February 2012
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IN THE NEWS - 100 days remain until Euro 2012
FOOTBALL - Has your countdown started towards Euro 2012? Have you already started painting your face in the colours of your country? Do you tend to amaze your friends with your knowledge of your national team? If so, please send us an email at sportsdesk@infostradasports.com. Because we would like to pick your brain and possibly even include you in our team that is preparing for Euro 2012.
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REVIEW: Bahrain bow out despite blowout
FOOTBALL - Bahrain needed to beat Indonesia by at least an eight goal margin to have any chance of advancing to the next round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. They beat Indonesia 10-0. But it was not enough as a late Qatar equaliser against Iran seals their fate.
> Bahrain’s awkward vantage point was created in large part by a 6-0 defeat against Iran, a match in which they had a player...
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IN THE NEWS - Fernandez hit with another big ban
FOOTBALL - Feyenoord striker Guyon Fernandez has been slapped with a five-match ban by the Dutch FA after headbutting an opponent last weekend. Earlier in the season, he was banned for six matches after striking an opponent. That is now 11 matches of suspension. He has scored six goals for the Rotterdam side.
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IN THE NEWS - Parker (31) earns first England...
FOOTBALL - Tottenham Hotspur’s Scott Parker is the 16th oldest player to earn his first England captaincy at 31 years and 138 days. Remarkably, the record holder, Alexander Morten, was nearly 10 years older than Parker (41-113) when he first captained England on 8 March 1873.
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OFF THE WALL - Korea DPR remain world champions
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday, 29 February, Korea DPR successfully defended their football world title by salvaging a 1-1 draw at challengers Tajikistan. Click here to read more about it.
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ON THIS DAY - 1964: Fraser improves 100m WR for...
SWIMMING - Exactly 48 years ago, on 29 February 1964, legendary Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser registered her 11th and final world record improvement of the world record in the Women’s 100m Freestyle. Click here to read her profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
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BIRTHDAY - 29 February: Henri Richard (Ice Hockey)
ICE HOCKEY – How would it feel like to win 11 Stanley Cups (an individual record in North American professional sports) and still be referred to as ‘someone’s brother’? Meet Henri Richard, former star of the Montreal Canadiens and the younger brother of Maurice “The Rocket” Richard. Henri took the nickname “Pocket Rocket”, but his exploits on the ice were colossal. Click here for a tribute to him,...
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IN THE NEWS - Montoya escapes inferno at Daytona
NASCAR - Juan Pablo Montoya came away unscathed and with a scare after crashing into a jet dryer truck in the Daytona 500. The former Formula 1 driver from Colombia was asked about the crash and replied: “In my life I have hit a lot of things, but never a jet dryer truck.” Click here for footage from the accident.
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PREVIEW: Friendly - England v Holland (29 Feb,...
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday 29 February, England host Netherlands in an international friendly at London’s Wembley Stadium. We have lined up a few key statistics on this match.
> This match was originally scheduled for 10 August 2011, but rioting in the city of London caused for the match to be rearranged.
> Holland were top of the FIFA World Rankings on that day, for the first time in the...
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PREVIEW: Friendly - Poland v Portugal (29 Feb,...
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday 29 February, Poland host Portugal in an international friendly at Warsaw’s National Stadium. We have lined up a few key statistics on this match.
> Poland kick off their Euro 2012 (which they co-host) warmup campaign with a friendly in Warsaw against Portugal, which hosted Euro 2004.
> Two years before that, the two met at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Portugal rolled...
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PREVIEW: Friendly - Germany v France (29 Feb,...
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday 29 February, Germany host France in an international friendly at Bremen’s Weserstadium. We have lined up a few key statistics on this match.
> Germany have scored multiple goals in their last 10 international matches. The last time they failed to do so was in their last defeat, a 2-1 home defeat against Australia on 29 March 2011.
> The Australians thereby exacted...
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PREVIEW: Friendly - Croatia v Sweden (29 Feb,...
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday 29 February, Croatia host Sweden in an international friendly at Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium. We have lined up a few key statistics on this match.
> Sweden have lost all previous three meetings against Croatia. Their head-to-head with them is worse than against any other opponents.
> Football is not the only sport in which Croatia have frustrated Sweden. Croatia...
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PREVIEW: Friendly - Denmark v Russia (29 Feb,...
FOOTBALL - On Wednesday 29 February, Denmark host Russia in an international friendly at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium. We have lined up a few key statistics on this match.
> Thomas Sørensen can play his 100th international match for Denmark.
> He can become the eighth Dane to reach 100, a list that includes current Danish team boss Morten Olsen on 102. The Denmark record holder is...
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OFF THE WALL - 222 goals by Messi in 13 minutes
FOOTBALL - Ever wondered what Lionel Messi’s 100th goal for FC Barcelona was? Just click here to find out. A great post on YouTube - 222 goals by Messi for Barcelona in 13 minutes. One advice: do not blink!
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EURO CLUB INDEX: Premier League down to two
FOOTBALL - The League Odds of the updated Euro Club Index reveal that Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat against Arsenal on the weekend means that the Premier League is essentially a two horse race. For this and all the other odds click here to visit the website.
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ON THIS DAY - 2005: "Where are you??!!!"
FOOTBALL - Only once so often will one hear such a passionate plea for the home crowd to rally behind their team. Such was the case when Norwich City shareholder Delia Smith addressed the Carrow Road faithful during halftime of a Premier League match against Manchester City on 28 February, 2005. The Canaries went on to lose the match and ultimately were relegated to the second tier a few months...
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BIRTHDAY - 28 February: Dino Zoff (Football)
FOOTBALL - Italian goalkeeping legend Dino Zoff is 70 years old today. As a player he was ageless, played into his forties and became the oldest player to lift the FIFA World Cup in 1982. Click here for a compilation of his famous saves and click here to read his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Linus Pauling, Mercedes Ruehl, John Turturro
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ON THIS DAY - 1988, "La Bomba" wins second gold
ALPINE SKIING - Alberto Tomba was a sight to behold. The phenom and playboy from Bologna was larger than life on the slopes. “Tomba La Bomba” (Tomba The Bomb) won his second Olympic gold medal in the 1988 Calgary Winter Games in his favourite event, the Slalom. Click here for footage from his victorious race. He was also a formidable competitor in the Giant Slalom. And click here to...
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BIRTHDAY - 27 February: Djalma Santos (Football)
FOOTBALL - Today marks the 83rd birthday of one of Brazil’s finest ever footballers. Djalma Santos was the total package. He was a full-back that excelled at defending, passing and he had a knack for attacking as well. Click here to read his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Constantine The Great, John Steinbeck, Elizabeth Taylor
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REVIEW: Arsenal win knocks Spurs off top London...
FOOTBALL - Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 26 February improved the Gunners’ 2011/2012 record in London Derbies to three wins, one draw and two defeats, giving them 10 points in six city derbies. Spurs suffered their first defeat of the season against a local rival. They now have 10 points in five London derbies. Fulham, who triumphed at Loftus Road (QPR) this...
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BREAKING - Hogg is youngest try scorer in 6N era
RUGBY UNION - Stuart Hogg’s try for Scotland in today’s Six Nations rugby match against France has made him the youngest try scorer (19 years and 247 days) in the Six Nations era (2000-present). The only other teenager that has scored a try in a 6N match is Wales’ George North who was 19 years and 298 days old when he crossed over against Ireland on 5 February 2012.
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ON THIS DAY - 2006, Sweden complete comeback
ICE HOCKEY - They were pummeled by Russia (0-5). They were blanked by Slovakia (0-3). They suffered a few devastating defeats in the group stage. But they got stronger as the tournament went on. Sweden’s men’s ice hockey team became the first team in Olympic history to overcome two defeats to win Olympic gold. In the final, the ‘Tre Kronor’ (Three Crowns) defeated Finland...
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BIRTHDAY - 26 February: Jenny Thompson (Swimming)
SWIMMING - Today, Jenny Thompson celebrates her 39th birthday. The prodigal US swimmer is a winner of 12 Olympic medals, of which eight are gold. Click here to read her profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Victor Hugo, Levi Strauss, Johnny Cash
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OFF THE WALL - How on earth do you miss this?!!
FOOTBALL - Click here as seeing is believing. Unless you are of course Flamengo’s Deivid De Souza. Or a family member of his. Or a vague relative of his. Fla-bbergasting.
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OFF THE WALL - Rapid fire by Police in Uganda
FOOTBALL - On Friday, 24 February, Jimmy Kulaba of Ugandan side Police FC needed only four minutes to score a hat-trick, as far as we know the fastest three goals by one player ever from the start of a league match. Their Super League match against UTODA ended in a 4-1 victory, with both sides recording a goal late in the second half.
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ON THIS DAY - 1964: Cassius Clay lays down Liston
BOXING - Precisely 48 years ago, a 22-year-old prize fighter named Cassius Clay won his first world championship bout by scoring a TKO victory over Sonny Liston. This was the last professional fight that this fighter would appear in under the name Clay. The world would get to know him as Muhammad Ali.
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BIRTHDAY - 25 February: Birgit Fischer...
CANOE/KAYAK - Rowing your boat gently down the stream is never what Birgit Fischer had in mind, scattering eight Olympic gold medals across a record six different Olympic Games. Click here to read her profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Enrico Caruso, George Harrison, Daniel Powter
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IN THE NEWS - And the Oscar goes to.....
GENERAL - With the Oscar weekend upon us, allow us to share with you our thoughts on 10 sports films and documentaries that we have particularly enjoyed and would like to recommend to you.
1. Raging Bull (1980, Boxing)
Robert DeNiro portrays prize fighter Jake LaMotta in film based on a true story. And he actually won the Best Actor Award for that role. Well deserved. This is a gem. Trailer
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PREVIEW - Six Nations Week 3: Wales eye Triple...
RUGBY UNION - The 2012 Six Nations tournament continues this weekend and we have collected some key stats to preview each of the games.
Ireland v Italy, Saturday 25 February, 14.30 CET, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
> Ireland have won all of their previous 12 Six Nations meetings. Ireland and England are the two sides against which Italy have never collected a result in the Six Nations.
...
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LONDON CALLING - Jovtchev's birthday marred by...
GYMNASTICS-ARTISTIC - Bulgarian gymnast great Jordan Jovtchev celebrates his 39th birthday today, but the celebrations are likely to be kept at at a minimum.
Jovtchev could become the first ever gymnast to participate in six Olympic Games, but a recent shoulder injury has put his presence at London 2012 into serious doubt.
Jovtchev is a four-time Olympic medallist, taking silver on rings and...
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ON THIS DAY - 2002, Canada end 50-year drought
ICE HOCKEY - Precisely 10 years ago today, Canada ended a 50-year drought as their men’s ice hockey team won the Salt Lake City Winter Games gold medal match against the hosts USA. The NHL talent assembled by the Canadese restored pride in what is considered the homeland of this sport. Click here for a brief summary of the final.
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BIRTHDAY - 24 February - Floyd Mayweather Jr....
BOXING - Today is Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s 35th birthday. The American prize fighter has won seven world titles in three different weight classes, has an undefeated record of 42-0 in his professional career and has won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. He is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of at least his generation. Since Mayweather, Jr is an active boxer, you will...
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ODDS AND ENDS - More on progress in KO ties
FOOTBALL - There are still football managers out there that believe that a goalless draw at home in the first leg of a European Cup knockout tie is a good result. Allow us to refute that myth.
Exactly one-third of the teams that drew 0-0 in their home leg of a European Cup tie have gone through to the next round, which means that two of the three faced with that situation crash out.
Playing to...
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IN THE NEWS - Where the Pole Vault WR is headed
ATHLETICS - Yelena Isinbayeva improved the Indoor World Record in Women’s Pole Vault to 5.01 metres on Thursday, breaking her own indoor mark by one cm and leaving her five centimetres shy of the outdoor top mark held by her. What can we expect from this event in the future?
Within the Athletics realm, Women’s Pole Vault is a relatively young event. It debuted on an Olympic level at...
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ODDS AND ENDS: Milan, Barça shoo-in to reach QF
FOOTBALL - With the first legs of the Champions League Last 16 behind us, AC Milan and FC Barcelona are virtually assured of reaching the quarterfinals.
The 4-0 advantage that AC Milan have taken has never been overturned, making the rossoneri close to 100% to advance. Historically, in European knockout ties four-goal deficits have been repaired, but on those three occasions the team that hit...
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ON THIS DAY - 1980, Eric Heiden completes sweep
SPEED SKATING - In 1980, Eric Heiden recorded an unprecedented achievement in Winter Olympic history, by winning five individual gold medals in the Lake Placid Winter Games, sweeping all five events in Men’s Speed Skating. Click here for his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame and click here for his crowning achievement in those 1980 Olympic Games.
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BIRTHDAY - 23 February - Kristina Smigun...
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING - Today is the 35th birthday of Kristina Smigun-Vähi, a retired cross-country skier and one of the dominant women in this sport in the decade leading up to her retirement in 2010. She won two gold medals at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games and added a silver in Vancouver four years later. She also won a multitude of medals in World Championships and World Cups.
Shares...
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PREVIEW: Basel aiming to repeat past Swiss lore
FOOTBALL - FC Basel are the first Swiss side to reach the knockout stages in the Champions League since the competition was installed in 1992. Tonight, they will take on Bayern München in an attempt to become the first Swiss club to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup since Grasshoppers in 1978/1979. No Swiss club has ever won a European trophy of any kind.
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ON THIS DAY - 1980, "The Miracle On Ice"
ICE HOCKEY - It should never have happened. It bordered on the unthinkable. It was one of the most inconceivable upsets in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. In 1980, an unfancied group of American college students toppled the seemingly invincible Soviets at a Lake Placid rink. This victory set up an opportunity to win the gold medal in their last final pool phase match against Finland, an...
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BIRTHDAY - 22 February: Niki Lauda (Formula 1)
FORMULA 1 - Precious few things could stop Austrian race driver Niki Lauda, not even a near death experience. One of Ferrari’s early poster boys, Lauda stepped into the spotlights in the early 1970s, winning his first drivers’ championship in 1975. He endured his near fatal crash in the next season. Bearing heavy scars from the severe burns he suffered, he bounced back to reclaim his...
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ON THIS DAY - 1960: Skoblikova starts goldrush
SPEED SKATING - Lidia Skoblikova ranks behind only Bjørn Dæhlie and Lyubov Yegorova when it comes to most successful winter Olympians. The Russian speed skater won her first of six Olympic gold medals 52 years ago to the day. She won two gold medals in Squaw Valley in 1960 and dominated the 1964 Innsbruck Games with a whopping four gold medals.
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PREVIEW: Chelsea counted upon to fly English flag
FOOTBALL - With the two Manchester sides already relegated to the ranks of the Europa League and Arsenal’s chance to progress reduced to statistically zero, England’s lone remaining trump card is Chelsea. If the Londoners fail to subdue Italian foes Napoli, there will be no English teams in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time since 1995/1996 when Blackburn...
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BIRTHDAY - 21 February: Ivo Van Damme (Athletics)
ATHLETICS - Belgian athlete Ivo Van Damme would have been 58 years old today, had he not been tragically killed in a car accident in 1976 (aged 22). He won silver medals in the middle distances in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Since 1977, one of the most important athletics meets on the calendar bears his name.
Shares birthday with: W.H. Auden, Sam Peckinpah, Jennifer Love Hewitt
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ON THIS DAY - 2002, Bjørndalen heroics reach peak
BIATHLON - On this day, 10 years ago, Norway’s Ole Einar Bjørndalen won his fourth Olympic gold medal of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, emerging victorious in the Men’s Relay event. In this hybrid between cross-country skiing and shooting, Bjørndalen showed the Midas’ touch during the 2002 Winter Games. Click here to watch him beat nemesis Raphaël Poirée in a photo-finish.
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BIRTHDAY - 20 February: Jimmy Greaves (Football)
FOOTBALL - “It’s a funny old game”, was Jimmy Greaves’s famous moniker and we will have to agree. A pundit and public figure in his life after football, Greaves is one of the most heralded Englishman to ever grace the game. He was only 20 when he scored his 100th league goal and he was 23 when he scored his 200th. His 44 international goals for England rank only behind...
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ON THIS DAY - 1984: Tretyak wins third gold medal
ICE HOCKEY - Would you believe that Ice Hockey great Vladislav Tretyak became a goaltender because no one else on his team wanted to defend the goal? Well, he did and precisely 28 years ago, he won a third Olympic gold medal. Click here to read his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
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BIRTHDAY - 19 February: Eddie Arcaro (Horse...
HORSE RACING - If Eddie Arcaro would be alive today, he would be 96 years old. He is regarded as the finest American jockey ever, having won the Kentucky Derby on five occasions, the Preakness Stakes on six and the Belmont Stakes on six and claiming the Triple Crown in 1941 and 1948. Credited with more than 4,500 career victories, the man called ‘The Banana Nose’ was faster than his...
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ON THIS DAY - 1998, Dæhlie wins 8th Olympic gold
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING - Precisely fourteen years ago, Bjørn Dæhlie won his eighth and final Winter Olympic gold medal, a figure that makes him the most successful Winter Olympian of all time. Click here for a summary of the unforgettable exploits of this living legend and click here to read his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
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BIRTHDAY - 18 February: Roberto Baggio (Football)
FOOTBALL - Today is the 45th birthday of Roberto Baggio, the footballer affectionately referred to as ‘Il Codino Divino’ (The Divine Ponytail). Click here to watch that magical goal from the 1990 FIFA World Cup and click here to read his profile on the Infostrada Sports Wall Of Fame.
Shares birthday with: Randy Crawford, John Travolta, Dr. Dre
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ON THIS DAY - 1974, Barça claim historic triumph
FOOTBALL - In the mid-1970s, FC Barcelona were not quite the side they are today. Having played second fiddle to Real Madrid for decades had frustrated the blaugrana faithful. However, a lot changed with the arrival of Dutch master Johan Cruijff. He helped restore Catalan pride, most notably through a resounding 5-0 victory at Real Madrid, precisely 38 years ago to the day. Click here to watch a...
