Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
from Olympics Notebook: Vancouver 2010:
Olympics Hockey Super Sunday — live
We're running a live blog on the mouth-watering line up of hockey on Sunday, featuring Russia v Czech Republic in Group B, Canada v United States in Group A and Sweden v Finland in Group C.
We'll be talking hockey all day so please feel free to dip in. The fun starts Sunday. Early.
Russia expects as Plushenko prepares for glory
Millions of Russians will be setting their alarm clocks a little earlier than usual on Friday morning.
The patriotic inhabitants of the world’s largest country are desperate to see Yevgeny Plushenko bring home the cherished gold medal in the men’s free skate at the Winter Olympics later today.
The flamboyant blond-haired veteran holds a narrow lead over his rivals at the competition’s half way stage, and all of Russia is willing him to victory.
Plushenko’s story has all the makings of a great Olympic drama. The 34-year-old retired from the sport following his landmark Olympic win in the same competition in Turin in 2006, but upset by a perceived decline in a proud Russian figure skating tradition he announced his intention to defend his title and with it Russian honour this year.
from Reuters Soccer Blog:
France break Irish hearts to seal World Cup slot
France ensured the likes of Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Thierry Henry will be at the World Cup in South Africa next year after winning through with a goal that has left Irish fans seething.
There was nothing wrong with the finish from William Gallas, but Thierry Henry admitted using his hand to keep the ball in play and commentators and Irish supporters are already talking of "The Hand of God II" and "The Hand of Henry" in reference to Diego Maradona in 1986.
"Yes, there is handball but I am not the referee," Henry told reporters. "I'm in the box, there are two defenders in front of me. The ball bounced off my hand, the referee did not see it and I played on."
Having said that, I can perfectly understand the feelings here. Every football fan has had to endure such injustices for their team at one stage or another but it hurts even more in a game with such high stakes.
We are now running the story that the Irish FA are asking FIFA for a replay. I think that’s very unlikely to happen but I guess even making the request makes a point to FIFA and France.
http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/ -/6494536/irish-fa-calls-france-playoff- replayed
from Reuters Soccer Blog:
World Cup playoff draw – your views
Draw for the European World Cup playoffs:
Republic of Ireland v France Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina Greece v Ukraine Russia v Slovenia
Two-legged ties to be played on Nov 14 and 18.
Giovanni Trapattoni has moulded Ireland into a very hard team to beat indeed. If France fails to score in Croke Park or even lose, there is definitely a chance of an upset over two legs.
Sharapova shows she is more than a pretty face
I have never been a big fan of Maria Sharapova’s tennis. I prefer fellow Russian Dinara Safina, who I like to nickname ‘Marata’ (her brother being Marat Safin).
Many men will prefer Sharapova for reasons other than tennis but Safina can be more enjoyable to watch on court, especially when it’s clay.
But I have to say I have become fond of Sharapova since Roland Garros started last weekend.
from Reuters Soccer Blog:
Hiddink tells Reuters he is in talks with Chelsea
Guus Hiddink is in talks with Chelsea about taking over as manager until the end of the season while continuing as Russia coach.
Hiddink said he was approached by the Premier League club to coach the team after Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked on Monday.
"I have to admit it's a complicated situation involving the Russian national team and Chelsea," the Dutchman told Reuters in an exclusive interview in Turkey.
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