The Mosconi Cup returns this week with Las Vegas hosting the prestigious tournament. Johnny Archer, Shane Van Boening, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam and Mike Dechaine are representing Team USA. Ralf Souquet, Niels Feijen, Darren Appleton, Nick Van Den Berg and Chris Melling are representing Team Europe.
The opening match of the night saw the two teams battle it out with each player playing one rack at a time. The match was level at 2-2 with both veteran players, Johnny Archer and Ralf Souquet, winning their racks. Europe were able to take a 4-2 lead in a race to six racks, the first time a rack difference larger than one was achieved. Rack ten was between the debutants, Chris Melling and Mike Dechaine, Melling won the rack to win the match 6-3 giving Europe the first point of the tournament.
Chris Melling stayed at the table as he and Nick Van Den Berg took on Johnny Archer and Shawn Putnam. The match went with break until Archer scratched to allow Europe to take a 3-1 lead. But Van Den Berg made an illegal shot in the fifth rack which helped USA to go onto level the match at 3-3. Melling then forced Van Den Berg into a foul to let USA take the lead for the first time in the tournament. This gave the USA momentum to go onto win the match 6-3 and tie the score at 1-1.
The first singles match of the tournament saw Niels Feijen take on Rodney Morris. Morris missed a chip shot to allow Feijen to take the opening rack before taking a 2-0 lead. For some reason Morris couldn't come back and Feijen administered the first 6-0 whitewash of the tournament, Europe lead 2-1.
The penaultimate match of the night saw Shane Van Boening and Mike Dechaine take on Ralf Souquet and Darren Appleton. Souquet played a poor safety shot in the second rack and Dechaine made a 5-9 combination shot to lead 2-0, Dechaine then made four balls off the break to help extend the lead further. It got worse as Souquet scratched off the next break and USA took a 4-0 lead.Van Boening returned the favour with a scratch of his own off the break to allow Europe to pull a rack back. Appleton then made a great bank shot on the one ball in the sixth rack to make it 4-2. Dechaine missed the nine ball in the next rack, allowing Souquet to pull another rack back. Europe were able to draw level and were able to win 6-4 with the momentum in their court, Europe lead 3-1.
Shane Van Boening had to put his disappointment aside to play against Chris Melling in the final match of the session. Van Boening stormed into a 3-0 lead before Melling posted a score on the board. Melling was also then able to level the score and Van Boening was dry off the break in the seventh rack but he was able to get back to the table and regain his lead. He was able to take the lead but Van Boening took it to 5-5 but Melling won the final rack to give Europe a 4-1 lead on day one.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
2011/2012 CL Round-Up: Matchday 6 Groups A-D
Group A: Manchester City did what needed to do, but it wasn't enough to see them progress. David Silva put City ahead against an under strength Bayern Munich side eight minutes before half-time. Yaya Toure gave City the victory seven minutes into the second half but it turned out not be enough and City will now play in the Europa League.
Napoli take City's place in the knock-out phase with a 2-0 win over pointless Villarreal. Gokhan Inler put Napoli ahead after 65 with Marek Hamsik securing Napoli's second round place twelve minutes later. Table:
Bayern Munich 13
Napoli 11
Manchester City 10
Villarreal 0
Group B: Lille and Trabzonspor played out a 0-0 draw to see the French side out of contention for progression. For Trabzonspor to qualify, they had to hope Inter Milan didn't lose to CSKA Moscow in the San Siro. Seydou Doumbia put the visitors ahead five minutes into the second half before Esteban Cambiasso equalised a minute later. But Vasili Berezutskiy gave CSKA the win and their place in the next round three minutes from the end. Table:
Inter Milan 10
CSKA Moscow 8
Trabzonspor 7
Lille 6
Group C: Manchester United failed to do what they needed to avoid Europa League football and it may cost them dear. Marko Streller put Basle ahead after just nine minutes and with United only requiring a draw, Alexander Frei made it 2-0 with six minutes left. Phil Jones did pull a goal back five minutes later but it was too little too late for United. Worse news for them is that Nemanja Vidic looks to have suffered a dislocated knee.
Benfica confirmed top spot with a win over Otelul Galati. Oscar Cardozo scored the only goal of the game after seven minutes to make Galati finish with no points in their début campaign. Table:
Benfica 12
FC Basle 11
Manchester Untied 9
Otelul Galati 0
Group D: Lyon needed a seven goal swing to progress, and they somehow managed it with a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb. Jerko Leko received his second yellow card after just 28 minutes but Mateo Kovacic put them ahead four minutes before half-time. Bafetimbi Gomis equalised just before half-time before Maxime Gonalons put Lyon ahead two minutes after the restart. Gomis made it 3-1 two minutes later before scoring his third just seven minutes into the second half. Lisandro Lopez came off the bench to make it 5-1 after 64 minutes with Gomis scoring his fourth six minutes later. Jimmy Briand finished off the rout with fifteen minutes remaining.
This meant Lyon only required Real Madrid to beat Ajax 1-0 for the French side to progress. Jose Callejon put Madrid ahead after thirteen minutes. Gonzalo Higuain made it 2-0 four minutes before half-time before Callejon finished their 100% group campaign in second half injury time. Table:
Real Madrid 18
Olympique Lyonnais 8
Ajax 8
Dinamo Zagreb 0
Napoli take City's place in the knock-out phase with a 2-0 win over pointless Villarreal. Gokhan Inler put Napoli ahead after 65 with Marek Hamsik securing Napoli's second round place twelve minutes later. Table:
Bayern Munich 13
Napoli 11
Manchester City 10
Villarreal 0
Group B: Lille and Trabzonspor played out a 0-0 draw to see the French side out of contention for progression. For Trabzonspor to qualify, they had to hope Inter Milan didn't lose to CSKA Moscow in the San Siro. Seydou Doumbia put the visitors ahead five minutes into the second half before Esteban Cambiasso equalised a minute later. But Vasili Berezutskiy gave CSKA the win and their place in the next round three minutes from the end. Table:
Inter Milan 10
CSKA Moscow 8
Trabzonspor 7
Lille 6
Group C: Manchester United failed to do what they needed to avoid Europa League football and it may cost them dear. Marko Streller put Basle ahead after just nine minutes and with United only requiring a draw, Alexander Frei made it 2-0 with six minutes left. Phil Jones did pull a goal back five minutes later but it was too little too late for United. Worse news for them is that Nemanja Vidic looks to have suffered a dislocated knee.
Benfica confirmed top spot with a win over Otelul Galati. Oscar Cardozo scored the only goal of the game after seven minutes to make Galati finish with no points in their début campaign. Table:
Benfica 12
FC Basle 11
Manchester Untied 9
Otelul Galati 0
Group D: Lyon needed a seven goal swing to progress, and they somehow managed it with a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb. Jerko Leko received his second yellow card after just 28 minutes but Mateo Kovacic put them ahead four minutes before half-time. Bafetimbi Gomis equalised just before half-time before Maxime Gonalons put Lyon ahead two minutes after the restart. Gomis made it 3-1 two minutes later before scoring his third just seven minutes into the second half. Lisandro Lopez came off the bench to make it 5-1 after 64 minutes with Gomis scoring his fourth six minutes later. Jimmy Briand finished off the rout with fifteen minutes remaining.
This meant Lyon only required Real Madrid to beat Ajax 1-0 for the French side to progress. Jose Callejon put Madrid ahead after thirteen minutes. Gonzalo Higuain made it 2-0 four minutes before half-time before Callejon finished their 100% group campaign in second half injury time. Table:
Real Madrid 18
Olympique Lyonnais 8
Ajax 8
Dinamo Zagreb 0
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
2011/2012 CL Round-UP: Matchday 6 Groups E-H
Group E: Bayer Leverkuesen secured their place by picking up a point against Genk. The Belgian hosts took the lead through Jelle Vossen on the half hour mark. Eren Derdiyok rescued the point eleven minutes from time to see the German side progress.
Chelsea did what they had to do and have ended up winning the group. Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead at home to Valencia after just three minutes. Ramires made it 2-0 after 22 minutes before Drogba added his second and Chelsea's third fourteen minutes from the end. Table:
Chelsea 11
Bayer Leverkuesen 10
Valencia 8
Genk 3
Group F: As Arsenal were already guaranteed top spot, Arsene Wenger decided to play his 'Carling Cup' side against Olympiacos. It backfired however and the Greek hosts took the lead with Rafik Djebbour scoring after sixteen minutes. David Fuster doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time before Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back twelve minutes after the restart. Francois Modesto secured the win in the final minutes of normal time to give Olympiacos Europa League football.
Marseille came from 2-0 down to secure second in the group against Borussia Dortmund. The German hosts took the lead through Jakub Blaszczykowski after 23 minutes before Mats Hummels made it 2-0 from the penalty spot nine minutes later. Loic Remy made it 2-1 right on half-time before Andre Ayew equalised with five minutes remaining. Substitute Mathieu Valbuena then stole the points two minutes later to secure progression. Table:
Arsenal 11
Olympique Marseille 10
Olympiacos 9
Borussia Dortmund 4
Group G: Zenit secured a point that ensured their progression at Porto's expense.The game between the two of them finished goalless. Apoel Nicosia win the group despite losing 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk. Adriano broke the deadlock after 62 minutes with substitute Yevgen Seleznev winning it twelve minutes from time. Table:
Apoel Nicosia 9
Zenit St Petersburg 9
FC Porto 8
Shakhtar Donetsk 5
Group H: With the group already settled, Barcelona still cruised past BATE to win the group. Sergi Roberto opened the scoring for Barca ten minutes before half-time. Martin Montoya made it 2-0 on the hour before Pedro added a third three minutes later and then a fourth from the spot in the final minute.
Plzen secured Europa League football with a surprise point against AC Milan. Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead two minutes into the second half with Robinho doubling their lead a minute later. But Plzen pulled a goal back through David Bystron in the final minute before substitute Michal Duris equalised in injury time. Table:
Barcelona 16
AC Milan 9
Viktoria Plzen 5
BATE Borisov 2
Chelsea did what they had to do and have ended up winning the group. Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead at home to Valencia after just three minutes. Ramires made it 2-0 after 22 minutes before Drogba added his second and Chelsea's third fourteen minutes from the end. Table:
Chelsea 11
Bayer Leverkuesen 10
Valencia 8
Genk 3
Group F: As Arsenal were already guaranteed top spot, Arsene Wenger decided to play his 'Carling Cup' side against Olympiacos. It backfired however and the Greek hosts took the lead with Rafik Djebbour scoring after sixteen minutes. David Fuster doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time before Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back twelve minutes after the restart. Francois Modesto secured the win in the final minutes of normal time to give Olympiacos Europa League football.
Marseille came from 2-0 down to secure second in the group against Borussia Dortmund. The German hosts took the lead through Jakub Blaszczykowski after 23 minutes before Mats Hummels made it 2-0 from the penalty spot nine minutes later. Loic Remy made it 2-1 right on half-time before Andre Ayew equalised with five minutes remaining. Substitute Mathieu Valbuena then stole the points two minutes later to secure progression. Table:
Arsenal 11
Olympique Marseille 10
Olympiacos 9
Borussia Dortmund 4
Group G: Zenit secured a point that ensured their progression at Porto's expense.The game between the two of them finished goalless. Apoel Nicosia win the group despite losing 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk. Adriano broke the deadlock after 62 minutes with substitute Yevgen Seleznev winning it twelve minutes from time. Table:
Apoel Nicosia 9
Zenit St Petersburg 9
FC Porto 8
Shakhtar Donetsk 5
Group H: With the group already settled, Barcelona still cruised past BATE to win the group. Sergi Roberto opened the scoring for Barca ten minutes before half-time. Martin Montoya made it 2-0 on the hour before Pedro added a third three minutes later and then a fourth from the spot in the final minute.
Plzen secured Europa League football with a surprise point against AC Milan. Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead two minutes into the second half with Robinho doubling their lead a minute later. But Plzen pulled a goal back through David Bystron in the final minute before substitute Michal Duris equalised in injury time. Table:
Barcelona 16
AC Milan 9
Viktoria Plzen 5
BATE Borisov 2
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
PL Round-Up: 4-5/12/11
Everton 0-1 Stoke: Stoke end their European hoodoo to move ahead of Everton. Robert Huth scored the only goal of the game after fifteen minutes to move two points ahead, although Everton do have a game in hand.
Wolves 2-1 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill watched his new side let a lead slip in the final seventeen minutes. Kieran Richardson put the hosts ahead seven minutes into the second half. Steven Fletcher equalised after 73 minutes before stealing the three points with nine minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Monday Night Football returned as Liverpool suffered a tough night in the Capital. Jay Spearing received a straight red for a studs showing tackle with eighteen minutes left. Fulham took full advantage with Clint Dempsey tapping home a Pepe Reina mistake into the empty net with five minutes left. The talking point surrounds yet another FA inquiry regarding Luis Suarez, who gave a one fingered salute to the Fulham fans for calling him a cheat.
Wolves 2-1 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill watched his new side let a lead slip in the final seventeen minutes. Kieran Richardson put the hosts ahead seven minutes into the second half. Steven Fletcher equalised after 73 minutes before stealing the three points with nine minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Monday Night Football returned as Liverpool suffered a tough night in the Capital. Jay Spearing received a straight red for a studs showing tackle with eighteen minutes left. Fulham took full advantage with Clint Dempsey tapping home a Pepe Reina mistake into the empty net with five minutes left. The talking point surrounds yet another FA inquiry regarding Luis Suarez, who gave a one fingered salute to the Fulham fans for calling him a cheat.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Manchester Derby Highlights 3rd Round Draw
The FA Cup Third Round draw:
Manchester City v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Dagenham & Redbridge/Walsall v Millwall
Crawley Town v Bristol City
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham United
Milton Keynes Dons v Queens Park Rangers
Hull City v Ipswich Town
Coventry City v Southampton
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wrexham
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City v Burnley
Arsenal v Leeds United
Derby County v Crystal Palace
Fleetwood Town/Yeovil Town v Blackpool
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic
Barnsley v Swansea City
Chelmsford/Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Everton v Tamworth
Sheffield United v Salisbury/Grimsby Town
Liverpool v Southend United/Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Watford v Bradford City
Peterborough United v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Reading v Stevenage Borough
Manchester City v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Dagenham & Redbridge/Walsall v Millwall
Crawley Town v Bristol City
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham United
Milton Keynes Dons v Queens Park Rangers
Hull City v Ipswich Town
Coventry City v Southampton
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wrexham
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City v Burnley
Arsenal v Leeds United
Derby County v Crystal Palace
Fleetwood Town/Yeovil Town v Blackpool
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic
Barnsley v Swansea City
Chelmsford/Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Everton v Tamworth
Sheffield United v Salisbury/Grimsby Town
Liverpool v Southend United/Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Watford v Bradford City
Peterborough United v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Reading v Stevenage Borough
PL Round-Up: 3/12/11
Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea: A scoreline that flattered Chelsea somewhat. Chelsea could have down to ten men when David Luiz brought Demba Ba down in a possible goal scoring opportunity after four minutes, but only received a yellow card. Chelsea then missed a penalty after thirteen minutes, Tim Krul saving Lampard's effort onto the post. They finally took the lead seven minutes before half-time when Didier Drogba headed past Krul. Newcastle fought hard in the second half, hitting the woodwork twice and John Terry blocked a Sammy Ameobi shot off the line. But all of Newcastle's hard work was for nothing as substitute Salomon Kalou made it 2-0 in the final minute with Daniel Sturridge adding the third a minute later.
QPR 1-1 West Brom: Heidar Helguson gave QPR the lead after twenty minutes before Shane Long earned a point nine minutes from time.
Wigan 0-4 Arsenal: Arsenal continued their fantastic recent form with a thrashing against sorry Wigan. Mikel Arteta broke the deadlock after 28 minutes with Thomas Vermaelen heading a second just a minute later. Gervinho made it three just after the hour mark before Robin Van Persie continued his unbelievable scoring record twelve minutes from time.
Blackburn 4-2 Swansea: The protests around Ewood Park didn't decrease despite the victory over Swansea. Yakubu gave the hosts the lead after twenty minutes before Leroy Lita equalised ten minutes before half-time. Yakubu made it 2-1 just before the break and then scored his sixth English League hat-trick twelve minutes after the restart. Luke Moore made it 3-2 after 66 minutes but Yakubu was on the score sheet again, this time from the spot with eight minutes remaining after Joe Allen brought substitute Simon Vukcevic down to earn a second yellow card.
Man City 5-1 Norwich: City continued their unbeaten run and extended their goal difference further. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Samir Nasri added a second six minutes into the second half with Yaya Toure making it three after 68 minutes. Steve Morison made it 3-1 nine minutes from time before Mario Balotelli shouldered the ball home to make it 4-1 with two minutes left. Adam Johnson rounded the match off in injury time.
Tottenham 3-0 Bolton: Spurs went temporarily second after Bolton received another contentious red card. Gareth Bale gave Tottenham the lead after seven minutes and Bolton were then reduced to ten men when Gary Cahill was sent off after just eighteen minutes. Spurs took full advantage with Aaron Lennon doubling their lead five minutes into the second half and Jermain Defoe adding the third on the hour mark.
Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United: Neither team really turned up for this tea time kick-off and despite United playing much better than in recent games, they still only had one clear cut chance on target. Phil Jones scored his senior goal after twenty minutes to ensure United held onto City's coattails.
QPR 1-1 West Brom: Heidar Helguson gave QPR the lead after twenty minutes before Shane Long earned a point nine minutes from time.
Wigan 0-4 Arsenal: Arsenal continued their fantastic recent form with a thrashing against sorry Wigan. Mikel Arteta broke the deadlock after 28 minutes with Thomas Vermaelen heading a second just a minute later. Gervinho made it three just after the hour mark before Robin Van Persie continued his unbelievable scoring record twelve minutes from time.
Blackburn 4-2 Swansea: The protests around Ewood Park didn't decrease despite the victory over Swansea. Yakubu gave the hosts the lead after twenty minutes before Leroy Lita equalised ten minutes before half-time. Yakubu made it 2-1 just before the break and then scored his sixth English League hat-trick twelve minutes after the restart. Luke Moore made it 3-2 after 66 minutes but Yakubu was on the score sheet again, this time from the spot with eight minutes remaining after Joe Allen brought substitute Simon Vukcevic down to earn a second yellow card.
Man City 5-1 Norwich: City continued their unbeaten run and extended their goal difference further. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Samir Nasri added a second six minutes into the second half with Yaya Toure making it three after 68 minutes. Steve Morison made it 3-1 nine minutes from time before Mario Balotelli shouldered the ball home to make it 4-1 with two minutes left. Adam Johnson rounded the match off in injury time.
Tottenham 3-0 Bolton: Spurs went temporarily second after Bolton received another contentious red card. Gareth Bale gave Tottenham the lead after seven minutes and Bolton were then reduced to ten men when Gary Cahill was sent off after just eighteen minutes. Spurs took full advantage with Aaron Lennon doubling their lead five minutes into the second half and Jermain Defoe adding the third on the hour mark.
Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United: Neither team really turned up for this tea time kick-off and despite United playing much better than in recent games, they still only had one clear cut chance on target. Phil Jones scored his senior goal after twenty minutes to ensure United held onto City's coattails.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Euro 2012 Draw
After half an hour, a draw that could have lasted for five minutes was completed and we now know who will face who in the group stage of the Euro 2012.
Group A: Hosts Poland have a good chance of progressing. Russia should win the group but it will be hotly contested as Greece and Czech Republic make up the group.
Group B: This is the group of death, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski are just a few of the big stars all in group B. Denmark also join Holland, Portugal and Germany. Portugal and Denmark were in the same qualification group and Denmark met Holland in their World Cup group last year.
Group C: Ireland have a tough job on their hands to get out of group C. World Champions Spain and Italy are likely to stand in their way but Croatia will also be tough for the Irish.
Group D: England should progress as they face hosts Ukraine. The biggest threat should be France as England already beat Sweden in a friendly last month. Although England haven't beaten Sweden in proper competition.
Group A: Hosts Poland have a good chance of progressing. Russia should win the group but it will be hotly contested as Greece and Czech Republic make up the group.
Group B: This is the group of death, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski are just a few of the big stars all in group B. Denmark also join Holland, Portugal and Germany. Portugal and Denmark were in the same qualification group and Denmark met Holland in their World Cup group last year.
Group C: Ireland have a tough job on their hands to get out of group C. World Champions Spain and Italy are likely to stand in their way but Croatia will also be tough for the Irish.
Group D: England should progress as they face hosts Ukraine. The biggest threat should be France as England already beat Sweden in a friendly last month. Although England haven't beaten Sweden in proper competition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)