ll Madridistas have been waiting for - Country Mus...
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ll Madridistas have been waiting for
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wff0605,
2014/06/16 08:42AM
Latest post: 2014/06/16 08:42AM, Views: 347, Posts: 1
Latest post: 2014/06/16 08:42AM, Views: 347, Posts: 1
wff0605
SAN FRANCISCO -- About the only thing new for Alex Smith in his return to Candlestick Park was the coach on the sideline. Considering the offences performance last week, that was a major improvement. Smith threw for 126 yards and an interception in coach Jim Harbaughs home debut, getting showered with a mix of boos and cheers in the San Francisco 49ers 17-3 pre-season victory over the cross-bay rival Oakland Raiders on Saturday night. "We improved from last week. But if we want to be the team were talking about being, we have to finish in the red zone and cant turn the ball over," Smith said. "In my thinking, those first few drives, we didnt finish and then had the pick. Cant do that." The game was also was marred by violence. There was at least one fight in the lower bowl of the stadium during the game, which is not uncommon at any sporting event, let alone one between rival teams. But afterward, word began spreading quickly of another incident outside. Two men were shot and injured in the parking lot, according to police. The victims are a 20-year-old man who is expected to survive and a 24-year-old man who is in a hospital with what authorizes said were life-threatening injuries. The 49ers released a statement that they were aware of an incident and police were investigating. On the field, they took comfort in the small strides from last week. While the running game racked up huge chunks of yards, the passing game wasnt always crisp. Smith was 8 for 13 and came up empty in the end zone. He had a pass intercepted by defensive end Matt Shaughnessy in the second quarter and led the 49ers to a field goal in one half of play. The 2005 No. 1 overall pick at least left healthy. Oakland starting quarterback Jason Campbell didnt return after taking a couple of blows on a scramble play in the second quarter. He was scheduled to have test for a concussion. Bay Area fans might have left with more questions than answers about the two starting quarterbacks. Although San Franciscos offence was a complete turnaround after a 24-3 loss in the exhibition opener at New Orleans last week, Smiths performance mimicked so many others from his previous six seasons: He anchored three long drives, showed signs of progress and made one major mistake. With second-round pick Colin Kaepernick waiting on the sidelines, the pressure is on Smith to finally perform. Kaepernick threw for 52 yards on 6-for-8 passing and -- like Smith -- benefited in long drives by a strong running game led by Kendall Hunter, who finished with 105 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. "Theres a lot to learn, new terminology and stuff like that," Hunter said. "With new coaches, you just got to adjust and learn everybody and get used to everybody." The Niners opened with a 16-play, 79-yard drive that stalled two yards short of the goal line. The ensuing field goal attempt was botched because holder Andy Lee couldnt corral the snap, throwing the ball away and injuring his hip getting pounded to the ground by defenders. On the second drive, Smith tried to squeeze a pass to tight end Vernon Davis on the left sideline, Shaughnessy dropped into coverage and was gift-wrapped an interception. Smith walked off the field to a slight chorus of boos, the only cheers coming from Raiders fans. Smith, the presumed regular-season starter, said he never saw Shaughnessy drop into coverage. Both Smith and Harbaugh believe it was an error in recognizing coverage and not a reminder of past mistakes. "We talked about (the interception)," Harbaugh said. "We feel thats a correctable thing. I know why it happened. We just have to do a little better job of our eyes." The best highlight of the night for the 49ers came when new receiver Braylon Edwards made a one-handed catch on the sideline for 32 yards on final drive for the first-team offence. San Francisco settled for a 23-yard field goal by David Akers, who also had one punt blocked filling in for Lee. Not that the news was any better on the other sideline. The Raiders already were without several key players because of injuries, notably receivers Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy and running back Darren McFadden. Now they could be adding another to the list. Campbell was hurt late in the second quarter when he scrambled to his left, was tackled by Justin Smith and appeared to take a knee to the helmet from linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Campbell was down on the ground briefly while being checked out by trainers. "The ball got knocked out of my hands. I tried to go dive on it and caught a knee to the head," Campbell said. He sat on the bench after being replaced by Trent Edwards, finishing with 74 yards passing. Sebastian Janikowski made a 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Oaklands only score. Raiders coach Hue Jackson, still searching for his first win at the helm of the silver and black, didnt blame the injuries for the poor performance. "That has nothing to do with tonight," Jackson said. "Tonight we didnt play Raider football. We didnt play like a Raider. Thats just the truth. Lets call it like it is." Hunter had a 52-yard TD rush in the third quarter and Xavier Omon ran for another from five yards out in the fourth quarter. After losing 24-18 to the Arizona Cardinals in its pre-season opener, Oakland didnt exactly make any strides the second time out. The Raiders, who have struggled to find the end zone once theyre close, have only scored one touchdown in eight trips inside the 30 this pre-season. "I think we are still knocking some rust off," defensive tackle Richard Seymour said. "It is good to get out here and work with our teammates, but we still have a lot of work to do." NOTES: Raiders TE Kevin Boss had a left knee injury. ... Lee was scheduled to undergo test on his hip. Harbaugh said he didnt think the injury was serious. . The Heat have been giving Wade sporadic breaks this season in an effort to not overly tax his legs. Coach Erik Spoelstra says Wade arrived at the arena Monday night ready and expecting to play, but that the team decided it was best to give him the game off. [url=http://www.portugalsoccerteamshop.com/World-Cup-Joao-Prerira-Portugal-Jerse... Prerira Soccer Jersey . "For the past several weeks, Logan has been dealing and playing with an upper body injury," said general manager Doug Wilson in a statement. "Despite his efforts to play through it, the injury has not responded as we had hoped and Logan has made the decision to undergo a surgical procedure to repair the problem. . The mens and womens events will be held March 22-30, 2014, at the Yellowknife Curling Centre, the Canadian Curling Association announced Tuesday. [url=http://www.portugalsoccerteamshop.com/World-Cup-Rafa-Silva-Portugal-Jersey/... Silva Jersey . The Ukrainian picked up a fever on Sunday and he felt worse on Mondays rest day. RadioShack lost two key riders earlier in the race when Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia and Chris Horner of the U. MADRID, Spain -- Madrid is celebrating the success of its two major football clubs after Atletico Madrid ensured a historic Champions League final derby against crosstown rival Real Madrid. Atleticos 3-1 victory at Chelsea saw it progress to its first European Cup final in 40 years, where record champion Madrid awaits after crushing titleholder Bayern Munich 5-0 over two legs. Atletico is on the verge of an historic double as it closes in on its first Spanish league title in 18 years, while Madrid is chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. The feat is all the more impressive for Atletico, which under coach Diego Simeone has completely turned from a club with a history for underachieving and late collapses into a European heavyweight. "Atletico is a real team," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said after Wednesdays defeat. "It knows how to be strong in defence and when to come out and attack. Its a great team." One year after an all-German Champions League final, the continents top competition has its first ever final between clubs from the same city. "Im happy that its an all-Spanish final," Atletico playmaker Koke said of the May 24 date in Lisbon. "Its going to be a special day, a very nice day because all of Madrid will be in Lisbon." The final will also highlight the teams different philosophies and history. Atleticos blue-collar base is far removed from Reals home in the northwest Chamartin area with its leafy avenues, luxury homes, and expensive cars. Madrid is the record 32-time Spanish champion with nine European Cups, and record revenues that are nearly five times that of Atletico allow it to pay for Ballon dOr recipient Cristiano Ronaldo and world-record 100 million euros signing Gareth Bale. Atleticos payroll is a fraction of Madrids or Barcelonas, and it is a club with a history of dubious finances. Yet Simeone, who was on the team that won the league-cup double in 1996, has nurtured a winning culture from a squad that has changed little since his arrival more than two years ago, and despite the sale of star striker Radamel Falcao in the off-season.dddddddddddd "Its crazy to think were in the Champions League final," Atletico midfielder Tiago Mendes said. "But this team deserves it after everything it has accomplished." Madrid and Atletico have met just once before in the competition, in the 1959 semifinals, where Madrid won a replay 2-1 when their two-leg series finished 2-2. Atleticos only final appearance in 1974 saw it succumb to Bayern Munich 4-0 in a replay following a 1-1 draw. While Madrid beat Atletico en route to this seasons domestic cup trophy, Atletico still enjoyed a breakthrough year against its city neighbour, which is returning to the final for the first time since 2002. Atletico beat Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last season for its first win over its city rival in 25 games. It followed that up with a league victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium followed by a draw at home at the Vicente Calderon. Spanish leader Atletico is six points ahead of Madrid, which has one game in hand, with three left to play, while Barcelona trails the Spanish leader by four points. The league has been dominated by Madrid and Barcelona since Valencia was the last club besides the big two to win the championship in 2004. But Atletico could clinch its first title since 1996 with a victory against Levante on Sunday if both Madrid and Barcelona lose their games. The all-Spanish final also proves the domestic league is healthy despite continued economic problems. Either Sevilla or Valencia will also advance to the Europa League final. Even the citys cleanup crews should have an easy time co-ordinating their work following the victors celebrations. Madrid traditionally celebrates its triumphs at Plaza de Cibeles, while Atleticos fans gather just down the street at Plaza de Neptuno. "This is the final all Madridistas have been waiting for," Madrid fan Jose Luis Marron Rodriguez said. "Whatever the result, the European Cup stays at home. Now, let the best team win -- I just hope its Madrid." ' ' '
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