Left field

from Photographers Blog:

Climbing Eden Park

By Bogdan Cristel

After 40 hours of flying Bucharest - Amsterdam - Beijing - Auckland, I arrived in New Zealand; my first time in the Southern Hemisphere.

The first nice surprise here was that both my check-in pieces of luggage arrived on the same flight (I expected it to take a week and to be on the safe side packed a toothbrush in my hand luggage).

After a day of adjustment, with serious jet-leg (New Zealand is 9 hours ahead of Romania), slowly the Rugby World Cup started for me.

The first big assignment was the RWC opening ceremony and the first match. Reuters had three photographers covering it – Jacky Naegelen, Nigel Marple and me. When Tim Wimborne, our photo editor, asked if I wanted to be in an elevated position for the opening ceremony, I said yes without any thought. I had no idea what it meant.

Organizers held a dress rehearsal two days before the opening ceremony giving photographers a chance to check shooting angles and identify highlights. For me it was different – I was one of four photographers shooting from the stadium roof.

We were all equipped with harnesses and safety cables to attach working gear. All our equipment, about 20kg (44 pounds), was carried to the roof in a box, secured with rope, to our shooting position lest it fall on any spectator below.

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

United get rude awakening

The plain sailing Manchester United would have expected in the group stage of their Champions League campaign has turned into a rough ride after Tuesday’s 3-3 home draw with Swiss side Basel, who were unlucky not to have come away from Old Trafford with the three points.

Two draws in their last two games, away to Stoke City in the Premier League and the late escape against Basel, will have rooted out any complacency that might have crept into Alex Ferguson’s men after their flying start to the season which included an 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal.

United’s last two performances also showed that despite their three big summer signings in David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, the team still lack depth when key players are injured.

With Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Javier Hernandez and the increasingly influential Chris Smalling all sidelined, United’s makeshift 11 with Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia filling in at right back looked bereft of ideas up front against Stoke and utterly unconvincing even when they were 2-0 up against Basel, when only a late Young header spared them from paying in full for a comedy of errors at the back.

Any thoughts of wrestling the Champions League title away from holders Barcelona will have also taken a back seat for the time being, especially given they also drew 1-1 at Benfica in their opener, as Ferguson could face fresh dilemmas with what to do with one or two players.

Dimitar Berbatov looks confined to the fringes, behind four other strikers in the pecking order, and Ferguson might be tempted to offload the Bulgarian during the January transfer window when he can still get a decent bargain for last season’s joint top scorer in the Premier League.

Michael Owen won widespread praise for his brace in the 3-0 League Cup win over Leeds United last week but looked rather flat against Stoke and played no part on Tuesday, while Rio Ferdinand was completely at sea against Basel’s 32-year old striker Alexander Frei.

The Lineman: Week Three NFL picks

Had a Baltimore Ravens type Sunday last week, going 2-4 after a brilliant (if I do say so) 5-1 start to the season. But like the Ravens, I look for a big bounce back in Week 3.

Record: 7-5. Last week 2-4; Pick of the Week: 2-0

PICK OF THE WEEK Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1) (Line: Chargers minus-14.5)

The Chargers usually play with about as much energy as a dead battery early in the season but I am not expecting the Bolts will need to dig deep to blow out the dreadful Chiefs, who have been outscored 89-10 in their opening two games. Even on a good day, the Chiefs have not fared well at Qualcomm Stadium, recording just one win in their last seven visits, including a 31-0 pummeling last season. All signs point to another thrashing. A bad season just keeps getting worse for KC, who have already lost All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season ending injuries. The Chiefs have been a turnover machine handing over the ball nine times in two games and sit last in scoring and rushing. The Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford and St. Louis Rams’ Sam Bradford each shredded the Chiefs secondary for four touchdown passes and now face a quality Chargers offence led by Philip Rivers. The Chargers laboured to a win over the Minnesota Vikings at home in their opener and then turned in a sloppy effort losing to the Patriots but only Tom Brady and super-rookie Cam Newton have tossed for more yards through the first two weeks. The Chargers also tend to play better at home going 12-2 in their last 14 regular season games and I love those powder blue uniforms. Unless Southern California slips into the Pacific this one is a lock. Lightning strikes. Take the Bolts and give up the 14.5. - – - - Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2) (Line: Panthers minus-3.5) Panthers super rookie Cam Newton could pass for a gazillion yards this season but it will not mean much unless he can produce a few wins. The Panthers triggerman, who has indeed impressed tossing for a rookie record 854 yards in his first two contests, will get a chance on Sunday to prove there is some steak to go along with that sizzle. Newton has played in just two games but compared to Jaguars rookie pivot Blaine Gabbert, who will be making his first career start, he is a grizzled veteran. That stench coming out of Jacksonville is the smell of desperation as coach Jack Del Rio searches for a quarterback. After cutting loose incumbent QB David Garrard just before the season opener, Del Rio needed only two weeks to decide Luke McCown was not the answer. Jacksonville ranks 30th in passing after two games, McCown getting the hook after tossing four interceptions in a 32-3 loss to the New York Jets. The Jaguars have a quality running back Maurice Jones-Drew and … umm, well let us leave it at that. The Panthers have the NFL’s second ranked offense and second ranked passing attack. Wide receiver Steve Smith leads the league in receiving yards with 334. While Newton’s aerial show has been grabbing the headlines, look for the Panthers to try for a more balanced attack with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart getting work. Playing at home and with Chicago, New Orleans and Atlanta in the on deck circle, I’ve got to believe this is a game the Panthers have had circled for a while. This looks like a purrr-fect spot for Panthers win. Take the Panthers give up the 3.5. - – - - Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2) (Line: Lions minus-3.5) Having lived in Detroit the previous four years, including that miserable 0-16 season, I have been slow to jump on the Lions bandwagon. The vibe has not been this upbeat in the Motown since Stevie Wonder and the Supremes were churning out gold records. But now it Ndamukong Suh recording the hits as the Lions bid for their first 3-0 start since 1980. Counting last season and the pre-season games, the Lions are on a nine-game winning streak, including a 48-3 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I can see no reason for it to end at the Mall of the Americas. Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson are as good as any pass-catch combo in the league. The Lions finally have an offense that has teeth, ranking second in league scoring while Johnson is tied for the lead in touchdown catches with four. Led by Suh, the Lions defence has shown some bite with eight takeaways. About the only thing the Vikings have going for them is the running of Adrian Peterson and history. Peterson ranks fourth in rushing with 218 yards in two games while the Lions have not won in Minny since 1997, a run of 13 straight losses. Fire up the bandwagon – I’m in. Take the Lions and give up the 3.5. - – - - Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2) (Line: Ravens minus-3.5) Of all the letdowns last week this is the one that confused me the most. The Ravens looked liked Super Bowl champs crushing the Steelers in their opener then were just plain Super Bad against a very ordinary Tennessee Titans team. You do not expect that type of letdown from Ray Lewis and company. For that reason alone I am looking for a big bounce back this week from the Ravens when they visit the injury-ravaged Rams. After a big step forward last season the Rams will be desperate to avoid starting the season 0-3 but with workhorse running back Steven Jackson on the limp, gaining mileage against a tough Ravens run defence will be difficult. Baltimore held Tennessee’s Chris Johnson to a measly 53 yards last week but the problem was a leaky pass defence that Matt Hasselbeck was able to exploit. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been doing a good Jekyll and Hyde impression, throwing for three touchdowns against the Steelers then serving up two interceptions to the Titans. Bottom line. Losing does not sit well with the Ravens. After their last eight defeats, the Ravens have responded with eight big wins. Make that nine. Take the Ravens and give up the 3.5. - – - - New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) (Line: Eagles minus-7.5) Ok, the $100 million question hanging over this one is will concussed Eagles quarterback Michael Vick play? Nothing has been confirmed but all signs point to Vick being under centre on Sunday when the Giants pay a visit. While the football world has been focused on Vick’s headache, the New Yorkers have bigger problems with an injury list that includes wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion), receiver and return specialist Domenik Hixon (torn knee ligaments), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee), first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara (foot) and tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring). Already out for the season with torn knee ligaments are starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, cornerback Terrell Thomas and reserves Clint Sintim and Brian Witherspoon. Second-round draft choice Marvin Austin (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Bruce Johnson (Achilles) and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels (illness) are also on injured reserve. OUCH. If Vick is unable to go Mike (who is this gu?y) Kafka is expected to get the start. While Kafka represents a serious drop-off, he will have a full complement of weapons to choose from including big play threats DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin. Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith, who caught passes for the Giants the last four seasons, gets his first crack at his former team. The Giants may have some success running the ball but Eli Manning could be in for a long day against a five-star Eagles pass rush and secondary. The New Yorkers have lost the last six meetings between the longtime rivals and are still stinking from last year’s humiliating defeat when they coughed up 28 points in the last eight minutes allowing the Eagles to comeback and claim an unlikely 38-31 win. Vick or no Vick, the Giants are too banged up to pose too much of problem to the Eagles, who will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Eagles have landed. Take the Eagles and give up the 7.5. - – - - Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) (Line: Falcons plus 1.5) The Falcons were tipped by a lot of people as Super Bowl material but have yet to display a champions pedigree after being demolished by the Bears in Week 1 and then squeaking past the Eagles in Week 2. It is only Week 3 but it is crunch time for the Falcons as they fly south to take on NFL South rivals Tampa in a key early-season clash. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finally looked in sync last week firing a career-high four touchdown passes in a comeback win over Philly but success in Tampa is likely to hinge on running back Michael Turner. Only the St. Louis Rams have a worse run defence than the Buccaneers who are giving up an average of 156 yards a game on the ground. Turner is among the NFL’s early rushing leaders ranking sixth with 214 yards. Tampa QB Josh Freeman is the master of the comebacks and did it again last week rallying the Bucs to a win over the Vikings. The Falcons are chasing their fifth straight win at Raymond James Stadium. Games between these two NFC rivals have been traditionally close with the Falcons coming out on top. Getting points is a bonus. The Bucs stop here. Take the Falcons and the 1.5.

The Lineman: Week Two NFL picks

The Lineman got the season off to a Tom Brady like start going 5-1 but still room to improve so here’s the Six Pack for Week 2.

Record: 5-1. Last week 0-0; Pick of the Week: 1-0

PICK OF THE WEEK Houston Texans (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1) (Line Texans minus-2.5)

The Texans beat the Manning-less Colts like a rented mule in their opener while the Dolphins were filleted by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Monday nighter.

Brady shredded a Miami pass defence for over 500 yards and even though the Texans do not have the same offensive weapons as the Pats I expect to see Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to put up big numbers.

More bad news for Miami, the Texans are likely to have Arian Foster back in the lineup after last season’s rushing leader missed the season opener with a tweaked hamstring.

Dolphins quarterback, Chad “I get no respect” Henne put in a gutsy effort against New England and wide out Brandon Marshall was a monster and that combo could give Texan cornerbacks nightmares.

The U.S. Open gets physical

The U.S. Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was one of the most physical battles ever seen on a tennis court.

The sheer speed of their groundstrokes and length of the rallies were incredible. Djokovic dominated Nadal in the first two sets, to win them 6-2 6-4. He was on top of the baseline forcing Nadal to play well behind the baseline and not allowing him to play inside the court and dictate. Nadal though is tenacious and was down a break three times in the third set and broke Djokovic while serving for the match to end up winning the third set in a tiebreaker. Unfortunately, Nadal had nothing left in the fourth set.

With Djokovic taking an injury time out for his back at the end of the third set, Nadal’s momentum was gone and Djokovic cruised 6-1 in the fourth set to win his first U.S. Open title.

He became the sixth man in Open history to win three majors in a year. From my vantage point in the Sky Sports studio I could see the look on Nadal’s face at the end of the match – he still has no idea how to play or beat Djokovic. There is no clear weakness in Djokovic’s game and he does everything better than Nadal at the moment. Djokovic has raised men’s tennis to another level.

“You just can’t speak to umpires like that” – Rusedski on Serena

Week two of the U.S. Open had many stories. Would the weather destroy the momentum of the event? How would the courts hold up? Will the U.S. Open finally make plans to build a roof? Who would be the men’s and woman’s U.S. Open champions?

On the woman’s side Serena Williams made the finals easily and was the big favorite to win the title against Sam Stosur. Stosur had the longest match in US Open history and played the longest tie breaker in U.S. open history as well, to make the finals. Nobody except Sam Stosur thought she would win. If she won, she would become the first Australian woman to win a major since 1980. She played the match of her life and won 6-2 6-3.

But playing Serena is never dull. At 6-2 30/40 break point down Serena, shouted ”come on” during the point which you are not allowed to do because the rules say you are not allowed to distract your opponent during the point, which she did.

The chair umpire rewarded the point immediately to Stosur to give her a set and a break lead. Serena blew up and lost it. Unfortunately for Serena she let herself down and showed poor sportsmanship. It is easy to be gracious when you win, but when you are losing we see a players true sportsmanship.

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Champions League kicks off but is there only one winner?

Can any team steal Barcelona's Champions League crown this term?

The easy answer is no.

They were so strong last season that even the final against a good Manchester United side was a stroll.

This term Pep Guardiola's men have strengthened, if that was possible, with the additions of Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez so it is hard to look past them and their silky skills.

But, no team has successfully defended a Champions League title so there is hope for the rest.

United have added youth to their mix and look Barca's only proper rivals again unless Jose Mourinho can work his European Cup magic at Real Madrid.

After all, it only took him two seasons to win the Champions League with an overachieving Inter Milan side.

The Lineman is back! Week One NFL picks

The Lineman is back for a new season with his weekly Pick Six tips. Have fun and good luck.

PICK OF THE WEEK Carolina Panthers (0-0) at Arizona Cardinals (0-0) (Line Cardinals minus-6.5)

Welcome to the NFL Mr. Cam Newton. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is sure to be the man in the spotlight for both TV talking heads and a Cardinals defence that will try to pressure the Panthers rookie into mistakes and turnovers of which there should be plenty.

Newton takes control of an offence that finished last in scoring and total yards last season and it’s hard to see Carolina improving on those numbers this year.

With Newton facing a steep learning curve, the Panthers are likely to rely on running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to carry the load.

The Cardinals were not much better offensively but the addition of quarterback Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles is a huge upgrade over a trio of flops, Derek Anderson, John Skelton and Max Hall.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a game breaker supreme and tight end Todd Heap a big sure handed target.

Rusedski sticks to his picks

The first week of the US Open is always interesting. It’s easy to get a sense of what is going to happen, who is playing well and who is struggling. The weather conditions have been warm but not as humid and hot as last year, no major issues for the players – with the exception of Rafael Nadal and his cramps post match during his press conference.

On the men’s side Novak Djokovic has been sensational and has appeared to have had no issues with his shoulder that was worrying him in Cincinnati. Djokovic still looks like the favorite and is hitting the ball better than anyone in the tournament. Roger Federer has looked good as well, but had his first test against Mario Cilic. The big question mark around Federer is how will he play the big points if he plays Djokovic in the semi-finals but before getting there he has a tough section.

Rafael Nadal has been struggling a bit but he is still winning even though he’s not playing his best tennis. He will have to lift his game if he is to defend his title because at the moment he is not playing well enough to win. Andy Murray was hitting the ball well in his first match, but he got nervous in his second match but came through in five sets.

Winning against Robin Haase might be a blessing in disguise because he might relax more into the next round. In a grand slam you normally have to win at least one match not playing your best to win a major. Week Two will be a lot tougher so let’s see if the likes of Mardy Fish, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John Isner or Juan Martin Del Potro can cause a major upset.

On the women’s side all of this year’s grand slam champions are out. Petra Kvitova and Li Na both lost in the first round and with the withdrawal of Kim Clijsters it means that all of this year’s grand slam winners are no longer in the running to lift the trophy next weekend. From a British point of view Heather Watson lost in the first round in three tight sets against Maria Sharapova. Heather will have a bright future in tennis and has a great attitude. Laura Robson came through qualifying and won her first ever match at the U.S. Open before going out in the second round. Look out for these two British girls to carry British women’s tennis over the next decade.

Strauss’s side still not England’s best

By John Mehaffey

According to International Cricket Council statistician David Kendix’s calculations, three England sides before Andrew Strauss’s present team would have topped the test world rankings too if the current format had existed.

In reverse chronological order, they are Mike Brearley’s side of 1979-80, Ray Illingworth’s 1970-3 team and the 1955-9 squad led first by Len Hutton then Peter May.

Brearley’s side had the young Ian Botham in his athletic prime when he scythed through opposition sides with quick late swing.

The opposition, though, did not that at stage include the best Australian and West Indies sides who had contracted to play for Kerry Packer’s World Series. England’s 5-1 Ashes win in Australia in 1978-9 was against a virtual second XI.

A similar reservation applies to Illingworth’s men. The 1970-1 Ashes win in Australia was a triumph for a tough professional bunch captained shrewdly and including Geoff Boycott and John Snow at the peak of their powers. But the Australians had just been thumped 4-0 by an undeniably great South African side who were then sent into 22 years of apartheid enforced isolation.

That leaves the 1955-9 England side, who retained the Ashes both away and at home.