By Oluwafemi Adefeso

By Oluwafemi Adefeso 

D'Tigers Lose First Friendly In the US

Credit: Hector Contreras

The Nigerian Basketball Team fell 82-86 to Venezuela in a game that served as a build up to both teams Continental aspirations. Despite leading for most of the game, the Nigerian team lost their way in the fourth as a barrage of three pointers from Venezuela sent the game into overtime.

With a starting five of Ben Uzoh (pic), Stan Okoye, Jamal Olasewere, Michael Eric and Olumide Oyedeji, the Nigerian team came out strong and it showed as they took the first half 33-27. D’Tigers looked in control throughout the game, with former New Jersey Nets guard Ben Uzoh showing his quality from the point guard position, Uzoh was proving very difficult to stop keeping his dribble in tight situations, and when he was not able to find the open man, he converted easily on a series of nifty moves to the basket. On the inside, Lagos born Centre, Michael Eric who was making his debut for the National team was a threat on both ends of the floor, his ability to play with his back to the basket coupled with his defensive strength gave the Venezuelans problems throughout contest.

Another player who impressed on his debut was NEC player of the year Jamal Olasewere. Olasewere’s strength and speed caused a lot of problems for the Venezuelans on the open court, and defensively he provided the team with a lot of steel.

As the game went on, the Nigerian team were unable to take advantage of a once comfortable lead, as the Venezuelans fought their way back into the game. With seconds left in regulation, Venezuela hit a three from the left corner to tie the game, and although Ben Uzoh would score on the ensuing possession, the basket was waived off as it was deemed to have come right after the buzzer. Overtime saw the Venezuelans grow in confidence as they continued from where they left off, and despite the efforts of Michael Eric to bring the team back, D”tigers will leave it a little to late as the sound of the final buzzer finally came. The team must now regroup for the next two games which will also be against Venezuela in Florida. More players are expected to join the team as camp continues. Game 2 is on Monday 29th July in Orlando,Florida.

 Courtesy: Team Nigeria Basketball

West Beat East In WNBA All Star Game.

By Oluwafemi Adefeso

West Beat East In WNBA All Star Game.

The 11th Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star game was held on Saturday, July 27 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The festivities, was played for the third time in the Connecticut Sun home court in their franchise history.

The West continued their dominance over the East with a 102-98 Victory. Their 8th win since the WNBA Allstar game was initiated.

Candace Parker(LA Sparks) got MVP of the 2013 WNBA All-Star game setting a scoring record of 23 points in the star-studded matchup.Parker's monster stat line 23 points and 11 rebounds that included 10-13 shooting from field goal range sweeping Swin Cash's (Chicago Sky) record of 22-points 12 rebounds in 2009 at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Connecticut.

WNBA All-Star Game featured nine first-time All-Stars, one shy of an all-time record. Highlighting the group of first-time selections is a pair of reigning award winners from the Los Angeles Sparks – guard Kristi Toliver, the WNBA’s 2012 Most Improved Player, and frontcourt player Nneka Ogwumike, the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Guards Allison Hightower (Connecticut Sun), Ivory Latta (Washington Mystics), Danielle Robinson (San Antonio Silver Stars), and Shavonte Zellous (Indiana Fever), as well as frontcourt player Glory Johnson (Tulsa Shock), round out the list of players who made their All-Star,

Nigeria Cricket National team taking part at the Pepsi International Cricket Council, World Cricket League division 6, in Jersey bounced back from yesterday's defeat to host nation Jersey by beating Bahrain with 8 wickets.

   The Asian side who won the toss and batted first were reduced to 104 runs all out in 33 overs, no thanks to opening Bowler Saheed Akolade, who grabbed 6 wickets while his efforts was complemented by in-form Seye Olympio, who also had 3 wickets.
Insipid batting from opening Batsman Segun Olayinka with 50 runs not out ensured that Nigeria coasted to their third victory in four games.

     The Nigerian team had earlier defeated Vanatu, Kuwait, before the Bahrain victory but lost to Jersey and will be hoping to beat South American nation, Argentina with a qualification to the World Cricket Division 5 all to fight for.

Atletico Miniero were crowned Copa Libertadores Champion for the first time after beating Paraguayan opponents Olimpia in penalties.

After a 2-0 deficit in the first leg in Asuncion, the Brazilian side, coached by Cuca, managed to wipe out their deficit inside 90 minutes thanks to goals from Jo and Leandro Silva.

Following a goalless extra time period they then edged the shoot-out 4-3,prompting scenes of jubilations in the camp, with former Ac Milan and Barcelona playmaker, Ronaldinho, saying" I came back to Brazil for this"

The opening goal came in the second minutes of the second half as Ronaldinho,crossed and Wilson Pittoni failed to clear properly,allowing Jo to beat Martin Silva. 

A header from the same player was kept out by Silva following a Ronaldinho free kick, and Olimpia's hopes were hit when defender Julio Menzor was given a marching order with six minutes remaining.

In the Shoot-out Aletico Miniero's Alecsandro, Guilherme, Jo and Leandro Silva all converted, while goalkeeper Victor saved Miranda's opening attempt that put Olimpia in trouble.

The title was decided with Gimenez hit the post from Olimpia's fifth as Atletico Miniero earned a place in the Fifa Club World Cup to be played in Morroco in December.

Sassuolo beat Milan 2-1 to win the Trofeo TIM, but the game was marred by Kevin Constant storming off due to alleged racist abuse.

This was the decider of the Trofeo TIM after Juventus lost to Milan on penalties and beat Sassuolo in another penalty shoot-out The final 45-minute match at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia rounded out the evening.

The first goal of the summer tournament arrived after four minutes, as Andrea Petagna pounced on a poor Jonathan Rossini backpass and shrugged off the goalkeeper to deposit into an empty net. The striker turned 18 last month and is a star of the Milan youth team.

A Robinho strike was charged down and Bianco went close for the hosts with a backheel flick wide from a corner.

Another defensive error handed Sassuolo the equaliser, as goalkeeper Gabriel’s pass to promising Canadian-Italian midfielder Bryan Cristante was intercepted and Gaetano Masucci blasted it low into the near bottom corner.

Robinho wasted a golden opportunity with poor finishing moments later and was booed off the field by Milan fans. His rapport with the supporters has been damaged by the on-again off-again move to Santos that nevermaterialised.

Petagna pounced on another howler and this time desperate FrancescoManganelli defending prevented Andrea Poli from taking the lead. AlbertoPomini also required a tough save on Petagna’s snapshot.

The evening took a very nasty turn after 34 minutes when Kevin Constant suddenly kicked the ball into the stands and stormed off into the locker room. He said he heard a racist insult, but nobody else on the field appeared to. Milan sent on a substitute and the referee followed protocol by sending out a message over the tannoy system warning the game could be suspended.

It was similar to the incident that saw Kevin-Prince Boateng leave during a midweek friendly against Pro Patria, but that was after repeated racist chanting and the rest of the team followed him.

Cristian Zaccardo scored, although he was in an offside position.

Milan ended the game with 10 men, as Cristante committed a secondbookable offence. This too had seemed ready for penalties, until Masuccisprung the offside trap from a Gomes through ball and kept his cool to side-foot past Gabriel.

That goal completed Masucci’s brace and gave Sassuolo the 13^th edition of the Trofeo TIM. Sassuolo end the tournament with four points, followed byJuventus on three and Milan two.

 Barcelona have announced that Gerardo Martino is to take over from Tito Vilanova  as the club's coach on a two-year contract.

Argentina Martino, led Newell's Old Boy to the Argentinian clasaura title last season and recently severed his ties with the club.
 Martino who hails from Rosario,where Barca's World Player of the Year,Lionel Messi was born and was a a favourite player of Messi's father during his attacking midfielder with the Newell's Old Boys.

He played for Spanish side Tenerife, as well as Lanus in his homeland, Barcelona SC in Ecuador and O'Higgins in Chile.


Martino nicknamed Tata,was manager of Paraguay from 2007 to 2011-guiding them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup before returning to Rosario,s based  Newells Old Boys as boss for the last two seasons.

A Barcelona statement reads" FC Barcelona have reached an agreement to appoint Gerardo Martino has the new coach of the football team for the next two seasons.

Tito Vilanova stepped down as  coach to continue his treatmet of a cancer throat after leading Barcelona to the la liga title in his first season in charge after the departed Pep Guardiola.

 A host of clubs had been linked to the Barcelona job,including former Barcelona 'B' coach Luis Enrique, Micheal Laudrup, Marcelo Bielsa and Guus Hiddink who resigned his position at Russsian Club, Anzhi-Makhachkala.

MILAN DON'T NEED NEW BUYS

Silly season has started all over Europe. Between June and August 31, the football world goes into overdrive with no rumour seemingly off limits. ZlatanIbrahimovic to Napoli? Why not? Lionel Messi to Monaco? That’ll work. But despite all the nonsense and hokum that is spouted over the summer transfer window, genuine, bona fide deals have been struck in Serie A.

Clubs all over the peninsula have seen big names out of the door, but crucially parted with cash to see other marquee players come back in.Fiorentina let Stevan Jovetic go to Manchester City for €30m, but reinvested some of that for Bayern Munich hitman Mario Gomez and Palermo’s Josip Ilicic. Inter have been incredibly busy, gambling on young starlets Ishak Belfodiland Mauro Icardi.

Under Rafael Benitez, Napoli are coming to terms with Edinson Cavani’s exit by splashing out on Real Madrid pair Raul Albiol and Jose Maria Callejon, with Los Blancos teammate Gonzalo Higuain expected to arrive at the Partenopeivery soon.

Juventus have added to their already world-class squad by signing up CarlosTevez and Fernando Llorente for the grand total of €9m.

Lazio have brought in Anderlecht’s highly-rated midfielder Lucas Biglia and, just as good as a signing, seem set to keep hold of star playmakerHernanes. On the other side of the capital, new Roma boss Rudi Garcia has opened up the American cheque book for Mehdi Benatia, Douglas Maicon and Morgan De Sanctis. Even Parma have got in on the act – Antonio Cassanohas left the bright lights of San Siro and shacked up at Stadio Ennio Tardini.

That then, just leaves Milan. The Rossoneri. ‘The Most Successful Club in World Football,’ as they so often tell everyone. Rumours have been circulating all summer over potential signings for Massimiliano Allegri’s men.Ilicic was on the verge of a transfer, but chose the Viola instead. Adem Ljajicwas meant to be on his way, but Robinho stayed put and the deal was off.Keisuke Honda has been signalling his intent to sign for the Diavolo for months – so far, nothing.

Some fans may bemoan the lack of ‘names’ coming into the club, but in this age of upheaval for the Italian top flight, is it in fact a good thing? With so many top teams making huge changes this summer, will Milan’s squad and managerial consistency actually be to their advantage in 2013-14?

We saw last season that the departures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva,Pippo Inzaghi and a number of legends affected the team in a huge way. By October, losses to Udinese, Atalanta, Lazio, Inter and Sampdoria had all but ended their Scudetto challenge. But just one defeat post-Christmas showed the Rossoneri faithful that there was still something to shout about.

Mattia De Sciglio is a year older, Stephan El Shaarawy has a campaign under his belt. If the Confederations Cup is anything to go by, Mario Balotelli is as sharp as ever. This young team has gotten over the shock of losing a dozen of their best players and proved in the second half of last term that they are a match for anyone.

All this, added to the fact that Silvio Berlusconi stuck with Coach Allegri is proof positive that the Diavolo can challenge for the title come August, no matter who they do – or don’t – sign this summer