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Sports Bites
Stained Balls
A pink cricket ball has been used for the first time ever in a match in England at Lords. The match between MCC XI and Scotland was a 50-over encounter which used the pink ball as trial. If successful the pink ball could be used in Twenty20 and limited overs internationals in 2009. Traditional white balls become discoloured by grass stains making them difficult for fielders and batsmen to see in certain conditions. They also have to be replaced after 35 overs as they become scuffed up. The first trial of the pink ball was at a women's match in Brisbane in January between Queensland and Western Australia. Two different types of pink balls were tested. Trials of an orange ball were scrapped in 1989 as it was difficult to see on TV. Ultimately it will be television which decides the fate of the pink ball.
Fighters Queue
Antonio Tarver has joined the list of fighters keen to take on Joe Calzaghe following his Las Vegas win against Bernard Hopkins. The IBF light-heavyweight world champion wants to fight the Welshman, "Everyone was mentioned as Calzaghe's potential next opponent but me, the true light-heavyweight world champion," said the 39-year-old American. "I will fight him in the US, in the UK or wherever he wants to fight on my way to unifying the belts this year." Calzaghe, 36, defeat Bernard Hopkins to take his 45th victory of an unbeaten career.
Jonny out
Rugby star, Jonny Wilkinson will undergo shoulder surgery at the end of the season, which will rule him out of England's tour of New Zealand in June. The Newcastle fly-half will have an operation to repair a long standing cartilage tear. Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew said "We would have liked him to tour and we intend to take our strongest available squad," said. "But player welfare is important and in this case it's the right call for Jonny not to go to New Zealand." England face the Barbarians at Twickenham on 1 June.
Worst player finally scores
After three years of trying and on his 55th attempt, Robert Dee, dubbed the worst tennis player in the world, finally won a match. Dee, 21, recorded his landmark victory in the qualifying section of a futures event in Spain. Dee beat Arzhang Derakhshani 6-4 6-3 in the first round of qualifying for the Reus tournament, near Barcelona. His moment of glory did not last long - he the went on to lose 6-3 6-1 to Artur Romanowski in the second round. Dee remains the joint holder of the record for the longest losing streak in the history of the pro game with Diego Beltranena of Guatemala.
Female fantastic
Danica Patrick has become the first female winner in IndyCar history after claiming the Indy Japan 300 race in Japan. The 26 year old, took the title in her 50th race at the Twin Ring Motegi racetrack finishing 5.8594 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves. "It's been a long time coming - this is fabulous," said Patrick.
F1 in Europe Formula 1 racing arrives in Europe for the first time in 2008 as the 11 teams arrive at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix. The circuit has the longest straight in the Formula One calendar where cars will reach speeds of over 320kph.
The 2008 race is the 40th Formula 1 event to be staged in Spain, with 37 Spanish Grands Prix and two European events taking place to date. McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about getting his season back on track by challenging for victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on 27 April. Hamilton's error-strewn weekend in Bahrain saw the 23-year-old lose his lead in the drivers' standings to reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen. "Looking into the next race I feel very confident we can do a better job," said the McLaren driver. "The car is feeling better and I feel a little bit more comfortable in it."
Interesting Fact…
The first motor sport event in Spain, the "Copa Catalunya" road race over 27,885kms, was staged in the Barcelona area in 1908. The Spanish Grand Prix appeared on the World Championship calendar for the first time in 1951. However, it was not until 1969 that a Grand Prix race was staged regularly in this country. Five circuits have hosted the race, Circuit de Catalunya, Jarama, Jerez, Montjuich and Pedrables.
Spanish Football VALENCIA CF. COACH ROLAND KOEMAN SACKED
Winning the Spanish Cup wasn’t enough, the fact that Valencia are just 2ºpoints from the relegation zone & the 5-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic de Bilbao, was the straw that broke the camels back. VALENCIA CF has announced that it has sacked coach ROLAND KOEMAN. If you saw the match it is easy to see why Valencia decided
to get Koeman out of the teams driving seat. Now there is one only objective, avoid the 2º division!
LUIS FABIANO CURRENT SPANISH LEAGUE TOP GOAL SCORER AFTER ROUND 33 / 2008
The Spanish 1ºst Division - La Liga - has already turned out 33 rounds & with just 5º more left, the "Pichichi" title (The Top Goalscorer in the Spanish League in one season) is a tight race. The 2º favourites are Luis Fabiano & Dani Guiza, are separated by just 2 goals, with Raul close by but with a gap of 6 goals from the leader. After Round 33 the current Top Goal Scorer in the Spanish League is LUIS FABIANO (Sevilla FC) with 23 goals. In second place two goals behind DANI GUIZA (Real Mallorca) with 21 goals. He is currently the leading Spanish player in the goal scoring tally. Scoring a Hat-Trick Sunday!
3. Raul (Real Madrid CF) - 17 goals
4. Nihat (Villareal) - 15 goals
5. Diego Milito (Real Zaragoza) - 15 goals
6. Sergio Aguero (At.Madrid) - 15 goals
The last 5 remaining Rounds promise to be exciting as Fabiano & Guiza (with a slight chance for Raul) "battle" to proclaim themselves the "Pichichi" title for 2007 - 2008.
SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 33/ 2008 GAMES RESULTS
SFS was out of town this weekend in a "non-digital zone" & was glued to the radio listening to all of the Round 33 games, where the news is that Real Madrid could claim the title next week. Atletico de Madrid still hold onto the 4ºth Champions spot &
Zaragoza climb out of the relegation zone.
REAL MADRID took a giant leap Sunday after defeating RACING 0-2 & position themselves with the possibility of claiming the Spanish Championship if they win this Sunday. They also did Atletico de Madrid a huge favour by keeping Racing in 5ºth place, 1ºpoint behind them, in the battle for the coveted 4ºth Champions League spot. Real Madrid were solid today & concentrated with the task, in a ground that traditionally is not their favourite. Mighty Captain RAUL scored first in the 12 min to get them rolling, however Racing are a tough team & were not knocked down until the very last moment when HIGUAIN scored Real Madrid´s second in the 94th min. Real now has a 10 point advantage over 2ºnd placed Villareal & 11ºpoint advantage over 3ºrd placed Barcelona.
ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 – REAL BETIS 3 game. Atletico have huge problems in defence, they were rolled by Betis who virtually secures their stay in the 1ºdivision. Atletico apart from playing badly, are the luckiest team in the world, as everytime they
lose & look like falling off the 4ºth Champions position, the following teams after that spot (Racing, Sevilla...) also lose.
VILLAREAL claimed 2ºplace after winning 2-0 VALLADOLID. Turkish star NIHAT scored first in the 15th min & CAZORLA sentenced in the 46th min.
MURCIA lost 1-4 to MALLORCA thanks to a HAT TRICK by DANI GUIZA ( above) who scored in the 10th, 48th & 88th min. Team mate ARANGO also scored in the 18th min to add to the scoring feast. Real Murcia grabbed the consolation goal in the 91st min thanks to BAIANO.
SEVILLA FC lost 1-4 to in form ALMERIA on Saturday. Almeria is a solid team that now sees itself positioned to fight for Uefa Cup ladder positions & even attempt the 4ºth Champions League position as well. Remember they were in 2º division last season
& are turning in a revelation team season. It could have been 1-5 but Negredo missed a penalty; a whitewash & total win over Sevilla
Striker
www.spanishfootballsports.blogspot.com
Javea Green Bowls Club – Weekly Round Up with Alan Phillips
Sponsored by MATRIX 35 finance
This week saw our Club Champions making the long trip to Country Bowls, (a 400km round trip), to play in the CBBA Champion of Champions. A huge thank you to all of them, for giving up their time and spending their money on fuel & accommodation, to represent Javea Green. Derek Eldon continued his success story by reaching the final of the Singles but unfortunately lost to Terry Perchard of Monte Mar. Derek with Lynne Eldon and Chris & Dennis Reeves also lost in the Rinks semi-final, to the eventual winners from Albir. All of our players would like to thank Trevor Neale & Brian Collins, for driving down to Country Bowls to support them.
A “surprise” visit from the “Place in the Sun” television crew this week, saw over 100 members come for Club morning last Tuesday! The rumour that Brian Taylor was kitted out in full Dinner Jacket was however unfounded! The programme was following a couple who were considering buying a house in the Javea area and were looking for the “premier” club on the Northern Costa Blanca. Well they found the Club, but did they find the house? To those who managed to get on camera, the programme will be broadcast later this year.
Good luck to everyone entering the BBC Open this week and to our Club members who are playing in the MATRIX 35finance Spring 3-2-1 competition.
Enjoy your bowling.
WILLIAM IS TOP ROOKIE
The Costa’s British racing driver William Zollo, 17, was top rookie at his season-start at Donington Grand Prix Circuit, Leicestershire on April 13th. It was William’s first-ever appearance at Donington where he debut-raced his new 350 h.p. Palmer Audi 270 k.p.h. single-seater. Driving against 21 other competitors from seven countries he achieved two 8th places and one 9th in three events and scored 35 points to be placed 7th in the championship. The six drivers ahead of William had all raced Palmer Audis last year so William was top rookie. He got a special award for overtaking the most people. Said William, “Because of my lack of experience of both car and circuit I had expected to finish mid-field, perhaps 11th or 12th. So I am well pleased and now hope to improve my position”. William’s next races are at the famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit on May 4. There will be a huge crowd present as the meeting features the final round of the worldwide A1 Grand Prix series. All William’s races this year will be televised on the sports channel Motors TV.
Spanish Football Fixtures GROUP 6
01/05/2008
CREVILLENTE v ELCHE ILICITANO
OLIMPIC v ALZIRA
NOVELDA v PUZOL
THADER v J. BARRIO CRISTO
VALENCIA MESTALLA v BURJASSOT
ELDENSE v ALONE
JOVE ESPAÑOL v TORREVIEJA
LA NUCIA v VILLARREAL C
CATARROJA v ONDA
PEGO v CASTELLON B
GROUP 6
04/05/2008
ALZIRA v ELCHE ILICITANO
PUZOL v OLIMPIC
UTIEL v NOVELDA
BURJASSOT v THADER
ALONE v VALENCIA MESTALLA
TORREVIEJA v ELDENSE
VILLARREAL C v JOVE ESPAÑOL
ONDA v LA NUCIA
CASTELLON B v CATARROJA
PEGO v CREVILLENTE
VALENCIA GROUP 2
27/04/2008
ALMASSERA v MISLATA
TORRE LEVANTE O. v RIBARROJA
AT. BENAGUASIL v CRACK´S
LLIRIA v PUEBLA FARNALS
ALBORAYA v CUART POBLET
MASAMAGRELL v SP. REQUENA
PATERNA v BUÑOL
CHIVA v EL PUIG
FOYOS v LORIGUILLA
VALENCIA GROUP 2
04/05/2008
LORIGUILLA v ALMASSERA
MISLATA v TORRE LEVANTE O.
RIBARROJA v AT. BENAGUASIL
CRACK´S v LLIRIA
PUEBLA FARNALS v ALBORAYA
CUART POBLET v MASAMAGRELL
SP. REQUENA v PATERNA
BUÑOL v CHIVA
EL PUIG v FOYOS
VALENCIA GROUP 3
27/04/2008
BENIFAIO v CARCAIXENT
LLOSA v BENIGANIM
CD TORRENT v TAVERNES
MASSANASSA v ALGINET
PAIPORTA v CANALS
SUECA v OLIVA
ALBERIC v TORRENT CF
EMFU L´ALCUDIA v GUADASUAR
GANDIA v MURO
VALENCIA GROUP 3
04/05/2008
MURO v BENIFAIO
CARCAIXENT v LLOSA
BENIGANIM v CD TORRENT
TAVERNES v MASSANASSA
ALGINET v PAIPORTA
CANALS v OLIVA
SUECA v ALBERIC
TORRENT CF v EMFU L´ALCUDIA
GUADASUAR v GANDIA
ALICANTE GROUP 4
27/04/2008
ALBATERA v MONOVAR
PINOSO v ALTEA
HERCULES B v TORRELLANO
JAVEA v ORIHUELA B
ALMORADI v CALPE
ALGUEÑA v ALICANTE B
EL CAMPELLO v SANTA POLA
HORADADA v FINESTRAT
ALICANTE GROUP 4
04/05/2008
FINESTRAT v ALBATERA
MONOVAR v PINOSO
ALTEA v HERCULES B
TORRELLANO v JAVEA
POLOP v ALMORADI
CALPE v ALGUEÑA
ALICANTE B v EL CAMPELLO
SANTA POLA v HORADADA
English Football Fixtures and Tables
Premier League Table
|
| P
| GD
| PTS
| 1
| Man Utd
| 35
| 54
| 81
| 2
| Chelsea
| 35
| 36
| 78
| 3
| Arsenal
| 35
| 37
| 74
| 4
| Liverpool
| 35
| 36
| 69
| 5
| Everton
| 35
| 21
| 61
| 6
| Aston Villa
| 35
| 22
| 58
| 7
| Portsmouth
| 35
| 12
| 57
| 8
| Man City
| 35
| 1
| 55
| 9
| Blackburn
| 35
| 2
| 52
| 10
| West Ham
| 35
| -5
| 47
| 11
| Tottenham
| 35
| 6
| 42
| 12
| Newcastle
| 35
| -16
| 42
| 13
| Wigan
| 35
| -17
| 36
| 14
| Middlesbrough
| 35
| -18
| 36
| 15
| Sunderland
| 35
| -21
| 36
| 16
| Bolton
| 35
| -20
| 32
| 17
| Reading
| 35
| -28
| 32
| 18
| Birmingham
| 35
| -17
| 31
| 19
| Fulham
| 35
| -26
| 27
| 20
| Derby
| 35
| -59
| 11
|
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
26 April
Birmingham v Liverpool, 15:00
Chelsea v Man Utd, 12:45
Man City v Fulham, 15:00
Sunderland v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Tottenham v Bolton, 15:00
West Ham v Newcastle, 15:00
Wigan v Reading, 15:00
27 April
Everton v Aston Villa, 16:00
Portsmouth v Blackburn, 13:30
28 April
Derby v Arsenal, 20:00
3 May
Aston Villa v Wigan, 15:00
Blackburn v Derby, 15:00
Bolton v Sunderland, 15:00
Fulham v Birmingham, 15:00
Man Utd v West Ham, 12:45
Middlesbrough v Portsmouth, 15:00
Reading v Tottenham, 15:00
4 May
Arsenal v Everton, 13:30
Liverpool v Man City, 16:00
5 May
Newcastle v Chelsea, 16:00
League Championship Table
|
| P
| GD
| PTS
| 1
| West Brom
| 44
| 31
| 77
| 2
| Stoke
| 44
| 13
| 75
| 3
| Hull
| 44
| 18
| 72
| 4
| Bristol City
| 44
| -1
| 71
| 5
| Watford
| 44
| 7
| 69
| 6
| Crystal Palace
| 44
| 12
| 68
| 7
| Ipswich
| 44
| 8
| 65
| 8
| Sheff Utd
| 44
| 5
| 63
| 9
| Wolverhampton
| 43
| 1
| 63
| 10
| Plymouth
| 44
| 8
| 61
| 11
| Charlton
| 44
| 5
| 61
| 12
| Burnley
| 44
| -2
| 61
| 13
| Cardiff
| 43
| 4
| 60
| 14
| QPR
| 44
| -1
| 58
| 15
| Preston
| 44
| -3
| 55
| 16
| Blackpool
| 44
| -2
| 53
| 17
| Coventry
| 44
| -9
| 52
| 18
| Norwich
| 44
| -10
| 52
| 19
| Barnsley
| 44
| -13
| 52
| 20
| Leicester
| 44
| -1
| 51
| 21
| Southampton
| 44
| -17
| 50
| 22
| Sheff Wed
| 44
| -6
| 49
| 23
| Scunthorpe
| 44
| -24
| 42
| 24
| Colchester
| 44
| -23
| 37
|
CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
26 April
Barnsley v Charlton, 15:00
Burnley v Cardiff, 15:00
Colchester v Stoke, 15:00
Coventry v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Hull v Crystal Palace, 15:00
Leicester v Sheff Wed, 15:00
Norwich v QPR, 15:00
Plymouth v Blackpool, 15:00
Preston v Ipswich, 15:00
Sheff Utd v Bristol City, 15:00
Watford v Scunthorpe, 15:00
28 April
West Brom v Southampton, 19:45
4 May
Blackpool v Watford, 14:00
Bristol City v Preston, 14:00
Cardiff v Barnsley, 14:00
Charlton v Coventry, 14:00
Crystal Palace v Burnley, 14:00
Ipswich v Hull, 14:00
QPR v West Brom, 14:00
Scunthorpe v Colchester, 14:00
Sheff Wed v Norwich, 14:00
Southampton v Sheff Utd, 14:00
Stoke v Leicester, 14:00
Wolverhampton v Plymouth, 14:00
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