After 80 uneventful minutes where neither team could find the net, Russia’s captain saved from Italy’s Davide Di Molfetta, Giacomo Sciacca and Andre Palazzi. This paved the way for a sudden death kick from Sergei Makarov, sealing the win.Some have made the comparison to Russia’s historic penalty win in 2006, when Dmitry Khomukha used the same tactic to beat Sweden. That was Russia’s first time in the finals.For Italy’s part, their best game of the tournament was considered to be in the semi-finals. They carried their offensive style into the first half of the current game, but Mitryushkin managed to keep the ball out and the scores level. Although it appeared that the teams weren’t playing to their full potential, whenever a chance for a breakthrough arose, it was usually the Russians.Their substitute Aleksei Gasilin couldn’t get the ball past Palazzi’s blocks, while Danila Buranov hit the post with free-kick late in the game. When the time came for penalties, Russia got off to a perfect start as Mitryushkin saved the opening kick from Di Molfetta. The team kept its nerve and with four successes from the spot secured the title.The victory should hopefully inject some optimism into Russian football ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which the country will be hosting for the first time ever, as well as it being the first time the event is held in Eastern Europe. Russia won the bid in 2009. … Read More
Lesbian kiss fails to shock Eurovision fans
A woman-on-woman kiss during the semi-finals failed to raise eyebrows among Eurovision Song Contest fans, but AFP’s Sören Billing finds out why the “Gays World Cup” may not please socially conservative eastern European authorities. … Read More
Malmö locals cash in on Eurovision frenzy
Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest finals is bringing a cash windfall for Malmö, not least for some locals who are renting out their apartments to devoted music fans, The Local’s Patrick Reilly discovers. … Read More
Will Ware be stuck with the bill?
Louisville sophomore Kevin Ware’s injury today in the Midwest Regional finals of the NCAA tournament will likely be remembered alongside Joe Theismann’s career-ender as one of the most tragically gruesome in sports history. But that’s not the only tragic and gruesome part of this episode, because unlike Theismann, who was working under a guaranteed contract, Ware was an NCAA athlete helping to generate millions of dollars for the NCAA, but not even guaranteed a four-year education scholarship. As in so many other similar cases, that means his injury in service to the NCAA’s multimillion-dollar machine could spell the end of his financial aid and massive health care bills to boot.Yes, that’s right — NCAA basketball is a $780-million-a year business that makes one-percenters out of NCAA executives, coaches, athletic directors and college administrators. Yet that same business offers relative scraps to the players that actually generate that money.Continue Reading… … Read More
Big spending PSG face tough Barca task
http://www.youtube.com/v/VK6t1UeuGIM?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata Source: Big spending PSG face tough Barca task
Plagiarism probe into Euphoria ‘copy’
Germany’s entry for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest finals in Malmö is under investigation following accusations that it’s a rip off Swedish artist Loreen’s 2012 winning song, Euphoria. … Read More
Heat Pound Thunder 110-100: LeBron James’ Streak Ends, Still Dominates OKC (VIDEO)
OKLAHOMA CITY — LeBron James had 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Miami Heat trampled the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-100 in a Thursday night showcase before the All-Star break.
Chris Bosh chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat won their sixth straight against the Thunder dating to last year’s NBA Finals. Miami swept the season series after winning on its home court on Christmas Day, following up after taking the last four games of the Finals.
