Will Sachin bring back India's Glory in New Zealand

Indian Cricket team started in a losing note in New Zealand. But it was not a bad start at all. They gave a spirited and a tough award to the Kiwis. But this is not a good sign for the champions point of view. With Sachin joining the squad for the ODI's and Test, the Indian team will have a great hope to turn it over. Lets hope that Sachin brings laurels in Kiwi soil where he started his career in a great fashion. Come on India!!!! Do Well!!!! We will be behind you as a big force to support you in all corners. Good Luck guys!!!!

Don Bradman : Stats

• Don Bradman played test cricket ONLY against 4 countries - England, India, South Africa and West Indies. He did not play a test against New Zealand (the only Australia v New Zealand test match during his career was in 1946).
• Bradman captained Australia 24 times, winning 15 matches and losing 3.
• Don Bradman was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1931.
• Against India, Don Bradman averaged 178.75 in 6 innings. Bradman scored 4 centuries and 1 half century in 6 innings. Phew!
• Don Bradman averaged 201.50 in 5 tests against South Africa.
• Although he made his highest test score (334) in the 3rd test of the 1930 series in England, Bradman considered his 254 in the second test of the series to be his best innings technically.
• Don Bradman described himself as "predominately a back foot player".
• When he first saw the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1921, Don Bradman said to his father "I shall never be happy until I play at this ground" - in 1930, he scored a record 452 not out at that ground.
• Don Bradman's batting average over his career in test matches against all countries was 99.94 - if he had scored 4 more runs, he would have averaged 100 per innings.
• Don Bradman scored his first century (115 not out) for Bowral High School against Mittagong when he was 12 years old.
• Bradman’s fastest century was against South Africa in 1931-32. He took just 98 minutes to reach 100 runs mark, however it is unknown that how many balls he faced.
• Don Bradman converted seven consecutive centuries into a score of 150 or more. Our Veeru (Sehwag) has done better.
• Bradman’s dismal score in his first Test (18 and 1) and his last Test (0) is well known but very few know that he holds the record for the scoring the highest runs by any Austrailan in his second Test (79 and 112) and second last Test (33 and 173 n.o.).
• Bradman is said to have had more than one nickname. Braddles, Goldie, The babe Ruth of Cricket, The Little Fella are a few of them.

Beckham goes to AC Milan

The England midfielder, 33, plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, whose Major League Soccer season ends this weekend. Speaking on Wednesday morning, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "Beckham has chosen Milan. He'll stay here in Milan on loan for a few months. "Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way but Beckham is something different and intriguing."
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, who needs two more appearances to eclipse Bobby Moore as England's most-capped outfield player with 108, is eager to stay in contention for his country during the MLS close season. However, England coach Fabio Capello has made it clear he will only select players who are active and in form.

Is Kumble in the trap?

The next question have already rosen up as Amit Mishra performed exceptionally well in his debut match against Aussies. The youngster has troubled the Aussies in almost all the occasions in a pitch where even Bajji could not do. Will this performance show the gate for Anil Kumble to retirement after DADA. But i feel that this is the right time and series to call it a day as the next generation of talented and original leg spinners are on the queue.

Soccer - A game to be played

Soccer is a game most kids love to play. It’s a dynamic activity that’s kids love to engage in. Of course, we need not mention that kids idolizes athletes at an early age. Ask them who their favorite soccer player and they will immediately recite the name of the player. That is why they demand miniature version of the stuff they see on tv.I found a site wherein you could shop for your Soccer Equipment that would fit your child’s age.Soccer Goals INC. gives you a broad selection of Soccer Goals and soccer goals accessories to choose from including soccer backstops and rebounders, all of these from Franklin Sports.Soccer Goalz Inc. offers different types of portable soccer goals that you can easily set-up in your own backyard. Your kids can practice soccer anytime they want and be the best that they can be. Who knows one of them might be the next soccer superstar! Remember, most of those superstar athletes started young. Your kid might be on the way to stardom, you just don’t know now.Franklin Sports offer the most superior in quality and durability soccer goals, soccer nets and accessories that they offer at the most affordable of prices. So check out Soccer Goalz Inc. and get those soccer goals and nets for your kid now.

ROI beat Delhi by 187 runs to clinch the Irani Trophy

The Rest of India team under the leadership of Anil Kumble Clinched the Irani Trophy 2008 by defeating Delhi under the leadership of Sehwag by a mammoth 187 runs. Although the batting collapsed for both the teams, the rest of India bowlers (Zaheer, Bajji, Kumble, Munaf) did the job for the team with an excellent support from the fielders with brilliant catching and saves. Will this be a good moral booster for team India. Meanwhile Aussie team takes on Board President 11 under Yuvi from Oct 2nd as their warm up match.

Will fortune change for Tamilnadu's Subramaniam Badrinath

Subramaniam Badrinath, the affable middle-order mainstay of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Super Kings. Of course, it is another matter that the dreaded quota system has time and again conspired to keep him out of the Indian test team where lesser mortals have rode on the media’s shoulders to claim a slot that Badri had every right to aspire for.

For, any player with 15 centuries and 20 half-centuries fro 65 first-class games with an average of 56 runs apiece, is bound to feel hard-done when players with dubious technique and temperament were force-fitted into the national test team. Maybe, it was his robust technique and grafting nature that pushed Badrinath into the shadow in an era epitomised by stroke-makers like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and now Yusuf Pathan. Neither the fans, nor the selectors had the patience to watch a player who got behind every ball.

For the uninitiated, Badrinath was pitch-forked onto the national radar in the 2005-06-season when he scored 636 runs from seven matches with an average of 80-plus. The next year wasn’t as good but Badri still managed an average of 50-plus and what’s more he scored runs not just on home soil but on overseas A-tours too. In the 2007-08 Ranji season he was back with a bang scoring at over 65 runs an innings, a feat that got him recognition from ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who captained the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

In fact, Badrinath had a big part to play in the CSK’s journey to the finals of the inaugural IPL. Time and again he scored match-winning knocks for the “team in yellow” and on more than one occasion Dhoni complimented the Tamil Nadu player for his commitment to the team and understanding of match situation.

And it is precisely this cricketing mind that has been under focus for the past few days when Badrinath has led the India-A team admirably in the tri-series tournament against Australia-A and their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand. After a couple of early losses, the Indian A team has rebounded strongly, thanks to yet another match-winning innings from their captain.

Badri’s ability to rally the team around himself was evident in the last two games against New Zealand, both of which were won rather easily by the hosts. His crisp fielding and quick bowling changes ensured that the opponents were never let off the hook. More importantly, they were never allowed to relax in a comfort zone. So, we had the Kiwis floundering against the none-too-dangerous off-spin of Suresh Raina in Chennai.

In a country where “horses-for-courses” is still by far an alien concept and where television commentators and sports editors of television channels lend their own bias to team selection, Badrinath is probably destined to be a Godfather-less orphan. His earlier chances came as a result of injuries to senior players and sadly for Badri, that remains his only chance even today. Of course, with the new selection committee slated to take over soon, maybe Badrinath’s luck may change too.

Olympics Tennis : Federer, Venus shocked in their Quarter Finals Match

Roger Federer's disappointing season continued as his hopes of winning Olympic gold in the men's singles were ended by an inspired James Blake. The American had not beaten the top seed in eight previous attempts but comfortably outplayed the world number one for a 6-4 7-6 quarter-final win. The crowd was shocked to silence when Blake deservedly broke in the 10th game to take the first set. He then held his nerve in the second set tie-break to progress.

Federer, who will lose his world number one ranking to Rafael Nadal on Monday, made a number of unforced errors and will need a dramatic reversal in fortunes if he is to successfully defend his US Open title later this month. Blake, the world number seven, had won only one set in his previous matches against Federer, but he unnerved the five-time Wimbledon champion with a near faultless service game and aggressive forehand. "I always believed in myself," said Blake. "I'd lost to him eight, nine, 10, 50 times, I don't know how many, but I had the feeling it could be my day. "He didn't play a good first game and that put me up straight away. I played loose and free and I always fancy my chances on the 5-4 game. "I know I can beat the best in the world on my day and I proved it." Federer will compete in the men's doubles later on Thursday. The 28-year-old broke Federer when the Swiss was serving to stay in the first set and then broke again early in the second to take a 3-0 lead.
Federer, who was struggling with his serve and forehand, broke back in the fifth game to take the set to a tie-break only for Blake to win it after racing into a 4-1 lead. Federer could still win his first Olympic medal. He is scheduled to play with Stanislas Wawrinka in the men's doubles quarter-finals later on Thursday.

In an another match US player Venus Williams was given a shock by chinese player Li Na defeating her in straight sets. Venus started in a great style 3-0 but lost the next 3 games in the first set and went on to lose the first set. Then Li Na broke the first game of Venus in the 2nd set. Later the Chinese player went on to win the match convinsingly over Venus.

Hamilton takes pole in Hungarian GP

Lewis Hamilton boosted his chances of claiming a third successive race victory by capturing pole in Hungary.
The McLaren driver clocked one minute 20.899 seconds to secure his fourth pole of the season as team-mate Heikki Kovalainen joined him on the front row. Felipe Massa led Ferrari's challenge and will start in third while team-mate Kimi Raikkonen could only manage sixth. Massa lines up alongside BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica with Toyota's Timo Glock sharing the fourth row with Raikkonen. Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed seventh spot ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber, with Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Renault's Nelson Piquet completing the top 10. After dominating the practice sessions at the Hungaroring, Hamilton's pole had an air of inevitability about it. The only variable under Budapest's clear skies was the scorching temperature, with the trackside thermometer reaching 42C and forcing all the teams to make a choice about their tyre selection. Warm conditions mean tyres are more susceptible to graining where tiny pieces of rubber are torn off or distorted affecting the tyre's grip. Hamilton opted for the harder tyres and effortlessly converted his practice pace into the 10th pole of his career.

Kumble Leads from the Front against Srilankan Board President IX

Captain Anil Kumble picked up three wickets while Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan claimed two each as India bowled out a Sri Lanka Board XI for 224 on the first day of their three-day warm-up match in Colombo. Sri Lanka Board XI opted to bat first but Zaheer, back in the team after missing the recent triangular series in Dhaka and the Asia Cup in Pakistan with an ankle injury, produced a couple of blows that left the hosts reeling at 22 for three.
Thilina Kandamby (84) and Chamara Silva (68) then rallied for the hosts and managed to put on 100 runs in a fifth-wicket stand as the Indian bowlers were made to sweat. The partnership added respectability to the score, but tourists' attack eventually prevailed. India came into the match with three months of Twenty20 and one-day cricket behind them and it would be their only opportunity to prepare for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, the first of which starts in Colombo on July 23.
Kumble had backed his bowlers to take control of the game and he will have been especially satisfied with the economic efforts of Zaheer. His 12 overs yielded just 35 runs and he dealt Chamara Kapugedera's Test chances a blow when he snared him for just one run. Ishant Sharma conceded 36 runs in his 11 overs, but he had the wicket of opener Mahela Udawatte for seven, while India's third seamer Munaf Patel (one for 29) also got in the act. Harbhajan was another bowler proving to be a handful, while Kumble himself produced the best figures of the day with three for 30.
Dinesh Karthik, who came into the India team after Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted out of the tour due to fatigue, was tidy behind the stumps taking three catches. The only blemish for the Indians was the early dismissal of opener Gautam Gambhir (four) in their reply. Having got back into the Test team at the expense of regular opener Wasim Jaffer, Gambhir blew his first opportunity but is still likely to retain his place in the side for the first Test.
India were four for one at stumps.

Asif Banned by Pakistan Cricket Board

The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended bowler Mohammad Asif after he tested positive for a banned substance in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game. "In line with our anti-doping policy, we have suspended Mohammad Asif with immediate effect," said PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi. Asif has asked for his 'B' sample to be tested and is awaiting the results.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped the paceman from the list of probables for the Champions Trophy and, if the positive result is upheld, the 25-year-old could face a ban from future IPL seasons. Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB's chief operating officer, told reporters that Asif would not play for his country "until the matter is resolved". "He will have the right to appeal under the International Cricket Council's anti-doping regulations," he added. "The PCB will offer all the assistance to the IPL drugs tribunal and implement its findings." Only last month Asif, who played for the Delhi Daredevils during the lucrative Twenty20 tournament, was detained at Dubai airport on suspicion of carrying illegal drugs. He was held in Dubai for two weeks before returning to Pakistan after a decision was made not to press charges. "I am shocked and surprised because I was extra cautious and never used any banned substances," said Asif.
In a statement issued on Monday, IPL committee said: "The Indian Premier League confirms the player in violation is Mohammad Asif. "It was also checked if Mr Mohammad Asif had applied for and was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). It was found that Mr Mohammad Asif had not applied for a TUE. "A note in writing has been sent to the player and his home board and to the franchisee on the findings." The news that Asif has tested positive for a banned substance is the latest in a series of controversial incidents that the player has been involved in.

In 2006, both Asif and fellow Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar were found to have taken the banned steroid Nandrolone after failing internal Pakistani Cricket Board drug tests.
The pair were banned for one and two years respectively, before the ruling was overturned on appeal. In 2007 Asif was involved in a dressing-room altercation, during which he was struck with a bat by Shoaib, who was later sent home from the World Twenty20 tournament. And 2008 has seen him involved in two separate drug offences.

Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic win Wimbeldon Doubles title

Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic won their first Grand Slam title as a pair as they beat Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett in the men's doubles final. The second seeds' serving proved decisive as they only conceded one break point in the entire match. By contrast their opponents, especially Bjorkman at times, struggled with their serve and the second seeds sealed a 7-6 (12-10) 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-2 victory.
It was a Wimbledon farewell for Bjorkman, who is retiring this year. It was the 129th match the Swede had played at Wimbledon - 95 of which had ended in victories. Zimonjic took part in the final despite breaking a bone in his left wrist during Thursday's semi-final victory over Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy.

Its Again Nadal - Federer finals at Wimbeldon

Rafael Nadal will meet world number one Roger Federer in Sunday's Wimbledon final after seeing off Rainer Schuettler 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-4. A humiliation seemed on the cards when Nadal wrapped up the first set against the unseeded German in just 23 minutes. But Schuettler hit back impressively, breaking the formidable Spaniard's serve in game three of the second set.
Nadal stepped up a gear to break back at 5-3 before taking it on a tie-break and one break was enough in the third "Today wasn't my best match but I won in three sets and that's very important. I'm very confident for the final - but I know I'll face the best player in the world so I'll have to play very well to have a chance.
Nadal's astonishing form on grass has led many to tip him to end Federer's domination at Wimbledon. But the Spaniard, despite making a perfect start, was not at his absolute best on Friday. Schuettler came into his first semi-final at Wimbledon just a day after completing an epic five-hour win over Arnaud Clement. It was hardly the best preparation for facing the world number two and not surprisingly the 32-year-old made a slow start, a huge mistake against Nadal. Schuettler served first and was quickly 0-40 down and though he delivered an ace on the first break point, there was no stopping Nadal.
His domination left the crowd fearing an embarrassingly one-sided encounter but Schuettler at least played his part in an entertaining second set. The German, an Australian Open finalist in 2003, earned his first two break points at 1-1 and snatched the second when he chased down a drop shot and whipped it back past a stranded Nadal. It was gutsy from Schuettler but Nadal's level had dropped below the dizzy heights he had hit in his quarter-final against Andy Murray. The Spaniard picked it up again when it counted, taking advantage of a tentative Schuettler at 5-3 before coming through the tie-break with ease. And once Nadal had broken to take a 2-1 lead, there was no way back for Schuettler. The French Open champion was held up briefly when he squandered a 0-40 lead and three match points at 5-3 but raced through his final service game to seal victory in just over two hours.

Top 5 ODI Partnerships

ODI PARTNERSHIP RECORDS

• SR Tendulkar, R Dravid: 331 (for India v NZ, Hyderabad, 1999)
• SC Ganguly, R Dravid: 318 (India v Sri Lanka, Taunton, 1999)
• WU Tharanga, ST Jayasuriya: 286 (Sri Lanka v England, Leeds, '06)
• M Azharuddin, A Jadeja: 275 (India v Zimbabwe, Cuttack, '98)
• JAH Marshall, BB McCullum: 266 (NZ v Ireland, Aberdeen 2008)

New Zealand broke into record books against Ireland

New Zealand made a 400-plus score for the first time in one-day cricket as they thrashed Ireland by 290 runs in one of the most one-sided matches ever. Brendon McCullum (166) was at one point on course for the first double-ton in ODIs as he and James Marshall (161) added 274 for the first wicket. That shattered New Zealand's previous best for a partnership in one-dayers. Ireland, needing 403, were bowled out for 112 for the biggest loss ever by a side chasing in one-day internationals.

McCullum, having hit 10 sixes and 11 fours, holed out attempting one shot too many, but the carnage continued over the closing overs through Marshall and Ross Taylor, who hit 59 from 24 balls. New Zealand finished with 402-2, the sixth best score ever in ODIs. But Ireland's chase went reasonably well until the fifth over when the first wicket fell with the score on 29. Tim Southee and Michael Mason struck regularly from then on, and only some brave hitting from number 10 Peter Connell (22 not out) prevented an even more embarrassing result.

Chelsea has signed deco for 7.9 million pounds

Chelsea have signed Portugal midfielder Deco from Spanish giants Barcelona on a two-year deal for a fee of about £8m. The 30-year-old was recently told by Barca's new coach Pep Guardiola that he did not feature in their future plans. "It is good for me to be here and first of all I am very happy to be here," Deco told Chelsea's official website. Deco becomes the Blues' first signing since Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed manager earlier this month.
However, his signing is Chelsea's second of the summer after international team-mate Jose Bosingwa. Brazil-born Deco joined Barcelona from Porto in 2004 after helping the Portuguese side win the Uefa Cup, Champions League and domestic league titles under former Chelsea boss
mickmcmillan.

He won two league championships with the Catalan giants, and was part of the team that beat Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris in 2006. However, a series of injuries hampered him during the 2007-08 season, and he made just 14 starts in Barcelona's La Liga campaign.
"I am sure I have come at the right time to do great things and be able to help Chelsea go back to the way it was and come back to being the first one, not only in England but also to win the Champions League that has been their dream for so long," added Deco. "The Premier League is a great league and it is getting better and you can see that with the Champions League final, where you had two English teams." Deco's arrival significantly boosts a midfield line-up already featuring the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Jon Mikel Obi and Claude Makelele. Deco's arrival looks like hastening the departure of Frank Lampard.
"A two-year deal suggests he is not a long-term building block. He will be 31 in August but his winners' pedigree, Champions League triumphs with Barcelona and Porto will balance recent fears about fitness and consistency," said Legard. And Legard believes Deco's arrival makes Lampard's possible exit to Inter Milan even more likely. "Deco's arrival looks like hastening the departure of Frank Lampard, who has done little to quell long-term speculation that he is bound for a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. "Barring a last-minute change of heart on both sides it's a question of when he signs in Italy, not if."

Zimbabwe getting support from India and Pakistan to stay in the ICC member panel.

Support for Zimbabwe appears to be growing in the sub-continent ahead of this week's International Cricket Council meeting in दुबई (Dubai)। The England and Wales Cricket Board has already stated it will not host a tour by Zimbabwe next year। And Cricket South Africa has also cut its ties with Zimbabwe because of the political situation in the country। But India and Pakistan have indicated they will not support any move to expel Zimbabwe from the ICC. "There is no reason to remove Zimbabwe," said Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. "We understand England's position because their government wants Zimbabwe out but we will back Zimbabwe to stay in the ICC."
The Pakistan Cricket Board, meanwhile, has made it clear that it will send its A team on a tour to Zimbabwe in August as scheduled, irrespective of any action taken by the ICC, who have a board meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. And the Press Trust of India has quoted a PCB spokesman as saying: "We don't think Zimbabwe cricket should face penalties because of political issues in that country. We will not support any sanctions." Seven of the 10 full ICC members would have to vote in favour of expulsion for such a proposal to go through - and Zimbabwe itself is one of the 10.
If India and Pakistan line up alongside them, it would only require one more vote in Zimbabwe's favour for the proposal to be defeated. If, however, Zimbabwe Cricket retains its full member status, England's hopes of hosting next year's ICC World Twenty20 tournament could be put in jeopardy. Although the ICC would not take punitive action against the ECB for preventing Zimbabwe touring in the light of a formal government instruction, refusal to allow a full member to take part in the World Twenty20 could result in the tournament being moved elsewhere.
Such a move would be a huge financial blow to the ECB, with huge crowds expected at the three grounds chosen to host matches. The tournament schedule has already been published and tickets went on sale at 1000 BST on Monday. The UK government will reassess the situation if the ICC insists that Zimbabwe play in the World Twenty20 but is holding a firm line in its calls for a boycott because of the close links between Zimbabwe Cricket and the regime of president Robert Mugabe.

Spain is the EURO 2008 Champion ; Torres made it possible with the golden goal at the 33rd minute in 1st half

Spain ended 44 years of major tournament pain and underachievement with a 1-0 win over Germany to claim the Euro 2008 title in Vienna this morning. A sharply taken goal from big match player Fernando Torres was enough to banish Spain's unwanted tag of football's perennial underachievers to the history books. The Liverpool striker wrestled his way past German left back Philipp Lahm to meet a fine through ball from Xavi before cleverly clipping the ball over keeper Jens Lehmann and into the net 12 minutes before half-time. Germany tried valiantly to produce an equaliser to match their success in Euro 1996 but failed to engineer a clear cut attempt on goal while Spain consistently pressured its opponents down the other end.
The victory gives Spain its first major trophy since victory at the 1964 European Championships and completes an undefeated run in Austria and Switzerland. For 69-year-old Spanish coach Luis Aragones there was a tinge of bitterness mixed with the moment of glory. "We did things well, we won, period. I will not be staying on as coach because I have been given no possibility to," said Aragones. For Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas it was a dream come true. "This is great," said the 21-year-old Arsenal star. "This is the best day of my life as a player. "I don't think we are conscious yet of what we have achieved....44 years later. "We were trying to create chances and play beautiful football and we have at last had the success we deserved. "I don't know why it has taken this long and I don't want to think about that anymore as we have achieved it and we are a young team and will fight for the World Cup in two years time." For Torres too it was a dream realised.
"For me, it's a dream come true," said Torres. "Victory in a Euro, is almost as big as a World Cup. I think that we have played very good football throughout the tournament and it was justice done when we won the final."
They seemed to start tentatively and a mistake from Sergio Ramos gave Miroslav Klose a glorious opportunity after just four minutes, but after taking the ball past Carles Puyol his next touch was too strong and he ran the ball out of play. Spain gradually started to settle and just before the quarter-hour mark Lehmann came to Germany's rescue as a cross from Andres Iniesta deflected off Christoph Metzelder's boot and only a stunning reaction save from the Arsenal stopper prevented a goal. On 23 minutes Sergio Ramos cut in from the right and crossed to the back post where Torres climbed above the considerably taller Per Mertersacker; his downward header beat Lehmann but unfortunately for Spain not the base of the post.
Up the other end Spain's slightly suspect defence was struggling to cope with the direct running of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski but Germany created little. Following Torres' piece of brilliance to open the scoring, Spain were suddenly rampant and were brimming with confidence at the start of the second period. Germany coach Joachim Loew responded by sending on a second forward in Kevin Kuranyi to replace midfielder Hitzlsperger.
That immediately shifted the momentum of the game and on the hour a mistake from Puyol was almost punished as Ballack fired just wide; moments later Casillas came storming out of goal to take a cross from Ballack off Kuranyi's head. Spain remained dangerous and Sergio Ramos forced Lehmann into a fine block with a powerful header from a Xavi free-kick before Torsten Frings cleared a shot from Iniesta off the line. Brazil-born Marcos Senna came within inches of settling the game in the final 10 minutes but he could not quite stretch his leg out far enough to meet substitute Daniel Guiza's downward header with the goal at his mercy. German coach Joachim Loew professed his admiration for his side, who defied expectations to reach the final. "I have to compliment the team for what they have achieved over the past few weeks," said the 48-year-old.
"It has been fantastic. The players are obviously disappointed, but they have every reason to hold their heads up high." For German captain Michael Ballack it was more disappointment in a major tournament. "It is very sad to lose when one has come such a long way," said the 31-year-old, who missed the 2002 World Cup final because he was suspended and has also lost two Champions League finals. "All the team battled away. This tournament has come at the end of the season and physically it has been tough. However, today (Sunday) we have made too many errors."

Golden Boot - David Villa (4 Goals)

Man of the Match - Torres 33' Goal

Ballack may miss the EURO 2008 finals against Spain

Germany captain Michael Ballack is a doubt for Sunday's Euro 2008 final after missing training on Friday and Saturday because of a calf injury. The German Football Federation said the 31-year-old, who has scored two goals in the tournament, is having treatment. Spain will have to alter their line-up, with striker David Villa ruled out because of a thigh injury. That could mean a start for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a five-man midfield, with Fernando Torres the lone striker. Chelsea midfielder Ballack suffered the injury in training on Friday and will be desperate to play, having missed out on the 2002 World Cup final because of suspension. With the ex-Bayern Munich star not certain to start, Germany coach Joachim Low must now reconsider his options. He may be forced to recall midfielder Torsten Frings, who has declared himself fit after recovering from a broken rib, rather than having the luxury of keeping him on the bench.
Simon Rolfes, who suffered a cut eye in the semi-final against Turkey and would have made way for Frings, could now be retained in the starting line-up - though Low may instigate a greater reshuffle based upon tactics if talisman Ballack is missing. Should Spain coach Luis Aragones choose to go with the side and formation that eventually strolled past Russia 3-0 in Thursday's semi-final, that would mean a start for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a five-man midfield, with Liverpool player Fernando Torres the lone striker. I know how well he can perform," said Aragones, 69, who has had four stints in charge of Atletico Madrid, where he made his name as a player. "I like a player like Cesc, 20-years-old and someone who has acquired the experience of someone who's 27, 28. To us, he's important." The Spanish are full of confidence ahead of the final, having turned themselves from 'perennial underachievers' to - during the course of the tournament - many people's tip to win the final. Spain may not have won a major honour since 1964 - their victory in that year's European Championship their only title to date - but Liverpool striker Torres believes the side are equipped to go all the way this year. "This team is already making history but we can do even more," he stated.
Germany know how to win tournaments, they know how to play these games and we know we have be careful because they are the favourites. But we can win it too." However, Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has played down suggestions that his side are favourites and commented: "We have demonstrated what capabilities we possess but we should put Spain one step above us. "That said, this was the case against Portugal (in the quarter-final) as well and it doesn't have to be to our disadvantage." and the former striker, whose 'golden goal' against the Czech Republic gave Germany the European title in 1996, hinted Low's side would set out to be hard to break down rather than expansive in attack.
"Spain control the ball very well and they provide decisive passes," he added. "We will have to play very tightly, double-team a lot and keep the marking close." That philosophy was supported by Frings, who said: "We shouldn't let them into the game. We have to be aggressive, we have to step up even as they are receiving the ball. I don't think they like it when you are aggressive against them."

Ana Ivanovic crashed by 133rd Ranked Jie Zheng

World number one Ana Ivanovic was sent crashing out of Wimbledon in the third round by world number 133 Jie Zheng. Ivanovic, the top seed, had survived two match points in the second round against Nathalie Dechy but paid the price for another erratic display. The Serb struggled with her serve and her backhand was totally out of sorts. Zheng broke at will in the first set and, although Ivanovic fought to turn things round, she continued to make errors and was thumped 6-1 6-4. Ivanovic had been lucky to avoid defeat against Dechy, particularly when she saved one match point through a fortunate net-cord which crept over the net. But her lack of form was completely exposed by Zheng and she had to battle in the second set to avoid complete humiliation.
The 20-year-old, who won the French Open at the start of June to reach the top of the rankings for the first time, again looked tense on Number One Court and her poor serving reflected her fragile state. "I didn't play well," Ivanovic admitted afterwards. "But she plays very well on grass and I found it difficult adjusting to the timing of the ball. "She has very powerful shot. She stays very low, so the balls are coming much faster through the air. "And she was reading my serves very well. Even when I tried to kick it and bounce the ball high, she was still there on the ball." "It was tough, I tried to hit my shots higher and get under the ball to play with speed but I was making too many mis-hits." Zheng, who won the doubles title here in 2006 but missed the whole of the 2007 season because of an ankle injury, admitted she did not expect to win so easily.
"It was a surprise," Zheng said. "I believed I could win but I didn't think it would be in two sets, I though it would be tough and in three. "When I got ahead, I just tried to keep going. I told myself she is a better player I had to be at the top of my game. "She has a big serve and a big forehand but I tried to go for her backhand. She also served only so-so at first and it gave me a chance to play aggressively." Ivanovic started slowly and the first sign she was in trouble came as early as her second service came when a double fault saw her broken for the first time. She had the opportunity to quickly break back but her game was already proving far too inconsistent to take advantage of the few opportunities Zheng was giving her. And, soon after wasting the opportunity to reduce the deficit to 2-3, she quickly found herself 1-5 down after some big Zheng forehands ripped her serve to shreds.
Again, she had opportunities to reply but wasted four break points in the next game before Zheng wrapped up the set. Ivanovic's struggles continued and she was broken again at the start of the second set with Zheng again dominant. The Chinese player dropped her own serve immediately afterwards to give Ivanovic hope at 2-2. But it soon became clear that another remarkable comeback from the 2007 semi-finalist was not on the cards as more double faults landed her back in trouble. Zheng had wobbled before despatching Britain's Elena Baltacha in round two but showed no nerves on this occasion, serving out for a stunning victory.
I didn't have too much time to practice and to do all these little specific movements and things you need to in order to adjust to the grass .
She will face Hungarian 15th seed Agnes Szavay on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals. Ivanovic's exit, together with that of third seed Maria Sharapova on Thursday evening, leaves the women's draw wide open. She put her poor performance at the All England Club down to her failure to work hard enough on adjusting from clay to grass. "After winning the French Open, I had a very emotional two weeks," Ivanovic explained. "With my coaches, we cut down practice so I could recover and spend more time with myself. Next year I'll have to spend more time on court. "I had to have some time off, so I didn't have too much time to practice and to do all these little specific movements and things you need to in order to adjust to the grass.
"From the first match on, I tried to find my game, but I felt like I was struggling a little bit. "It took time to adjust to the grass because, especially after clay, it's a completely different game."