Archive for July, 2006

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Visitors #7: The NHL Playoffs

Sunday, July 16th, 2006

In Visitors, I invite one person each month to share perspectives on a sport, a sporting event, sporting aspects or any thing in between. This week, Warren Kelly, who had written about the NHL season, joins us to analyse the NHL playoffs. If you would like to contribute for a future edition of Visitors, do not hesitate to e-mail me.

By Warren Kelly

The NHL playoffs are over. The season itself was a study in contrast and surprise – the playoffs were a fitting end to that season. Major market teams that everyone thought would go all the way were swept. Small market teams who had never had playoff success rolled over everyone in their way. And the NHL proved that it doesn’t matter where the team is, how much money it has to spend, or any of that – anyone really can win the Stanley Cup.

Round 1 started off with a list of A players – the New Jersey Devils, the New York Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings, the Dallas Stars – and a list of the “also rans” – the Carolina Hurricanes, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the Edmonton Oilers, the Buffalo Sabres, the Colorado Avalanche, the Nashville Predators. The A teams were expected to move on, and the also rans were expected to roll over and let them. But it didn’t work out that way at all.

New York and New Jersey ran into each other in round 1. This was expected to be the tough series, but Jersey swept the Rangers. Detroit met bottom-seed Edmonton, and lost in six games, showing fans exactly what was in store for them this year in the playoffs. Edmonton consistently outplayed their opponents, and left a lot of “experts” guessing. The Stars, who were a popular pick to win it all this season, lost in five games to a Colorado team who also took everyone by surprise. The underdogs were all over the favorites early on – with the exception of the Jersey Devils. And there was speculation about how long they would last.

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Posted in NHL, Winter Sports | 3 Comments »

Barca: Best club in the world

Thursday, July 13th, 2006

As if you didn’t know that already!

Still don’t believe it? Hope you are convinced now.

I am not quite sure regarding Raul being the best footballer or Deünhille (WHAT?) being the best sport though.

I am just alone and sad.

Posted in Football | No Comments »

Oh Australia!

Thursday, July 13th, 2006

Australians are sending a team to assess the situation in Mumbai ahead of the October-November Champions trophy. They are going to hear independent views as well.

Financial Express reports:

“We have a good procedure in place with Cricket Australia to assess overseas destinations,” Marsh said. “We will have a pre-tour visit with Cricket Australia officials to India and we will also rely on independent advice.

What did they do when London bombings took place? If you don’t recall, see this post by Will.

The Australians played a one dayer versus England the same day as the bombings took place. Also, they went on to play the rest of the tour normally.

The Australian government website puts India on exercise caution level even after the blasts in Mumbai. No big deal and same level as UK. So why is the Australian Cricket Board creating commotion over this? The goverment doesn’t put India in reconsider travel list either.

I can already tell them: We cannot guarantee your safety in this world full for terrorism as neither can the USA, UK or any other country. We will provide you the best security in the world and that is it. If you want to come, do so and we will welcome you. If you are still afraid, please don’t come. BCCI should not allow this security analysis in my opinion.

Thank god every one does not think like Cricket Australia.

Update: Cricket Australia (CA) has clarified their stance as this report from DNA informs us. They are indeed going to tour India for the Champions trophy. I was surprised by the initial reports which were being circulated in the media and Cricket Australia must be applauded for coming up with a statement so quickly.

The confusion may have happened in the media because CA conducts such checks as routine procedures as Rick informs.

Posted in Cricket | 9 Comments »

The Cristiano Ronaldo-Man U love affair

Thursday, July 13th, 2006

So Cristiano Ronaldo has become so hated that he is hampering tourism. Ronaldo is easily the most hated player for English fans since Maradona. Some could argue that he is even more hated than Maradona.

1) Maradona at least redeemed himself with the second goal.

2) Ronaldo plays for Man U – a much hated club apart from for those who follow Man U.

Even the Man U fans who can’t get enough of their players are strong in hating Ronaldo. So much so that he recently said:

I should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right.

And now, Ronaldo says that he is happy with Man U and will be staying there:

I have no reasons to leave the club which has always supported me and has always helped me to evolve as a player.

So Man U will not have home advantage this season if Fergie does decide to play Ronaldo in the first team. While you swear over Materazzi or Zidane, do not forget the man who will be booed all season.

Posted in Football | 13 Comments »

Keep walking

Wednesday, July 12th, 2006

China’s Liu Xiang, the country’s first men’s track gold medalist has created the 110 metres world record. On another day, you would have gone deeper into the rivalry in 110 metres hurdles or pondered over Chinese sports or the great night in Lusanne.

Today, as the morning sun rises, you are still angry. The Mumbai blasts were no hang over which would go away the next day. The innocent lives lost barbarically murdered cannot be brought back.

The simple joys we enjoy each day – sports, movies, music seem insignificant as lives are lost. That was the aim of the terrorists as well. So don’t stop dear Indians and continue with your normal lives while doing as much as you can to help the victims even though it will seem difficult.

As the Mumbai train started again today morning, the people cheered. Like that train, we have to carry on, if only to stand tall against cowardly people who attack innocents.

The previous post contains accounts and views of people here.

Posted in General Stuff | 4 Comments »

Blasts

Tuesday, July 11th, 2006

If you haven’t heard yet, seven blasts have took place in Mumbai. This follows after grenade attacks in Srinagar.

The train network in Mumbai was attacked in the peak hours. Powerful explosives have been used as well as Amit Varma reports:

High-intensity explosives have been used for these attacks; some of the railway carriages have been ripped apart. This is clearly no amateur job, but a well-planned operation by a group with plenty of resources.

A successful attack would be one which causes the maximum shock and fear in the people’s minds with least possible deaths. This seems to have been achieved quite well here. Such attacks have become far too common around the world in the last 4-5 years but they never fail to anger me.

Do keep a track of Mumbai Help. If you aren’t able to get through to your friends or family who might have been travelling by the trains or at the railway station, leave the number and we will try and inform you about them.

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Posted in General Stuff | 21 Comments »

Your very own Zidane Video Game

Tuesday, July 11th, 2006

I love video games. [Via Ryan.]

Here is a video of the actual incident if you haven’t seen it yet:

Posted in Football, Humour | 5 Comments »

Formula 1 versus Nascar

Monday, July 10th, 2006

Juan Pablo Montoya will switch to Nascar next season as CNN reports:

McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya will leave Formula One at the end of this season to drive in NASCAR, reuniting the Colombian with car owner Chip Ganassi, it was announced on Sunday.

Montoya excited a lot of people when he came to F1. After all, he was already a mini star. From Wiki:

While Zanardi had a miserable year in Formula One, Montoya, with Honda power and a great Reynard chassis at his disposal, took the American motorsport scene by storm. He took the 1999 title in his rookie year, something accomplished six years earlier by former Formula One Champion, Nigel Mansell.

The season that saw Montoya crowned as the youngest ever CART FedEx Championship Series Champion at the age of 24 was closely fought, especially with Dario Franchitti who led the championship going into the final race in California. Both drivers finished the season with equal number of points but having won seven races to the Scotsman’s three decided the title in the Colombian’s favor. Montoya’s tally of wins, pole positions and fastest laps meant that he was considered the fastest driver in a series which lacked electronic aids such as traction control, adaptive suspension or automatic gearboxes. However, the CART rookie also attracted criticism – notably from Michael Andretti and his team – for his aggressive style of driving.

For all it is worth, Montoya has had a disappointing F1 career. The style of Montoya’s racing is built on risk taking. While it was criticised by sections in CART as well, he was very much successful. In F1, overtaking doesn’t happen as much while on track. Most of the over taking takes place when some one is having a pit stop. So more than the risk taking, the strategies are crucial.

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Posted in Formula 1, Misc. Sports | 4 Comments »

A Head Butt, Six Inches Short and a Final for Generations

Monday, July 10th, 2006

I have watched four world cup finals now. This has easily been the most memorable. People from a generation earlier will compare it to the 1986 final and older generations will look back further. While there will be debate on this, we all will cherish having witnessed Italy win their 4th final.

A Dazed Henry and France 1-0 up

The first 10 minutes of the match was scrappy with Henry in pain and looking as if he had seen a ghost after the clash with Fabio Cannavaro. Henry returns to the field and people are relieved. The short period also saw Florent Malouda go down courtesy Marco Materazzi’s leg. Zidane scores from the penalty spot and it looks like deja vu 1998 with another Zidane goal.

An equaliser and Italian lobs

The Italians equalise with Marco Materazzi jumping higher than Vieira and with better timing. That is the story of the Italian strategy for the first half as well. We saw a lot of lobs with taller players being utilised, some thing Italians didn’t do as much before in the tournament. The Italians dominated possession and looked much more in command though we knew that a moment of inspiration could help win France win as well.

A sizzling second half

As the two teams saw that going into extra times or penalties would mean lesser control regarding the result of the match, they tried to press the issue. As a result, we saw some of the best football from the game. The Italian defense looked tight and if it was not them, Buffon always seemed inpenetrable. It was a question of which side will effect the perfect play for a world cup win. Goals didn’t look likely to be gifted and it was precious and yet attacking football with small but definite chances for both teams – the other team would just not let them capitalise those chances each time.

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Posted in Football | 13 Comments »

Quotable Sport #2 Yawnolysis

Sunday, July 9th, 2006

“I think this is the most meaningless match in the history of football.”

BBC Sport analyst Martin O’Neill during half-time of the Germany-Portugal match.

And the picture isn’t of Ballack who yawned in the 43rd minute of the game.

Posted in Football | No Comments »

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