May 24, 2009

Bremen lifts German Cup

Players of Werder Bremen present the trophy after winning the German soccer cup (DFB-Pokal) final against Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin, May 30, 2009. Bremen won the match 1-0.

BERLIN, May 30 -- German football powerhouse Werder Bremen made up at the last for a disappointing league campaign and defeat in the UEFA Cup final, beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in Berlin to lift the German Cup on Saturday night.

Midfielder Mesut Oezil scored the only goal of the game in the 58th minute to earn the Green-Whites the trophy for the sixth time and ensure them a place in next season's inaugural Europa League.

Werder started the stronger of the two sides in the Olympic Stadium and went on to dominate much of the first half.

Ten days after losing out to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup and a week on from the 5-1 thumping that earned Wolfsburg the league title, Thomas Schaaf's men were right back on song, driven forward by playmaker Diego in his final competitive appearance for the club before moving to Juventus.

In the sixth minute, central defender Sebastian Proedl connected powerfully with a Diego cross, pulling a good save out of Leverkusen keeper Rene Adler. Seven minutes later Adler was in action again, scrambling to clear a wayward cross from Torsten Frings.

Bayer struggled to create chances of their own in the early stages. Their first of note came in the 22nd minute, when Patrick Helmes was put in well from the right, but failed to hit the target unmarked inside the box.

Leverkusen's midfield started to get more of a grip on proceedings after the interval, but chances for them remained at a premium.

In the 54th minute, Werder keeper Tim Wiese had to deal with a ferocious long-range effort from Tranquillo Barnetta. Werder's response was not long in coming. Diego freed up Oezil and the 20-year-old midfielder rifled his team in front from a tight angle.

Having gone behind, Bayer finally started to show glimpses of their attacking potential. In the 63rd minute Helmes just failed to connect with a low Michal Kadlec cross from the left.

Almeida forced another good save out of Adler in a 70th-minute breakaway, while four minutes later Arturo Vidal set up Kadlec for an effort that crept just wide of the post.

Leverkusen battled to the end, with Stefan Kiessling going close on a couple of occasions as the clock ran down, but were left to regret an overly-passive performance for the first two-thirds of the match.

Diego of Werder Bremen presents the trophy after winning the German soccer cup (DFB-Pokal) final against Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin, May 30, 2009. Bremen won the match 1-0.

Werder Bremen's players throw their coach Thomas Schaaf into air after as they celebrate after defeating Bayer Leverkusen in a German soccer cup (DFB Pokal) final at the Olympic stadium in Berlin May 30, 2009.

Werder Bremen's Diego sits on the shoulders of Hugo Almeida as they celebrate after defeating Bayer Leverkusen in a German soccer cup (DFB Pokal) final at the Olympic stadium in Berlin May 30, 2009
(Xinhua)

Djokovic and Dementieva stunned, Federer and Serena fight through

PARIS, May 30 -- Big names underwent a tough Saturday at the French Open as fourth seeds Novak Djokovic and Elena Dementieva both bowed out and Roger Federer and Serena Williams rallied from a set down to advance into the fourth round.

Djokovic's dream of capturing the French Open title evaporated after German 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber swept the Serbian aside 6-4, 6-4 and 6-4 in two hours 21 minutes while unfancied Samantha Stosur avenged her 2009 Australian Open loss to women's fourth seed Dementieva in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory, entering the second week at Roland Garros for the first time.

Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber returns the ball against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the 3rd round competition of men's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Kohlschreiber won the match 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Federer, bidding for the only Grand Slam title which has eluded him, survived an early niggle before bearing down in windy conditions to dispatch home player Paul-Henri Mathieu 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Switzerland's Roger Federer plays a forehand against French player Paul-Henri Mathieu during the 3rd round competition of men's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Federer won the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Serena was also made sweat as the U.S. and Australian Open champion conquered Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Serena Williams of the United States acts against Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez during the 3rd round competition of women's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Williams won the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic, strangely out of sorts, struggled to find his timing all match long, hitting 38 unforced errors and a whole bunch more that were forced upon him by Kohlschreiber's incessant long hitting, both down the line and cross court.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber during the 3rd round competition of men's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Djokovic lost to Kohlschreiber 4-6, 4-6, 4-6.

"What is disappointing was that I couldn't find the rhythm throughout the whole match. This is what I was always managing to do," said the 22-year-old.

"I can't really explain why. Physically I felt good, but it's just a bad day at the office. Of course he played very solid," he added.

This is not the first time the German has caused an upset. He knocked Andy Roddick out of the Australian Open last year, but no one really expected him to trouble the Serb, who some had tipped to overthrow current world number one Rafael Nadal this year.

"I think I played really, really one of the best matches I ever play in a big tournament," said Kohlschreiber, who, with the win, equaled his best grand slam showing of two last-16 appearances at the Australian Open.

"Maybe Novak didn't play his best today. But from my point of view ... I did a really good job today."

Federer had beaten his 35th-seeded opponent three times without a loss but lost his way in the opening set. But Mathieu didn't roll over in front of his home public while the 13-time Grand Slam champion dominated the following three sets and took his second match point with an inside-out forehand winner.

French player Paul-Henri Mathieu returns the ball against Switzerland's Roger Federer during the 3rd round competition of men's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Federer won the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Serena added more spice after her ill-tempered win by calling her Spaniard opponent a "cheat".

Their first set featured an incident in which Martinez broke serve to lead 3-2 after a shot appeared to rebound off her arm. The Spaniard won the point and then the set.

"The ball did touch her 100 percent on her arm," Williams said. "The rules of tennis are when the ball hits your body, then it's out of play. The ball hit her body, and therefore, she should have lost the point instead of cheating."

But Martinez refused to accept the label. "I put the racquet up," the 43rd-ranked Spaniard said. "The ball was in and it was a point for me. It didn't hit me or my body. To say I'm a cheat is stupid. I'm not going to comment on it."

Roddick, the only American man left at the tournament, made it into the round of 16 in Paris for the first time in his career by beating Marc Gicquel of France 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

The sixth seed, who had never made an impression on the red dirt, has been in superb touch and will next play French 11th seed Gael Monfils, who beat Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Also in women's event, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia both eased through in straight sets, beating Jarmila Groth of Australia and Melina Czink of Hungary respectively.

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic returns the ball against Australia's Jarmila Groth during the 3rd round competition of women's singles at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 30, 2009. Jankovic won the match 6-1, 6-1.
(Xinhua)

Tourists play with a turtle at the "Turtle Bay" in the submarine world of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, May 27, 2009.

A pair of chameleons fight inside a park in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad May 27, 2009.

A guard of honor covers the coffin of deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun with a national flag at Roh's hometown Bonghwa village in Gimhae, about 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Seoul, May 29, 2009. The public funeral of Roh is to be held at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Friday.

A guard of honor carrying the picture of deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun departs from Roh's hometown Bonghwa village in Gimhae for the public funeral to be held in Seoul, May 29, 2009. The public funeral of Roh is to be held at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Friday.

People follow a hearse (not pictured) carrying a coffin containing body of deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun at Roh's hometown Bonghwa village in Gimhae, about 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Seoul, May 29, 2009.

A woman holds a candle to mourn for deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in front of riot police near his memorial altar arranged by citizens in Seoul May 29, 2009.

Casualties from Honduras earthquake reach 56

TEGUCIGALPA, May 28 -- At least six people were killed and another 50 were injured in a powerful earthquake that struck Honduras's Roatan island early Thursday, the authorities said.

A man works to clear the debris in front of collapsed supermarket "La Antorcha" after an earthquake in El Progreso May 28, 2009. A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Honduras on Thursday, killing at least five people, knocking down flimsy homes and causing damage in neighboring Guatemala.

The quake occurred at 02:24 local time (0824 GMT) off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of the beach town of La Ceiba, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

Some 60 houses and scores of other buildings across the north of Honduras were wrecked. The quake also caused damages to 42 municipalities in the country.

Honduran Education Minister Marlon Breve has canceled school activities on Roatan island.

The quake also triggered a tsunami alarm in Central America and the Caribbean region.
(Xinhua)

One killed, seven injured in NW Pakistan blast

ISLAMABAD, May 28 -- At least one person was killed and seven others injured Thursday evening in a huge blast on a check post in the northwestern Pakistani city of Dera Ismail Khan, local TV channels reported.

The blast near the Town Hall in Dera Ismail Khan caused several vehicles nearby on fire, according to the private Geo TV.

Following the blast, power supply to the city has also been suspended.

This is the fourth blast in a day in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Two policemen were killed Thursday evening in a suicide attack on a check post on the outskirts of Peshawar, the NWFP capital.

Policemen secure the streets of Peshawar after multiple bomb attacks in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province May 28, 2009. Two bombs exploded on Thursday in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar killing six people and gunmen on rooftops ambushed police as they arrived at the scene, officials and witnesses said.

Two other blasts in the busy bazaar in Peshawar killed at least five people and injured over 100.

The attacks came hours after Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the Wednesday's huge suicide bomb attack in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, which killed around 30 people.

Hakimullah Mehsood, spokesman for Taliban movement said that his group had carried out the Lahore attack and will do more in the days to come.

The security forces launched operations against Taliban militants late April after they refused to vacate the Buner district neighboring the Swat district of the NWFP as promised and challenged the writ of the government.
(Xinhua)

Tickets for 2010 World Cup final sold out

JOHANNESBURG, May 28 -- The second phase of ticket sales for the opening match, semi-finals and the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup have been sold out, the South African Press Association cited FIFA as saying on Thursday.

The second phase had seen 105,322 tickets confirmed and approved so far.

"Due to a high demand for certain team specific ticket series, these tickets are no longer available for the following countries: England, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Ireland and Netherlands," the world football body said in a statement.

"It is no longer possible within the current sales phase to purchase match tickets for games taking place in Cape Town, Nelspruit and Tshwane/ Pretoria."

Individual match tickets for the opening match, the two semi-finals, and the final were also unavailable in this phase.

However, team specific ticket series tickets, which allow supporters to follow the team of their choice, were available for the opening match, semi-final and the final.

If their team is eliminated, the team specific ticket allows the buyer to follow the team that progresses into the next round of the competition.
(Xinhua)

Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game against Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, the United States, May 27, 2009.

WASHINGTON, May 27 -- The Los Angeles Lakers outclassed the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter for a 103-94 hard fought win in the game five of the Western Conference finals, earning the top seeds a 3-2 lead in the series.

All-Star guard Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and reserve forward Lamar Odom contributed 19, along with 14 rebounds, as the Lakers maintained home court advantage.

The best-of-seven series shifts to Denver for Friday's Game Six.

Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 31 points for the Nuggets, who led 73-66 late in the third quarter before the Lakers finally took control of the match.

Pau Gasol (front) of the Los Angeles Lakers vies for the ball during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game against Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, the United States, May 27, 2009.

Carmelo Anthony (R) of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, the United States, May 27, 2009.

Kenyon Martin of Denver Nuggets (R) tries to dunk the ball over Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles, the United States, May 27, 2009

Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final basketball playoff game against Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, the United States, May 27, 2009.
(Xinhua)

Injured Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett stands on the bench before the start of Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series against the Orlando Magic in Boston, Massachusetts May 12, 2009.

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- Boston forward Kevin Garnett underwent surgery on his right knee on Tuesday and it was a success, said Boston team president Danny Ainge.

Garnett averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in 57 regular season games but was unable to play in their first round win over Chicago and seven-game loss to the Orlando Magic in the quarter-finals.

Garnett played a key role in last year's playoffs, leading the Celtics to a National Basketball Association championship.
(Xinhua)

Barcelona players celebrate with the trophy following their Champions League final soccer match against Manchester United at the Olympic stadium in Rome May 27, 2009. Barcelona completed an historic treble with a 2-0 win over holders Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on Wednesday night.

Barcelona players celebrate following their Champions League final soccer match against Manchester United at the Olympic stadium in Rome May 27, 2009. Barcelona completed an historic treble with a 2-0 win over holders Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on Wednesday night.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) vies with Barcelona's player during the UEFA Champions League final soccer match between Manchester United and Barcelona in Rome, Wednesday May 27, 2009. Barcelona completed an historic treble with a 2-0 win over holders Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on Wednesday night.

Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland returns the ball during the women's singles second round match against Li Na of China at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 27, 2009. Li advanced to the next round after winning 2-0.

Li Na of China returns the ball during the women's singles second round match against Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 27, 2009. Li advanced to the next round after winning 2-0.

Nadal sets new record, Safina unstoppable

PARIS, May 25 -- Rafael Nadal eclipsed another mark on his signature red clay court, extending the longest all-win run at the French Open to 29 matches on Friday.

By beating Brazil's Marcos Daniel 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round, the current world number one bettered Bjorn Borg's record of consecutive victories at Roland Garros which dated back to the 1978-81 seasons.

Roger Federer began his quest for the only Grand Slam title that had eluded him in impressive style as the second seed was never troubled by Spaniard Alberto Martin and cruised through with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win.

In contrast, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, also biding for an elusive Roland Garros title, was made to work in a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 tough win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Also struggling through was Maria Sharapova. Her eagerly-anticipated return to Grand Slam was far from perfect as the former world number one apparently had to fight back for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Belarussian Anastasia Yakimova.

The Russian, ranked at a lowly 102 after a nine-month absence to cure a shoulder injury, said that her return feels like a second career has just get underway.

"Definitely. It's the first time in my life where I couldn't practice for such a long period of time," said Sharapova. "Everything about it was just bizarre. It was like some things were just taken away from your life."

Russian player Maria Sharapova serves to Belarus' Anastasiya Yakimova during their French Open tennis first round match at Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Sharapova won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

She warmed up for her first big event since injury by playing singles at the low-key Warsaw event last week.

Women's top seed Dinara Safina dismantled Anne Keothavong 6-0, 6-0 earlier in her opening match.

The Russian produced a devastating display of power and aggression to whitewash Roland Garros newcomer Keothavong, 25, in 61 minutes on centre court.

Safina, bidding for a maiden Grand Slam title, was surprised by such an easy start.

"I came on the court expecting a good match and tough one because she had been playing good in Warsaw. She made semis," the 23-year-old said.

She raced through the first set as her crashing forehands left Keothavong chasing shadows and was equally ruthless in the second, refusing to give any chance even when her 48th-ranked opponent had three game points at 6-0, 3-0 down.

Safina said she concentrated on the match too much to feel sorry for her opponent and revealed that the British number one exchanged a word with her while shaking hands on court.

"After I shake her hand she said at least you could give me one game. I could imagine it's not nice to feel on the court, but I was just so into myself.

"I think I was playing with my head like into the match. I just was playing point by point. It ended up like that," Safina said.

Safina, clearly the tournament favorite, said that she would not be affected by what people expected from her.

"I'm not really pay attention to what the people saying. The most important thing is I play my game day by day, match by match. How far I can get, God knows."

Dressed to kill, Nadal emerged onto Centre Court wearing a bright pink shirt with yellow bandana. But the Spaniard, having won four French Open titles in a row, took time to get going his pursuit for a historic fifth as he survived a tiebreaker in the first set before resurging from 3-1 down in the second.

Daniel, 30, can look back with much pride on a match in which he broke Nadal's serve three times.

The player ranked 97 enjoyed his time on the big stage, pushing his prestigious opponent onto the back foot on a number of occasions.

"Roland Garros always is difficult. When I start, normally I didn't start to play my best here the last four years," Nadal said, "but the important thing is being with positive mentality and trying to win. I won in three sets. That's important."

In other men's action, Davydenko outplayed Stefan Koubek in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 and Andy Roddick played the best he has on clay for several seasons, also breezing past French wildcard Romain Jouan 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Asia had a successful day at the expense of French hopes.

No. 15 seed Zheng Jie of China thumped Stephanie Cohen-Aloro 6-1, 6-3 and Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn advanced with a 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 win over Camille Pin.
(Xinhua)

Real Mallorca's players celebrate a goal during their Spanish first division soccer match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 24, 2009.

MADRID, May 24 -- Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid on Sunday lost 3-1 at its home Santiago Bernabeau Stadium to Mallorca, which is in the relegation zone, in the last match of the Spanish soccer league.

Real scored the first goal in the 19th minute through Gonzalo Higuain, but the team's play was mediocre in general.

Mallorca equalized in the 25th minute with a Juan Arango goal. Cleber Santana and Alhassane Keit added one goal apiece.

Many players fielded by Real were playing their last match for the team, including Fabio Cannavario, who will move to Turin team Juventus.

Real Madrid's Arjen Robben (L) fights for the ball with Real Mallorca's Dudu Aouate during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 24, 2009

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (in white) heads the ball to score during their Spanish first division soccer match against Real Mallorca at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 24, 2009.

Real Madrid's Arjen Robben (R) heads the ball during their Spanish first division soccer match against Real Mallorca at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid May 24, 2009.
(Xinhua)

Spanish First Division President Angel Maria Villar (R) presents the championship trophy to Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol as Barcelona's president Joan Laporta (L) applauds at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009. Barcelona were gifted their 19th Liga title without kicking a ball on May 16 when second-placed Real Madrid were beaten 3-2 at Villarreal.

Barcelona's players celebrate with their Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009.

Barcelona's captains Xavi Hernandez (L) and Carles Puyol (R) celebrate with their Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009.

Barcelona's Thierry Henry gestures with teammates in front of the trophy for the Spanish first division soccer tournament at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009.

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta holds up the Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009.

Barcelona's players pose with the Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009

Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol (R) and Xavi Hernandez hold up Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009

Barcelona's players pose with their Spanish first division soccer league trophy at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 23, 2009.

olympic spirit

Bremen lifts German Cup

Djokovic and Dementieva stunned, Federer and Serena fight through

"Turtle Bay" in submarine world of E China's Qingdao

Wrestling between chameleons

Public funeral of Roh to be held at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul

Casualties from Honduras earthquake reach 56

One killed, seven injured in NW Pakistan blast

Tickets for 2010 World Cup final sold out

Lakers defeats Nuggets for 3-2 lead in NBA Western Conference finals

Celtics forward Garnett undergoes surgery

Barcelona crowned European champions

Chinese Li wins Swiss Bacsinszky 2-0, advances to next round at French Open

Nadal sets new record, Safina unstoppable

Barcelona celebrates 19th Liga title

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