Olympique Lyonnais v Apoel Nicosia
Napoli V Chelsea
AC Milan v Arsenal
FC Basel v Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Moscow Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
Olympique de Marseille v Inter Milan
Friday, 16 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
World Champion Stumbles Through, Semi-Finalist Out
With Christmas just around the corner, it could only mean one thing: the return of the World Darts Championships. The first match in the Alexandra Palace this campaign saw Jamie Caven take on veteran Roland Scholten. It was nervy start to the match by both players, Scholten took the first set 3-1 before Caven equalised with a whitewash. Scholten then won the crucial deciding leg in the third set which then motivated the Dutchman to take the final set 3-1 and progress..
The second match of the night was a preliminary match between Paul Barham and Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie with the winner playing Wayne Jones in the final match of the night. Barham finished second on the youth tour and held MacKenzie to 2-2 before the Hong Kong man found the crucial break to win the game 4-2.
The third match was a battle of Wales between Mark Webster and Richie Burnett. The biggest match of the night deserved to go all the way and it did. The first leg went to the decider and Burnett took it. Webster levelled the match by taking the second set 3-1 before Burnett again took the lead with a 3-1 set of his own. Burnett then had two darts to win the match but Webster managed to win the set 3-2 to set up a deciding set. The final set also went to 2-2 which left the players needing to win by two clear legs to progress. Webster ran out of doubles and the 1995 Lakeside Champion secured the shock result against last year's semi-finalist.
Defending World Champion Adrian Lewis stepped up in the penultimate match of the night against Nigel Heydon. All five legs went against the throw to give Nigel Heydon a surprise 1-0 lead over Lewis. The fairytale continued for Heydon as he held his throw and managed to break Lewis again to take the second set 3-1. But the clock was beginning to close to midnight and Lewis fought back to level the score at 2-2. Heydon wasn't beaten just yet however, the final set then went to tie-break in which Lewis stumbled through with a 5-3 victory in the extra period.
Scott MacKenzie returned to the oche to take on the World Number 13 Wayne Jones. The first set went to a decider but Jones took it to take an early lead. Jones continued his momentum forward to take the second set before MacKenzie fought back to 2-1 by winning the third set 3-1. But Jones didn't let it faze him the Wolverhampton Wanderer battled to take the fourth set to progress into the second round.
The second match of the night was a preliminary match between Paul Barham and Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie with the winner playing Wayne Jones in the final match of the night. Barham finished second on the youth tour and held MacKenzie to 2-2 before the Hong Kong man found the crucial break to win the game 4-2.
The third match was a battle of Wales between Mark Webster and Richie Burnett. The biggest match of the night deserved to go all the way and it did. The first leg went to the decider and Burnett took it. Webster levelled the match by taking the second set 3-1 before Burnett again took the lead with a 3-1 set of his own. Burnett then had two darts to win the match but Webster managed to win the set 3-2 to set up a deciding set. The final set also went to 2-2 which left the players needing to win by two clear legs to progress. Webster ran out of doubles and the 1995 Lakeside Champion secured the shock result against last year's semi-finalist.
Defending World Champion Adrian Lewis stepped up in the penultimate match of the night against Nigel Heydon. All five legs went against the throw to give Nigel Heydon a surprise 1-0 lead over Lewis. The fairytale continued for Heydon as he held his throw and managed to break Lewis again to take the second set 3-1. But the clock was beginning to close to midnight and Lewis fought back to level the score at 2-2. Heydon wasn't beaten just yet however, the final set then went to tie-break in which Lewis stumbled through with a 5-3 victory in the extra period.
Scott MacKenzie returned to the oche to take on the World Number 13 Wayne Jones. The first set went to a decider but Jones took it to take an early lead. Jones continued his momentum forward to take the second set before MacKenzie fought back to 2-1 by winning the third set 3-1. But Jones didn't let it faze him the Wolverhampton Wanderer battled to take the fourth set to progress into the second round.
Monday, 12 December 2011
O'Neill Starts Right, City and Spurs Beaten
With all seven of Saturday's games kicking off at three o'clock, it was good to see a Super Sunday double bill and the return of Monday Night Football. Sunday kicked off with Martin O'Neill taking charge of Sunderland for the first time. It didn't look like it would be a good start for O'Neill when Simon Vukcevic put Blackburn ahead after seventeen minutes. But David Vaughan came to Sunderland's rescue with an equaliser six minutes from time, Sebastian Larsson then secured O'Neill's début victory in injury time.
Tottenham's eleven match unbeaten run came to an end when they travelled to Stoke. Matthew Etherington put Stoke ahead after thirteen minutes before making it 2-0 two minutes before half-time. Emmanuel Adebayor pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after 62 minutes but Spurs couldn't find an equaliser. They played the remaining eight minutes with ten men as Younes Kaboul received a second yellow card.
Monday Night Football returned to see Manchester City's start to the season come to an end at Stamford Bridge. It wasn't looking likely as City came started the match in fine fashion, Mario Balotelli put them ahead after just two minutes. Chelsea somewhat held on until Daniel Sturridge found Raul Meireles with a cross to equalise eleven minutes before half-time. Gael Clichy then received his second yellow card thirteen minutes after the restart and Chelsea took full advantage. City should have been awarded a penalty early in the first half but were denied, Chelsea were awarded a penalty seven minutes from time when Joleon Lescott was adjudged to have hand balled a shot from Sturridge, Frank Lampard stepped up and converted the penalty to end the unbeaten run and put themselves third in the league.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Europe Retain the Mosconi Cup
Shane Van Boening spoilt the party yesterday with a 6-5 victory over Nick Van Den Berg and continued to delay it on the final day with another win over the Dutchman. The two locked together at 2-2 before a poor push out allowed Van Boening to take a 3-2 against the break and the South Dakota Kid took the match 6-2 to reduce the overall score to 10-6.
Last year's MVP, Darren Appleton, was the second man to try and retain the Mosconi Cup for Europe. His opponent was the veteran Johnny Archer and The Scorpion really took the game to Appleton. Archer secured the second golden break of the tournament to take a 4-1 lead.Appleton couldn't reduce the arrears and Archer won 6-3 to make it 10-7 overall.
The third man to attempt to take the Mosconi Cup back home was Niels Feijen as he took on Rodney Morris. The two were also locked at 2-2 before Feijen picked up a crucial break to lead 4-2. Morris then missed the 5-Ball in the seventh rack to possibly put the final nail into USA's coffin. Feijen looked to have offered a lifeline by breaking dry and Morris made it 5-3. Morris again had an opportunity from his break but he committed pooling suicide to hand the Mosconi Cup to Europe for the fourth time in five years. Final score 11-7 Europe. The other accolade saw Niels Feijen deservedly pick up this year's MVP award for his invaluable efforts this week.
Last year's MVP, Darren Appleton, was the second man to try and retain the Mosconi Cup for Europe. His opponent was the veteran Johnny Archer and The Scorpion really took the game to Appleton. Archer secured the second golden break of the tournament to take a 4-1 lead.Appleton couldn't reduce the arrears and Archer won 6-3 to make it 10-7 overall.
The third man to attempt to take the Mosconi Cup back home was Niels Feijen as he took on Rodney Morris. The two were also locked at 2-2 before Feijen picked up a crucial break to lead 4-2. Morris then missed the 5-Ball in the seventh rack to possibly put the final nail into USA's coffin. Feijen looked to have offered a lifeline by breaking dry and Morris made it 5-3. Morris again had an opportunity from his break but he committed pooling suicide to hand the Mosconi Cup to Europe for the fourth time in five years. Final score 11-7 Europe. The other accolade saw Niels Feijen deservedly pick up this year's MVP award for his invaluable efforts this week.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
PL Round-Up: 10/12/11
Manchester United 4-1 Wolves: United bounce back from their European disappointment with a cruising victory over Wolves. Nani broke the deadlock after seventeen minutes with a trademark cutting in before shooting. Wayne Rooney then scored his first goal in nine Premiership games with a disguised long shot ten minutes later. Steven Fletcher pulled a goal back for Wolves two minutes into the second half with a well crafted header. Nani scored his first Premiership brace to restore United's two goal cushion by turning Antonio Valencia's cross in after 56 minutes. Rooney wrapped things up with his second, again turning in a Valencia cross just six minutes later. Ezekiel Fryers also became the first United player to play in the Premiership despite being born after the league had started when he came on as a substitute.
Norwich 4-2 Newcastle: Newcastle slump to four games without a win after fielding a very makeshift defence. Norwich took the lead with Wes Hoolahan getting the last touch from a corner that shouldn't have been given after 36 minutes. Demba Ba equalised after a great Yohann Cabaye through ball right on half-time. Grant Holt scored his fiftieth league goal for Norwich to make it 2-1 with a rebound header just fourteen minutes into the second half. Steve Morison made it 3-1 with his fifth goal in six games courtesy of a bullet header after 63 minutes. The task got worse for Newcastle when Dan Gosling went in studs first and received a red card after 66 minutes. But it didn't look to deter Newcastle as Demba Ba scored his second to make it 3-2 five minutes later. But Grant Holt made sure Norwich had the victory with another headed goal with eight minutes remaining.
Bolton 1-2 Aston Villa: Bolton slump to bottom of the league after their sixth defeat in seven. Marc Albrighton put Villa ahead after tapping in Gabriel Agbonlahor's low cross after 33 minutes. Villa made it 2-0 when Stiliyan Petrov's shot was deflected of ex-Villain Gary Cahill past Jussi Jaaskelainen six minutes later. A goalmouth scramble turned in by Ivan Klasnic just ten minutes into the second half gave Bolton hope but they couldn't find an equaliser, giving Villa their first away win this season.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton: Arsenal move fourth, perhaps temporarily, with a tight victory over Everton on their 125th anniversary. Arsenal had countless chances to take the lead in the first half but a mixture of good defending and overplay kept the score goalless at half-time. Robin Van Persie moved to within one goal of Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 league goals in a calender year, scoring the winner via a stunning volley twenty minutes from time.
Swansea 2-0 Fulham: Clint Dempsey deflected a Scott Sinclair shot past Mark Schwarzer eleven minutes into the second half. Fulham had a penalty when Ashley Richards fouled Simon Davies but Michel Vorm saved Dempsey's penalty. Danny Graham secured the win in injury time, just five minutes after the penalty.
West Brom 1-2 Wigan: Wigan move off the bottom and out of the relegation zone after coming from behind to win. West Brom took the lead with Steven Reid curling a free-kick into the top corner after 33 minutes. Victor Moses equalised for Wigan just four minutes later. Jordi Gomez secured the victory via the penalty spot twelve minutes into the second half.
Liverpool 1-0 QPR: Liverpool stumbled over the line against QPR as they remain seventh. Luis Suarez headed the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half to give Liverpool the win.
Norwich 4-2 Newcastle: Newcastle slump to four games without a win after fielding a very makeshift defence. Norwich took the lead with Wes Hoolahan getting the last touch from a corner that shouldn't have been given after 36 minutes. Demba Ba equalised after a great Yohann Cabaye through ball right on half-time. Grant Holt scored his fiftieth league goal for Norwich to make it 2-1 with a rebound header just fourteen minutes into the second half. Steve Morison made it 3-1 with his fifth goal in six games courtesy of a bullet header after 63 minutes. The task got worse for Newcastle when Dan Gosling went in studs first and received a red card after 66 minutes. But it didn't look to deter Newcastle as Demba Ba scored his second to make it 3-2 five minutes later. But Grant Holt made sure Norwich had the victory with another headed goal with eight minutes remaining.
Bolton 1-2 Aston Villa: Bolton slump to bottom of the league after their sixth defeat in seven. Marc Albrighton put Villa ahead after tapping in Gabriel Agbonlahor's low cross after 33 minutes. Villa made it 2-0 when Stiliyan Petrov's shot was deflected of ex-Villain Gary Cahill past Jussi Jaaskelainen six minutes later. A goalmouth scramble turned in by Ivan Klasnic just ten minutes into the second half gave Bolton hope but they couldn't find an equaliser, giving Villa their first away win this season.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton: Arsenal move fourth, perhaps temporarily, with a tight victory over Everton on their 125th anniversary. Arsenal had countless chances to take the lead in the first half but a mixture of good defending and overplay kept the score goalless at half-time. Robin Van Persie moved to within one goal of Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 league goals in a calender year, scoring the winner via a stunning volley twenty minutes from time.
Swansea 2-0 Fulham: Clint Dempsey deflected a Scott Sinclair shot past Mark Schwarzer eleven minutes into the second half. Fulham had a penalty when Ashley Richards fouled Simon Davies but Michel Vorm saved Dempsey's penalty. Danny Graham secured the win in injury time, just five minutes after the penalty.
West Brom 1-2 Wigan: Wigan move off the bottom and out of the relegation zone after coming from behind to win. West Brom took the lead with Steven Reid curling a free-kick into the top corner after 33 minutes. Victor Moses equalised for Wigan just four minutes later. Jordi Gomez secured the victory via the penalty spot twelve minutes into the second half.
Liverpool 1-0 QPR: Liverpool stumbled over the line against QPR as they remain seventh. Luis Suarez headed the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half to give Liverpool the win.
2011 Mosconi Cup: Day Three
Day Three kicked off with a doubles match, Shawn Putnam and Mike Dechaine against Darren Appleton and Niels Feijen. The American duo got off to the better start, taking a 2-0 lead. But that was overturned by Appleton and Feijen to give themselves a 3-2 lead. USA missed the chance to level by missing the 1-Ball and setting up a 1-9 combo shot which was taken and Europe then made it 5-2 courtesy of a fluked 2-Ball. USA couldn't reduce the arrears and Europe went onto win the first match 6-3. Making it Europe seven USA four.
Appleton and Putnam stayed at the table as they battle it out in a repeat of the 2011 US Open, which Appleton won. Putnam had full control in the first rack but he went onto miss the 9-Ball, allowing Appleton to take the lead. Putnam was awarded a lifeline straight away as Appleton scratched off the break. Again Putnam made a mistake in the third rack by missing the 2-Ball and Appleton kept the match going against the break. Putnam made his third unforced error of the match with a scratch to leave Appleton 4-1 ahead. Then it was Appleton's turn to make a unforced error after missing the 5-Ball and Putnam managed to pull it back to 4-2. But an illegal break followed by a foul helped to restore the three rack lead. Appleton won the match 6-2 to extend Europe's overall lead to 8-4.
Niels Feijen returned to the table in game three as he and Ralf Souquet took on Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer. The first three racks went with break but Morris scratched off his break in the fourth rack to give Europe a 3-1 lead. Archer and Morris couldn't find anything to break the hold and the European duo won the match 6-2. Europe now lead 9-4.
The penultimate match of the day saw the battle of the vans, Shane Van Boening against Nick Van Den Berg. Van Boening took a 2-0 lead before Van Den Berg levelled the scoreline. Van Boening regained his two rack lead before Van Den Berg recovered the match to 5-5. Van Den Berg had the break in the final rack but hit a dry one. Van Boening eventually won the final rack to make sure there was going to be a day four in this year's Mosconi Cup, 9-5 in Europe's favour.
The final match of the night saw the two débutantes, Mike Dechaine and Chris Melling, take to the table. The first four racks went with break before Chris Melling was able to take a 3-2 lead. From there Melling took control and won the match 6-2 to give Europe a commanding 10-5 lead at the end of day three. Europe need just one point tomorrow to win the 2011 Mosconi Cup.
Appleton and Putnam stayed at the table as they battle it out in a repeat of the 2011 US Open, which Appleton won. Putnam had full control in the first rack but he went onto miss the 9-Ball, allowing Appleton to take the lead. Putnam was awarded a lifeline straight away as Appleton scratched off the break. Again Putnam made a mistake in the third rack by missing the 2-Ball and Appleton kept the match going against the break. Putnam made his third unforced error of the match with a scratch to leave Appleton 4-1 ahead. Then it was Appleton's turn to make a unforced error after missing the 5-Ball and Putnam managed to pull it back to 4-2. But an illegal break followed by a foul helped to restore the three rack lead. Appleton won the match 6-2 to extend Europe's overall lead to 8-4.
Niels Feijen returned to the table in game three as he and Ralf Souquet took on Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer. The first three racks went with break but Morris scratched off his break in the fourth rack to give Europe a 3-1 lead. Archer and Morris couldn't find anything to break the hold and the European duo won the match 6-2. Europe now lead 9-4.
The penultimate match of the day saw the battle of the vans, Shane Van Boening against Nick Van Den Berg. Van Boening took a 2-0 lead before Van Den Berg levelled the scoreline. Van Boening regained his two rack lead before Van Den Berg recovered the match to 5-5. Van Den Berg had the break in the final rack but hit a dry one. Van Boening eventually won the final rack to make sure there was going to be a day four in this year's Mosconi Cup, 9-5 in Europe's favour.
The final match of the night saw the two débutantes, Mike Dechaine and Chris Melling, take to the table. The first four racks went with break before Chris Melling was able to take a 3-2 lead. From there Melling took control and won the match 6-2 to give Europe a commanding 10-5 lead at the end of day three. Europe need just one point tomorrow to win the 2011 Mosconi Cup.
Friday, 9 December 2011
2011 Mosconi Cup: Day 2
Team USA put their day one disappointments behind them by coming straight out on day two and rattling the European side. The opening match of the night was probably the most crucial and just to set the scene, it went to final rack. Shane Van Boening and Johnny Archer took on Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen with the match going to double hill. The American duo took the final rack to win 6-5 and take the tournament to 4-2 in Europe's favour.
Then the night intensified as Mike Dechaine dispatched Ralf Souquet 6-1, but Souquet was unhappy with the amount of help Dechaine received when dealing with a snooker. If that wasn't enough, Shawn Putnam and Rodney Morris took on the two Brits, Chris Melling and Darren Appleton. This again went to the final rack but with both teams showing their frustration with each other. The American pairing took the final rack to level the tournament at four apiece, but it took a rather sour as Morris and Appleton slightly squared off with Morris telling Appleton to settle it outside.
The penultimate match of the night saw Johnny Archer take on Nick Van Den Berg. After being locked a 1-1, Nick Van Den Berg finally found some European form and stormed into a 5-1 lead. Archer had control in the seventh rack but he missed the six ball to allow Van Den Berg to seal the 6-1 victory and give Europe their lead again, 5-4.
The final match of the night saw Van Boening and Morris battle it out against Souquet and Melling. Van Boening made the first golden break of the tournament in the third rack to give the USA pairing a 2-1 lead. But Morris scratched on the following American break, allowing Europe to take the lead for the first time in the match at 3-2. It seemed to have deflated the Americans as Souquet and Melling took out a 6-2 to maintain a lead for Europe at the end of the second day. Score after day two: Europe 6-4 USA.
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