To win the cup, you have to beat the best. Maybe Pakistan wasnt at their best during the semi finals against India at Mohali yesterday. But you cant ignore the fact that they were the best in their group. Dropped catches, misfielding, pathetic bowling by Umar Gul and the crawled batting all contributed their part to ensure that India increased its record to 5-0 in the World Cup matches against Pakistan.

So, it will be Sri Lanka vs India at Mumbai on the 2nd of April 2011. Two legends (Sachin & Murali) are playing the last World Cups of their lives. Both are special players who have not only enriched the game but also bought happiness to millions of followers. Both the teams would want to gift the respective players the gift of victory. There is still lots to play.
Again, may the best team win
Above picture courtesy: Cricinfo
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I hope i got the title correct. Spain are the Champions. Blame Google translator if its wrong

The once in 4 years extravaganza comes to an end and Spain get the bragging rights for the next 4 years. The 2008 Euro Champions and now the World Champs, Spain deserve all the praise and respect.

Didnt bother to wake up at 2:30 in the morning to watch the match. I do love the sport, but not as crazy to wake up at unearthly hours to watch the sport. Though i had woken up at more or less the same timings last World cup to watch Italy – France battle it out.

In these times of Financial crisis (with Spain being one of the worst affected countries in Europe), this win will come as a soothing balm for the Spanish people.
Viva Espana.

PS: Thank God, this was not the IPL finals and thank God there was no Lalit Modi. Imagine him droning on and on being the best thing since sliced bread and all the hard work he did to ensure the tournament’s success. Class is surely not something to be associated with either Modi or IPL.
Above pictures courtesy: FIFA
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Posted by Liju Philip | Posted in India, sport, Sports, tennis, zimbabwe | Posted on 05-07-2010
After Saina, its Paes again. Consistency when you are 37 years old is no joke. At a time when tennis players hang up their racquests, Leander Paes is still going strong.

India’s Leander Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe beat South African Wesley Moodie and Lisa Raymond of the US 6-4, 7-6 (5) to win the Wimbledon mixed doubles title here Sunday.

With this victory, Paes surpassed his one-time doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi in winning the most Grand Slam titles for India. Paes now has six doubles and six mixed-doubles titles. Bhupathi has 11 Grand Slam titles — four doubles and seven mixed doubles titles.
Full article here
Above pictures courtesy: Wimbledon
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The South American giants, Argentina & Brazil have joined their counterparts from Europe (England, France, Italy) in being knocked out of the world cup. The only surprise in the line up happens to be Uruguay. The perennial underachievers, Spain and Netherlands are also into the semis. The only consistent team to appear in the semis are the Germans. But at the beginning of the tournament, they weren’t the favored team. The young German team has belied all expectations by battering the favourites Argentina 4-0.

So, this is how the semi final line up stacks up.
Uruguay vs Netherlands on 6th July 2010
Germany vs Spain on 7th July 2010

My money is on a Germany-Uruguay final. But then, have the Germans peaked a bit too early? Spain might be looking at making it a grand double after winning the Euro-2008. The Dutch with all their egos and infighting are capable of making it to the final too.
Pictures courtesy: FIFA
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Seeing an inept, incompetent, overhyped England team being torn to shreds by a German war machine. The English team didnt even deserve to enter the knock out stage of the competition. With France & Italy too gone, the most prominent European teams have exited.

Germany 4-1 England
It would be sad to see Germany and Argentina meeting in the next round as only one can go through. Sad, i love both the teams.
Above picture courtesy: FIFA
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