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text-decoration:none; } img {border:none;} The Sport Review: “Top 14:
Toulon move top as Racing seal final play-off spot” plus 3 more- Top 14: Toulon move top as Racing seal final play-off spot - Connacht, Leinster and Munster eyeing Euro glory - Inter overcome Barcelona — What the European papers say - Mourinho takes first blood over Guardiola at the San Siro Top 14: Toulon move top as Racing seal final play-off spot Posted: 21 Apr 2010 01:46 PM PDT Jonny Wilkinson (Photo: Taneroa) A late drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson was enough to send Toulon top of the League in a clash of the Top 14 pace-setters at the Stade Vélodrome. In the penultimate round of games Philippe Saint-André's team knew that if they could beat league leaders Perpignan, and in the process deny their visitors a losing bonus point, the team from the South East would move top of the league for the first time since their return to the top flight. The game got off to a ferocious start with huge tackles coming in from both sides with Henry Tuilagi and Mafileo Kefu, in paricular, doing damage. After Wilkinson and Jerome Porical exchanged early penalties, it was Australian full back Luke Rooney who scored the first try for the hosts after a good break from Sonny Bill Williams. However, the Catalans hit straight back with a well-worked try of their own from Farid Sid in the left corner. With Kefu for Toulon, and Candelon and Guirado for Perpignan, all having been replaced through injury, it was the hosts who scored again as Joe Van Niekerk spotted a gap in the Perpignan fringe defence and stormed away before handing Rooney his second try of the afternoon. This allowed Toulon to take an 18-13 lead into half time, and thanks to Wilkinson's boot they were able to extend their lead to 30-16 with just ten minutes to go. Substitute Grégory Le Corvec then went over from close range for the visitors to bring them back into bonus point territory before Wilkinson hit a long range drop goal to put the hosts ten points clear and ensure that Toulon would be top of the League with just one round of games to go, winning 33-23. On Saturday evening it was Biarritz and Racing who were effectively playing a playoff match of their own knowing that the winner would be almost certain of finishing sixth and keeping their title hopes alive. It was the Basque visitors who dominated the early part of the game with tries from Karmichael Hunt and Iain Balshaw allowing them to take a 19-6 lead early in the second period. However, Racing showed great spirit to fight back to 22 apiece after a try from Johnny Leo'o, and with a minute remaining Sébastien Chabal produced a trademark charge through the Biarritz defence allowing Willen Leroux to score the decisive try. As a result of their 29-22 win the Parisians are now guaranteed to finish in the sixth place but will have to wait until next week to see where they will have to travel for the playoff quarter final. In Friday night's game Clermont were looking to overcome the disappointment of European defeat a week earlier in Dublin as they entertained Castres. With Brock James continuing his slump with the boot, it looked as though the visitors might secure a vital victory, but the introduction of Morgan Parra who rejuvenated his side, as well as taking over kicking duties from the misfiring James, proved to be the turning point. The hosts eventually came through 25-19 to move up to third in the table and leave their visitors with a tough task next weekend at Toulouse to avoid slipping to fifth and an away quarter final in the playoffs. It could have been worse for Castres though, had Toulouse not surprisingly lost at Bourgoin after a late penalty from Alberto di Bernardo. The relegation battlers fought back well after conceding an early try, and were deserved winners against opponents who never got anywhere near the level they showed a week ago in the Heineken Cup. The defeat leaves Toulouse needing a win next week to have any chance of a home quarter final in the playoffs, and given their away form this season, they will need that home advantage come the playoffs. In the remaining games Albi stunned Stade Français 38-24 to guarantee that the Parisian club will not play in the Heineken Cup next season. Brive also saw their European hopes take a blow as they went down to Bayonne 33-25. In the final game, a Montauban side in financial turmoil struggled to put their off field troubles to one side and fell to a disappointing 19-6 home defeat against Montpellier. They will have to turn things around next week as they take on Bayonne, but regardless of that result, it would appear that they will be relegated because of their financial difficulties. - Top 14 Rugby: Are Castres finally starting to crack? - Rugby Union: Top 14 Review — Biarritz reign in Spain - Connacht, Leinster and Munster eyeing Euro glory Connacht, Leinster and Munster eyeing Euro glory Posted: 21 Apr 2010 06:45 AM PDT Following last year's Six Nations triumph, most neutrals would consider Irish rugby to have suffered from a major hangover this season. Domestically however, the picture is brightened by the continuing fortunes of Connacht, Leinster and Munster in European competitions. The national side performed poorly by their own high standards in this year’s Six Nations, after starting the championships as Grand Slam champions. They were outplayed and out-muscled by France in Paris and shell-shocked by a Dan Parks inspired Scotland in the last ever international fixture played at Ireland's temporary home, Croke Park. However, the lack of success on the national stage appears to have only instilled more hunger into players at provincial level. Leinster are enjoying another excellent season topping the Magners League table and on course for more European glory. The Heineken Cup holders squeezed through their clash with Clermont Auvergne giving them every chance of retaining the crown they captured for the first time at Murrayfield. Outright favourites Toulouse await the Dublin-based side at the Stadium Municipal next weekend and will provide Brian O'Driscoll and company with one of the toughest tests of their careers. Meanwhile it's business as usual for Ireland's most well known and successful side, Munster. The two times European Champions are flying high in the League and are still in with a chance of European glory. Munster are also on the road, facing Biarritz at the semi-final stage in their search for a fifth Heineken Cup final appearance, and are marginal favourites to progress. They appear to be coming into form at the right time and will be quietly confident of making it past the Basque club. Ulster are the only Irish side without a chance of collecting silverware at this stage, but have still had some high points; the home win over Stade Français springs to mind. They narrowly failed to qualify from the group stage, but have since endured a worrying dip in form in the League, a blip which could cost the side dearly both on and off the field. The IRFU use the leagues as a basis to decide which three of its teams qualify for the Heineken Cup, which to date has always been Leinster, Munster and Ulster. But the fourth professional side, Connacht, have been gaining considerable ground on Ulster, leaving the northerners needing to pick up vital points sooner rather than later to secure qualification. Connacht are the traditional whipping boys of Irish rugby. The Galway club do not have the resources to compete at the level of the other three provinces but have shed their underdog status of late. This season they have performed above expectations again, reching the semi-final stage of the Amlin Challenge Cup, where they will host a Jonny Wilkinson inspired Toulon outfit next weekend. On paper, the current Top 14 leaders will provide an immense challenge for the Westerners, and it is difficult to see the French side not leaving Galway with a win. Connacht are a credit to outgoing Director of Rugby, Michael Bradley, who has decided to move on at the end of the season after seven years in charge, and should provide a stern test for Toulon. - Top 14: Toulon move top as Racing seal final play-off spot - Will 2010 be the year for Connacht Rugby? - RBS Six Nations: Wales v France preview Inter overcome Barcelona — What the European papers say Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:45 AM PDT Pep Guardiola (Photo: Tsutomu Takasu) The Sport Review takes a look at the European media's reaction to Inter Milan's 3-1 success over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. "Inter – A night of glory!" Gazzetta dello Sport leads with a slogan that salutes the Italian champions for their tremendous achievement. Inter claimed a memorable 3-1 victory that will remain present in the minds of the 80,000 spectators for a long time. The Italian paper proudly proclaims that the "European champions can be beaten if you put them on the ropes". The author of the piece remarks that the first two goals of the night came from defensive errors; the kind of mistakes that "a defensive coach like Jose Mourinho will not fail to notice". Amongst the drama there was the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was treated to a "torrent of boos" from the passionate Nerazzurri fans. Diego Milito endeavoured to work the channels all night and was duly awarded for his hard work with the third goal. The San Siro acknowledged the contribution of the Argentine with the stadium "trembling with applause" as he was substituted with cramp. "Mourinho – I signed for this!" Corriere dello Sport tells how "Inter overwhelmed the beautiful Barcelona" in Milan. The article calls it "an extraordinary night" which was made even more special because the Italian champions battled from behind to overcome their Spanish counterparts. Despite Pedro's 17th minute goal Inter regrouped and "played the perfect game". Goals from Wesley Sneijder and Maicon edged Mourinho's men into the lead. "The Prince" (Diego Milito) added a third just after the 60th minute causing ”the San Siro to erupt”. The first leg leaves Inter with a two goal advantage and a chance to make history and reach an elusive Champions League Final in the Spanish capital. "Barça fall into Inter’s trap" Spanish newspaper Marca describes the night as the first time Pep Guardiola's Barcelona were “out played by the opposition”. Jose Mourinho managed to “nullify all of the weapons” that the holders possessed. The key factor was the “neutralising of Xavi’s influence” in Barcelona's midfield. The impact of former Inter Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic was crucial too and the Swedish international "disappeared" in the San Siro. Meanwhile Diego Milito was in a "state of grace" as he displayed himself to be one of the best strikers in Europe. - Mourinho takes first blood over Guardiola at the San Siro - No extra pressure before Chelsea clash, says Mourinho - Inter Milan scrape past basement club Siena Mourinho takes first blood over Guardiola at the San Siro Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:10 AM PDT Jose Mourinho (Photo: Tsutomu Takasu) Inter Milan took a big step towards the final of the Champions League last night with a comfortable 3-1 win over holders Barcelona at the San Siro. The hosts came from behind to claim the first leg advantage through goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito. This, after Pedro had given Barça an early lead following Maxwell's pinpoint cut-back. Despite the drama and high skill being displayed on the pitch, it was impossible to ignore the mental contest taking place in the dugouts. This tie pits the wits of the self-styled 'Special One', Jose Mourinho, against those of the pretender to his crown, Pep Guardiola. It is difficult to imagine a contest featuring two more charismatic, and dare one say, well-dressed managers. In the tactical stakes, it is clear that Mourinho picked up maximum points in this leg as Inter denied Barça the space to play their usual brand of breathtaking football. However the visitors dominated the early stages and took a deserved lead through Pedro, after a typically clinical counter attacking move. Pedro's 20th goal of the season. The equaliser came soon after, aided by some poor defending from Barça. Eto’o crossed from the right and Milito teed up Sneijder to slam the ball home. Inter's second came after a rare slip from golden boy Lionel Messi. He gave the ball the ball away cheaply and allowed the hosts to break. Milito, again, found himself in possession inside the area and this time he fed the overlapping Maicon to find the back of the net. With Barça's 14-hour coach journey taking its toll, Inter took the opportunity to really seize the tie by the throat. Another break from Eto’o down the right allowed him the space to cross. >From Sneijder's misdirected header Milito found himself unmarked, and potentially offside, at the back post to nod in. A victory for the master over the pupil then. Guardiola may have led Barça to a historic treble last season, but he found the going somewhat tougher against one of Europe's master tacticians. Publicly disillusioned with life in Serie A, the Portuguese manager is hankering for a move back to England. If Liverpool are looking for someone to aid their ailing fortunes, they need look no further than Mourinho. However, one gets the impression that his destination might be further down the M62 — the cushy leather manager's chair at Old Trafford. Watch this space. - Inter overcome Barcelona — What the European papers say - Experience may still give Inter the edge in Serie A title battle - Eto’o stuns Stamford Bridge — What Italy’s papers say You are subscribed to email updates from The Sport Review To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 -- Posted By Mas Item to bwinsport at 4/22/2010 12:09:00 AM -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Gugukluhayat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gugukluhayat?hl=en.
