top step of a MotoGP podium Dani Pedrosa acknowledged the support of those who helped him return to winning ways at Laguna Seca.
A stunning victory for Dani Pedrosa on Sunday at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix brought big smiles to the faces of his Repsol Honda team members, including his Crew Chief mechanic Mike Leitner and personal manager Alberto Puig, who have supported the talented Spaniard through a difficult period.

For the factory Honda team Pedrosa’s Californian success came as big relief following a year long win drought stretching back to June 2008 and Pedrosa’s home victory in Catalunya.

Indeed, the pressure had been mounting on Pedrosa for several months with a string of injuries and crashes – dating back to Sachsenring last year when he crashed out as he led the race – and the former 125cc and 250cc World Champion was quick to thank those around him as he stepped off the Laguna podium.

“It was a nice race and a nice weekend for us,” Pedrosa told motogp.com. “It has been tough but we did a good job and to finally get a win here is a good feeling. After a whole year with so many troubles and injuries this is perfect. Not only for me but for my team, because they also really needed it and we are very happy. I especially want to thank them for continuing to push forward in the bad times.”

Also acknowledging the medical treatment he has received in the past twelve months on catalogue of hand, arm and leg injuries Pedrosa stated, “I also want to thank the doctors who have treated me as they have enabled me to return to racing at this level. I want to thank everybody around me.”

When it was put to him that he may have a chance to exorcise some demons in Germany at the very next round in two weeks time, Pedrosa commented, “Sachsenring last year was very good until it became a disaster, so I hope this year it will be the opposite!”
Source:MotoGp

Tags: Pedrosa

Read more »

Federer claims record 15th grand slam title

Roger Federer claimed his record 15th grand slam crown and sixth Wimbledon title as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 in an epic final on Sunday.

Federer had been tied for grand slam wins with Pete Sampras, who watched the spellbinding clash on Centre Court.

The second seed was pushed to the very limits by his big-serving opponent, with the climax coming in a marathon 30-game fifth set.

Leading 15-14, Federer forced his first match point against a tiring opponent who mishit a forehand to see his own hopes of victory cruelly ended.

It was the first time that sixth seed Roddick had dropped his service in a match lasting four hours and 18 minutes.

The triumph will see Federer reclaim the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal, who beat him in last year's final but missed this year's championships through injury.

Federer profile: One of the greatest.

Federer, who won his first French Open crown last month, told BBC Sport that he was aiming to win yet more grand slams.

"It's been quite a career and quite a month for me. I don't play tennis to break records and it doesn't mean I'm going to stop playing. I hope to come here and play some good tennis in the future," he said.

Roddick led by a set and had four set points in the second set tiebreaker before the Swiss maestro clawed his way back into the match in the space of a few moments.

Federer saved three set points with gutsy play, but on the fourth Roddick had only to put away a comfortable backhand volley, only to put it well wide.
It proved a crucial mistake as Federer quickly won the next two points to seal the breaker 8-6 and level at a set all.

With both men dominant on their own service, the third set also went to a tiebreak and this time it was Federer who made the running, claiming three set points.

Roddick saved two on his own service, but Federer duly closed out the set on the third.

But the American, who had broken Federer in the 12th game to claim the opening set, repeated the feat in the fourth game of the fourth as he forced him to net a volley.

Secure on his own service, Roddick had no trouble in holding to claim the set 6-3 and make sure the final went the full distance.

Both men were again dominant on their serve in the fifth set and it became a question of who would blink first.

Federer had a break point in the fourth game, while Roddick, who had put out home hope Andy Murray in the semifinals, set up two break points at 8-8.

But Federer decisively saved them both as the marathon headed towards its thrilling climax.

Sampras, who had flown in from California especially for the final, believes Federer is the greatest player in history.

"I think you have to give it to him," said the 14-time grand slam winner.

"The critics say (Rod) Laver, and (Rafael) Nadal's beaten him a few times in majors.

"But he's won all the majors, he's won 15 now, he's going to win a few more. In my book he is (the greatest)."

In the final action of the Wimbledon fortnight, Mark Knowles and Anna-Lena Groenefeld paired up to win the mixed doubles final as they beat top seeds Leander Paes and Cara Black, 7-5, 6-3.
E-mail to a friend

Source:CNN

Tags: Federer

Read more »

Roddick dumps out Murray in epic semifinal

American sixth seed Andy Roddick ended Andy Murray's hopes of winning Wimbledon after beating the British number one in four thrilling sets on Centre Court on Friday.

Third seed Murray was hoping to become the first British man to win the tournament since Fred Perry in 1936, but he was eventually out-gunned by an inspired Roddick who went through 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6.

Roddick will now face Roger Federer, who has beaten him in their two previous Wimbledon final meetings -- in 2004 and 2005.

"I had to play my very best tennis to win. I can't say enough good things about Andy, he played so well, but I can play well sometimes too," Roddick told BBC Sport.
"Not many people gave me a chance before the match, but I knew I could win. Throughout my career I have had many shortcomings but trying hard is not one of them.

"In fairness, he had all the pressure on him -- and that probably helped me a bit. I played very very well and it's a dream to reach another grand slam final after a couple of barren years."

Murray was punished for being too passive in the opening set and, although he bounced back in the second, Roddick's bullet serving and consistent all-round game earned him a third Wimbledon final appearance against Federer.

The pressure of the match showed on the British number one: in the third set Murray was warned for bad language.

Murray told a news conference: "You always expect your opponents to play well at this stage of the tournament. I had a few chances in the first tie-break and also had chances early in the third set and I didn't take any of them.

"I thought I played well, but he served really, really well. He was serving at a high pace and at such a high percentage, sometimes there's not a whole lot you can do.

Source:CNN

Tags: Ridduck, Murray, wimbledon, roger federer

Read more »