information about euro 2008
click here
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Italy ready for second triumph
How did they perform in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying?
• Replacing Marcello Lippi after Italy’s success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, coach Roberto Donadoni made a shaky start in qualifying but his team eventually did enough qualify as Group B winners.
• A 1-1 home draw with Lithuania in their opening tie in Naples was a shock, but perhaps not as big a setback as the 3-1 defeat in France in their second qualifier, when Raymond Domenech's side avenged their defeat on penalties in the World Cup final.
• That would prove the only reverse the Azzurri suffered and Luca Toni's two goals in a 2-0 win at home against Scotland in March 2007 provided an important reminder of the world champions' credentials.
• Italy won nine of their last ten qualifiers but were denied revenge against France with a goalless draw in Milan.
• They eventually secured qualification both for themselves and France by beating Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow thanks to another goal from Toni and an added-time winner from defender Christian Panucci.
• A 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands in their final fixture earned them top spot in the section at France's expense
more about ITALY
• Replacing Marcello Lippi after Italy’s success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, coach Roberto Donadoni made a shaky start in qualifying but his team eventually did enough qualify as Group B winners.
• A 1-1 home draw with Lithuania in their opening tie in Naples was a shock, but perhaps not as big a setback as the 3-1 defeat in France in their second qualifier, when Raymond Domenech's side avenged their defeat on penalties in the World Cup final.
• That would prove the only reverse the Azzurri suffered and Luca Toni's two goals in a 2-0 win at home against Scotland in March 2007 provided an important reminder of the world champions' credentials.
• Italy won nine of their last ten qualifiers but were denied revenge against France with a goalless draw in Milan.
• They eventually secured qualification both for themselves and France by beating Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow thanks to another goal from Toni and an added-time winner from defender Christian Panucci.
• A 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands in their final fixture earned them top spot in the section at France's expense
more about ITALY
he's the lagend!!!!
Michael Doohan
Michael "Mick" Sydney Doohan AM born June 4, 1965 (1965-06-04) (age 42) in Brisbane, Australia, is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion, who won five consecutive 500 cc World Championships, second only to Giacomo Agostini (though Doohan's feat was basically equaled by Valentino Rossi, who won the final 500 cc GP championship, and the following 4 MotoGP championships, as MotoGP replaced 500 cc GP as the top championship on the world scene). He is considered to be one of the best motorcycle racers in the history of the sport.
Biography
Originally from the Gold Coast, near Brisbane, Doohan raced in Australian Superbikes in the late 80s, and also won both races as Superbike World Championship visited Oran Park in 1988. He is one of the few 500 cc or MotoGP World Champions to have won a Superbike World Championship race.
He made his Grand Prix debut for Honda on a 500cc two-stroke motorcycle in 1989. In 1991, he was paired with Wayne Gardner on a Honda RVF750 superbike and won the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. Doohan competed successfully throughout the early 1990s and appeared to be on his way to winning his first world championship when he was seriously injured in a practice crash before the 1992 Dutch TT. He suffered permanent serious damage to his right leg due to medical complications and, at one stage, risked amputation of the leg. At the time, Doohan was 65 points in the lead of the championship, but could not compete for eight weeks after the crash. After an arduous recovery, Doohan returned to racing for the final two races but could not prevent Yamaha rider Wayne Rainey from winning his third consecutive title.
more
uncle bob
Lyrics:
One love, one heart
Let's get together and feel all right
Hear the children crying (One love)
Hear the children crying (One heart)
Sayin', "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right."
Sayin', "Let's get together and feel all right."
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One love)
There is one question I'd really love to ask (One heart)
Is there a place for the hopless sinner
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?
Believe me
One love, one heart
Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One love)
So shall it be in the end (One heart)
Alright, "Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right."
"Let's get together and feel all right."
One more thing
Let's get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One love)
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One song)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation
Sayin', "One love, one heart
Let's get together and feel all right."
I'm pleading to mankind (One love)
Oh, Lord (One heart) Whoa.
"Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right."
Let's get together and feel all right.
(Repeat)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Malaysia’s Defining Moment and the New Economic Agenda - Singapore CLSA Keynote Speech
Keynote address by Anwar Ibrahim on 20th May 2008 at the CLSA Corporate Access Forum in Singapore, a high-profile gathering of corporate decision makers of the region’s most interesting companies and investment bodies.
On the eighth of March, with fortitude and conviction the people of Malaysia sent a clear message to the powers that be they would not continue to tolerate a corrupt and incompetent government. With resoluteness hitherto unseen they voted the Barisan Nasional out of office in four states and terminated their stranglehold two-third majority in Parliament. In the final toll, the Pakatan Rakyat, that is, the People’s Alliance, now controls five states accounting for about 60% of the nation’s GDP. Additionally, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is almost entirely represented by Pakatan representatives in Parliament. After being in power for five decades, the Barisan Nasional meanwhile is still in comatose under this knock out defeat while its dominant and dominating anchor party UMNO is in utter turmoil.
Ladies and Gentleman.
On the eighth of March, with fortitude and conviction the people of Malaysia sent a clear message to the powers that be they would not continue to tolerate a corrupt and incompetent government. With resoluteness hitherto unseen they voted the Barisan Nasional out of office in four states and terminated their stranglehold two-third majority in Parliament. In the final toll, the Pakatan Rakyat, that is, the People’s Alliance, now controls five states accounting for about 60% of the nation’s GDP. Additionally, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is almost entirely represented by Pakatan representatives in Parliament. After being in power for five decades, the Barisan Nasional meanwhile is still in comatose under this knock out defeat while its dominant and dominating anchor party UMNO is in utter turmoil.
In this defining moment of Malaysia’s history, the courage and singularity of purpose of the people has
been extraordinary. Having suffered the slings and arrows of an outrageous regime that had become very cozy with the culture of corruption, wastage and misuse of power, the people marched headlong into the battlefield and took the bull by the horns.
To my mind, the eighth of March, 2008 is the metaphor for the birth of a new era where the mill stone of race and religion which had been our burden to bear for the last fifty years has finally been shattered. With one stroke of the mighty pen, notwithstanding the overwhelming forces of electoral fraud and collusion of the organs of state, the people transformed the political landscape of the nation.
This will be a new chapter indeed for Malaysia indeed as it was for Indonesia not too long ago when the waves of reformasi swept the country taking it out of dictatorship to democracy. In a way, it was also for Myanmar though tragically the iron hand of military oppression proved far stronger than the earnest cries for justice and liberty.
A New Economic Agenda has been crafted borne of a long-term strategic vision to develop Malaysia into a prosperous and dynamic society competitive not just in the region, but in the world. We are not talking about knee-jerk reactions or strategies calculated to gain political mileage. This Agenda is a comprehensive program that we earnestly believe is sustainable in the long run.According to a recent survey, young Malaysians are now open to more multi-racial socio-economic policies as opposed to race-based ones. The general consensus is that affirmative action should be given to the poor and the marginalized regardless of race or religion. Notions of social dominance and racial superiority find no resonance among the people except for those diehards still bigoted over ancient and archaic forms of political ideology. Continue reading ‘Malaysia’s Defining Moment and the New Economic Agenda - Singapore CLSA Keynote Speech’
To my mind, the eighth of March, 2008 is the metaphor for the birth of a new era where the mill stone of race and religion which had been our burden to bear for the last fifty years has finally been shattered. With one stroke of the mighty pen, notwithstanding the overwhelming forces of electoral fraud and collusion of the organs of state, the people transformed the political landscape of the nation.
This will be a new chapter indeed for Malaysia indeed as it was for Indonesia not too long ago when the waves of reformasi swept the country taking it out of dictatorship to democracy. In a way, it was also for Myanmar though tragically the iron hand of military oppression proved far stronger than the earnest cries for justice and liberty.
A New Economic Agenda has been crafted borne of a long-term strategic vision to develop Malaysia into a prosperous and dynamic society competitive not just in the region, but in the world. We are not talking about knee-jerk reactions or strategies calculated to gain political mileage. This Agenda is a comprehensive program that we earnestly believe is sustainable in the long run.According to a recent survey, young Malaysians are now open to more multi-racial socio-economic policies as opposed to race-based ones. The general consensus is that affirmative action should be given to the poor and the marginalized regardless of race or religion. Notions of social dominance and racial superiority find no resonance among the people except for those diehards still bigoted over ancient and archaic forms of political ideology. Continue reading ‘Malaysia’s Defining Moment and the New Economic Agenda - Singapore CLSA Keynote Speech’
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2008(hockey)
The men’s team of Argentina defeated India in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia. The Argentine team defeated India 2-1 in this seven nations event.
The final was a clash between two teams that didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games. After the normal 70 minutes of play, Argentina and India drew 1-1. It was captain Mario Almada who scored the golden goal and gave Argentina the 2-1 victory.
New Zealand grabbed the bronze medal after a 2-1 victory over Pakistan. Canada finished fifth, Belgium sixth and Malaysia seventh.
The final was a clash between two teams that didn’t qualify for the Olympic Games. After the normal 70 minutes of play, Argentina and India drew 1-1. It was captain Mario Almada who scored the golden goal and gave Argentina the 2-1 victory.
New Zealand grabbed the bronze medal after a 2-1 victory over Pakistan. Canada finished fifth, Belgium sixth and Malaysia seventh.
olympic hockey
Australian Nathan Eglington ruled out of Beijing Olympics
22 May 2008 06:54
Eglington significantly tore the abductor muscle in his left groin at training over a month ago and was ruled out of contention to compete at the Olympics after consultation with the Kookaburras medical staff this week.
The injury occurred during a standard structure drill with scans revealing he had completely torn one tendon and another was hanging by a thread.
Reluctant to have surgery immediately and ruin his chance of a possible comeback, Eglington and the Kookaburras medical staff sought opinions from various medical professionals including those involved with the West Coast Eagles Football Club, Fremantle Dockers Football Club and the Australian Institute of Sport.
It was initially hoped that if the injury had time to heal naturally it could be reassessed and he could come back in time for the Olympics.
However after a surgeon confirmed the injury wasn't making any progress, Eglington in consultation with coach Barry Dancer was forced to face the hard fact that he would be unavailable to play. Eglington will now be out of action for at least six months.
Eglington, who has played 136 international matches and scored 47 goals, was a significant contributor to the team's efforts at the 2004 Athens Olympics which saw the Kookaburras win the gold medal for the first time in 48 years.
"Obviously this is the most devastating injury that I have suffered throughout my career. I don't think it has really sunk in yet that I will be missing the Games but I am trying to put on a brave face for all the boys back at training, but I'm obviously shattered," said Eglington
"To have worked so hard for three and a bit years and then have this happen, it is quite devastating. Probably the most frustrating thing is that over the past twelve months I have been completely injury free and have been in fairly consistent form recently. I think I'm still in shock and to be honest I don't think it will really sink in until the Olympics arrive."
Eglington will make a decision on his career at the end of 2008 and will not travel to Beijing with the team.
"At this stage I won't make a decision on 2009 until the end of the year. What has happened is devastating but even though I won't be in the team I obviously wish the rest of the guys the best of luck as we try and win back to back gold medals. To do so will be fantastic, not only for the team but for hockey in Australia."
Coach Barry Dancer said Eglington would receive the full support of Kookaburras team.
"The full squad and support staff have great empathy for Nathan's situation. He has been a very exciting and valuable player for the Kookaburras and has contributed significantly to the success of the team over an extended period.
We are all hoping he has a full recovery and the opportunity to perform in international hockey at such a high level again." Said Dancer.
Source: Hockey Australia
22 May 2008 06:54
Eglington significantly tore the abductor muscle in his left groin at training over a month ago and was ruled out of contention to compete at the Olympics after consultation with the Kookaburras medical staff this week.
The injury occurred during a standard structure drill with scans revealing he had completely torn one tendon and another was hanging by a thread.
Reluctant to have surgery immediately and ruin his chance of a possible comeback, Eglington and the Kookaburras medical staff sought opinions from various medical professionals including those involved with the West Coast Eagles Football Club, Fremantle Dockers Football Club and the Australian Institute of Sport.
It was initially hoped that if the injury had time to heal naturally it could be reassessed and he could come back in time for the Olympics.
However after a surgeon confirmed the injury wasn't making any progress, Eglington in consultation with coach Barry Dancer was forced to face the hard fact that he would be unavailable to play. Eglington will now be out of action for at least six months.
Eglington, who has played 136 international matches and scored 47 goals, was a significant contributor to the team's efforts at the 2004 Athens Olympics which saw the Kookaburras win the gold medal for the first time in 48 years.
"Obviously this is the most devastating injury that I have suffered throughout my career. I don't think it has really sunk in yet that I will be missing the Games but I am trying to put on a brave face for all the boys back at training, but I'm obviously shattered," said Eglington
"To have worked so hard for three and a bit years and then have this happen, it is quite devastating. Probably the most frustrating thing is that over the past twelve months I have been completely injury free and have been in fairly consistent form recently. I think I'm still in shock and to be honest I don't think it will really sink in until the Olympics arrive."
Eglington will make a decision on his career at the end of 2008 and will not travel to Beijing with the team.
"At this stage I won't make a decision on 2009 until the end of the year. What has happened is devastating but even though I won't be in the team I obviously wish the rest of the guys the best of luck as we try and win back to back gold medals. To do so will be fantastic, not only for the team but for hockey in Australia."
Coach Barry Dancer said Eglington would receive the full support of Kookaburras team.
"The full squad and support staff have great empathy for Nathan's situation. He has been a very exciting and valuable player for the Kookaburras and has contributed significantly to the success of the team over an extended period.
We are all hoping he has a full recovery and the opportunity to perform in international hockey at such a high level again." Said Dancer.
Source: Hockey Australia
Report: Mourinho, Inter Milan reach agreement
According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, José Mourinho and Inter Milan have come to an agreement for the former Chelsea man to replace Roberto Mancini as coach.
It was reported in the Italian press earlier Monday that Mourinho had made up his mind that he wanted the job at Inter, but had issued club president Massimo Moratti a deadline of midnight to make or break the deal.
Moratti, who was said to be having second thoughts about whether or not to keep Mancini on, has now, according to A Bola, decided that Mourinho is indeed his man.
The 45-year-old has apparently been handed a three-year contract at San Siro, and will earn $14 million per season.
As part of the deal, Mourinho will immediately be allowed to sign former players Frank Lampard from Chelsea and Deco from Barcelona, while Luís Figo will be handed a one-year extension to his current contract that runs out next month.
The Mancini era, which yielded three successive Scudetti, appears now to be over, although it must be noted that there is still no official confirmation.
It was reported in the Italian press earlier Monday that Mourinho had made up his mind that he wanted the job at Inter, but had issued club president Massimo Moratti a deadline of midnight to make or break the deal.
Moratti, who was said to be having second thoughts about whether or not to keep Mancini on, has now, according to A Bola, decided that Mourinho is indeed his man.
The 45-year-old has apparently been handed a three-year contract at San Siro, and will earn $14 million per season.
As part of the deal, Mourinho will immediately be allowed to sign former players Frank Lampard from Chelsea and Deco from Barcelona, while Luís Figo will be handed a one-year extension to his current contract that runs out next month.
The Mancini era, which yielded three successive Scudetti, appears now to be over, although it must be noted that there is still no official confirmation.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
FORMULA 1 MONACO
When Ferrari wrapped up the front row of the grid for the Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s only real hope of victory seemed to lie in the hands of the weather gods. It duly rained before the start, but after six laps the Englishman walloped the wall hard on the exit to the Swimming Pool, while trailing poleman Felipe Massa’s Ferrari. Into the pits he came, and at that stage the race seemed to belong to the Brazilian.McLaren, however, brimmed the MP4-23 with fuel, and Hamilton caught his first break when the safety car was deployed on the eighth lap after Red Bull’s David Coulthard and Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Bourdais went off at Massenet. The racing resumed on the 11th lap, and two laps later Kimi Raikkonen dropped out of second place when he had to serve a drive-through penalty for having his tyres fitted too late in the grid. Now BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica moved up to push Massa, and was able to snatch the lead when the latter slid momentarily up the escape road at Ste Devote on the 16th lap. Hamilton was chasing hard after them, with Raikkonen now trailing in fourth place.Kubica stayed ahead until he refuelled on the 26th lap, whereupon Massa went back into the lead until his stop on the 33rd lap. By then Hamilton was up to second, and after moving into the lead… he just kept going.He did not have to refuel until the 54th lap, and that lengthy stint proved absolutely crucial. Kubica had already stopped for the second time a lap earlier, so was no further threat, and having built a lead of 37.6s Hamilton could refuel, switch to Bridgestone’s soft tyres, and resume still in the lead.Still he was not home and dry, however. He was 40 seconds ahead when Nico Rosberg, running a lap down after two pits stops to replace damaged noses, tanked his Williams hard into the walls on the exit to the Swimming Pool on the 61st lap. Out came the safety car again, and suddenly Hamilton’s huge advantage had been eroded completely. He kept his head when the race restarted on the 68th lap, however, and was able to pull away to what he described as “a very emotional triumph. The highlight of my career.”Behind him, Kubica had no trouble fending off Massa for second for BMW Sauber.Adrian Sutil could have finished fourth for Force India - yes, that’s right - having driven a superb race with a heavy fuel load. But he was the biggest loser in the second safety-car incident. He had been comfortably ahead of Raikkonen’s Ferrari when Rosberg crashed, and was later assaulted by the red car going into the chicane as the race resumed. Raikkonen had got into the same sort of tank-slapper as David Coulthard did in qualifying, and though the Finn kept control of his car he smacked hard enough into the back of Sutil’s car to remove his own front wing and put the unfortunate German out of the greatest race of his life.As Raikkonen fell back, Mark Webber finished fourth for Red Bull ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who finally got a break to bring his new Toro Rosso STR3 home fifth in front of Rubens Barrichello’s Honda, Kazuki Nakajima’s Williams and Heikki Kovalainen, all of whom fought throughout. The McLaren driver had to start from the pit lane after his MP4-23 stalled on the grid, and scooped the final point by keeping Raikkonen at bay to the flag, which fell two laps sooner than scheduled as the race reached the two-hour mark.Behind Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso was 10th for Renault after a series of collisions, then came Jenson Button, who lost his Honda’s front wing on the opening lap in a brush with Nick Heidfeld, the Toyotas of thrice-spinning Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli, and Heidfeld himself, who was assaulted by Alonso in a brush at the Lowes hairpin.Besides Sutil, Rosberg (who was subsequently sent to hospital for precautionary checks), Coulthard and Bourdais, Nelson Piquet dropped out of a tough fight with Vettel after brushing a wall, and Giancarlo Fisichella’s 200th race ended in retirement too.The result of a nail-biting race puts Hamilton back in the championship lead with 38 points to Raikkonen’s 35, Massa’s 34 and Kubica’s 32. In the constructors’ stakes, Ferrari have 69 to McLaren’s 53 and BMW Sauber’s 52. The battle for the world championship has suddenly come alive again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)