Tag Archives: emotion

Wayne Rooney: Manchester City overhead kick was mad rush of power

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Rooney: THAT overhead kick against City put our noisy neighbours in their place!

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UPDATED:

07:25 GMT, 6 September 2012

Wayne Rooney has revealed that scoring the famous overhead kick that settled the Manchester derby at Old Trafford last February gave him a 'mad rush of power'.

The Manchester United and England striker hit one of his most brilliant goals in the 77th minute of a pulsating derby that put 'our noisy neighbours – the other lot – in their place', according to Rooney.

The goal had extra spice due to the fact that Rooney had only months earlier threatened to quit United, whose ambition he had questioned, and looked set to join City, suddenly flush with Sheik Mansour's billions.

Rooney then performed a dramatic U-turn, snubbing City and choosing to sign a new deal at United in November. Then came that match – and that goal.

Wonder goal: Wayne Rooney scores his winner against Manchester City

Wonder goal: Wayne Rooney scores his winner against Manchester City

In an extract of his new book 'Wayne
Rooney: My decade in the Premier League', which is being serialised by
The Mirror, the 26-year-old forward explains what it feels like to score
such an important goal.

He says: 'Bang! Everything goes dead mad, dead quick.

'Then that feeling kicks in – an unbelievable feeling of satisfaction I get from scoring a goal in the Premier League. Like the sensation I get when I’ve smashed a golf ball flush off the face of the club and watched it trickle on to the green.

'It’s a high, a mad rush of power. It’s a wave of emotion – but it takes me over like nothing else.

'This feeling of putting one away for Manchester United is huge. If I could bottle the buzz, I’d make the best energy drink ever.

'A heartbeat later and I’m at normal speed again, I’m coming round. Everything’s in focus: the sound, a roar loud enough to hurt my ears, the aching in my legs, the sweat running down my neck, the mud on my kit.

'More and more noise; it’s so big, it’s right on top of me. Someone’s grabbing at my shirt, my heart’s banging out of my chest.

'The crowd are singing my name: ‘Rooney, Rooney, Rooooo-neeee! And there’s no better feeling in the world. Then I look up and see the scoreboard:

FEBRUARY 12, 2011: United 2 City 1

GOAL! Rooney, 77 minutes

'Who I am and what I’ve done comes back to me in a rush, a hit, like a boxer coming round after a sniff of smelling salts.

Taking it all in: Rooney celebrates his brilliant goal at Old Trafford last February

Taking it all in: Rooney celebrates his brilliant goal at Old Trafford last February

'I’m Wayne Rooney. I’ve played Premier League football since 2002 and I’ve just scored the winning goal in a Manchester derby – probably the most important game of the season to fans from the red half of town.

'A goal that puts our noisy neighbours – the other lot – in their place. A goal that reminds them United have more history and more success than they do right now. A goal that warns the rest of the country we’re on our way to winning another Premier League title.

'As I stand with my arms spread wide, head back, I can feel the hate coming from the City fans behind me, it’s like static electricity. The abuse, the screaming and swearing, is bouncing off me. I don’t give a toss.

'I know how much they hate me; I can understand where they are coming from though, because I go through the same emotions whenever I lose at anything.

VIDEO: Click here to watch Rooney's brilliant strike against City

'This time, they’re wound up and I’m not. I know it doesn’t get any better than this.

'As I jog back to the centre circle, still tingling, I go into rewind. It’s ridiculous, I know, but I’m worried I might never feel this way again. I want to remember what’s just happened, to relive the moment over and over because it feels so good.

'We close out the game 2–1. Everyone gathers round me in the dressing room afterwards, they want to talk about the goal. But I’m done in, I’ve nothing left; it’s all out there on the pitch, along with that overhead kick.

'The room is buzzing; Rio Ferdinand is buzzing. ‘Wow,’ he says.

London 2012 Paralympics: David Weir wins 5,000m gold

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Weir confirms status as GB's greatest ever male wheelchair athlete with 5,000m gold

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UPDATED:

00:10 GMT, 3 September 2012

David Weir won a stunning gold medal for Great Britain in the T54 5,000 metres on Sunday night, although the drama of the occasion may have been a little too much for his heavily pregnant fiance.

The 33-year-old was Great Britain’s only gold medallist on the track at the 2008 Paralympic Games, winning both the 800m and 1500m in Beijing, and he added a third gold in London after a thrilling race.

Weir’s wife-to-be, Emily, is expecting
their second child in October and struggled to watch the wheelchair
racer in his 5,000m heat on Friday. Heaven knows how she coped on Sunday
night.

Golden boy: David Weir romped to 5,000m gold at Olympic Park

Golden boy: David Weir romped to 5,000m gold at Olympic Park

Golden boy: David Weir romped to 5,000m gold at Olympic Park

The noise inside the Olympic Stadium was deafening as the race entered
the final lap, providing echoes of the cauldron of sound that
accompanied the last 400 metres of Mo Farah’s Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m
triumphs.

But Weir judged it perfectly; staying in contention and taking care not to get boxed in before striking around the final bend.

He held off stern opposition in the home straight from silver medallist
Kurt Fearnley from Australia and France’s Julien Casoli, who took
bronze, to cross the line first in 11min 7.65 secs.

Unusually for Weir, from Sutton in Surrey, he celebrated wildly,
stretching out his arms and screaming with powerful, raw emotion.

Well done: Weir was congratulated after becoming the greatest ever British male wheelchair athlete

Well done: Weir was congratulated after becoming the greatest ever British male wheelchair athlete

‘I put this down to hard work and determination,’ he said. ‘It is tough
to get motivated at my age. But this was the main one – this was the one
I wanted to win the most.

‘I am a championship racer. I get into the right mindset to try my best. You can’t beat this feeling.

‘The crowd gave me a massive, massive lift. It’s indescribable what it does to you.’

Farah made ‘Super Saturdays’ his own during the Olympics, bringing home
two gold medals seven days apart, but Weir’s trademark could yet be
tagged ‘Sensational Sunday’.

Bringing it home: Weir won in front of the home crowd in style

Bringing it home: Weir won in front of the home crowd in style

The wheelchair racer, who enjoys DJ-ing in his spare time, has yet to
defend his 800m and 1500m titles in London and will also contest the
marathon on the final day of the Games next Sunday.

Weir is back in action at 10.40 on Monday morning in the 1500m heats and
will cover more than 35 miles as he bids to better the two golds,
silver and bronze he won in Beijing.

Britain have already won four gold medals in athletics, meaning the team
have doubled their haul of four years ago after just three days of
competition inside the Olympic Stadium.

Derby 5 Scunthorpe 5: Capital One Cup first round thriller settled on penalties

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It was horrible… Scunthorpe boss relieved after shootout ends 5-5 cup thriller at Derby

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UPDATED:

08:55 GMT, 15 August 2012

Scunthorpe manager Alan Knill described his side's victory over Derby in the Capital One Cup first round as the most remarkable match he has seen.

The Iron overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit and went on to beat their npower Championship opponents 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out at Pride Park.

Knill, whose team struck twice in injury time to draw level at 5-5 at the end of 90 minutes, said: 'I can't think I've ever seen anything like that. That has to be the most remarkable match I have ever seen.

Relief: Scunthorpe players celebrate beating Derby after a penalty shootout

Relief: Scunthorpe players celebrate beating Derby after a penalty shootout following their 5-5 draw

'I can't get my head round it. To be honest, it was a horrible game from start to finish and I already feel as though I've been through half a season's worth of emotion.

'We didn't get a tackle in for 45 minutes but when you are in trouble the only thing to do is go forward and have a go. That's what we did and by the end of normal time I felt we were well on top.

'I was confident about our first five penalty takers but wondered how it would go when we got down to the next lot – the ones who were hiding and didn't want to do it.

'In the event they all looked full of confidence and did the business.'

Richard Keogh, Jake Buxton and Theo Robinson gave Derby a seemingly unassailable three-goal lead at the break before Scunthorpe striker Andy Barcham pulled one back seven minutes after the restart.

Comeback starts here: Scunthorpe's Andy Barcham scores their first goal

Comeback starts here: Scunthorpe's Andy Barcham scores the Iron's first goal at Pride Park

Buxton headed home his second within a minute to restore the Rams' three-goal cushion, but the Iron hit back through Mike Grella, in the 63rd minute, and Bobby Grant 10 minutes later.

Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe kept out Robinson's 72nd-minute penalty after David Mirfin's foul on Keogh.

Nathan Tyson headed home Derby's fifth goal in the 83rd minute, but Scunthorpe were not finished and grabbed a fourth through substitute Connor Jennings in the fourth minute of injury time and an equaliser two minutes later when Grant slammed home a penalty following Michael Jacobs' foul on Josh Walker.

Derby manager Nigel Clough said: 'We haven't even started our league programme yet and we are already feeling rotten.

'This was an absolutely bizarre game. We had enough chances to score 15 goals and that was the main failing as far as I am concerned.'

London 2012 Olympics: Michael Phelps wins 21st medal in 100m butterfly

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Make that 21 medals: Phelps romps to ANOTHER gold… and he still has one more shot at glory!

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UPDATED:

20:53 GMT, 3 August 2012

Michael Phelps won the 17th Olympic gold medal of his career, and his 21st overall, when he produced a majestic performance in the 100m butterfly.

It was the final individual race of the 27-year-old's career which will end on Saturday night in the medley relay.

Unstoppable: Michael Phelps beams after winning gold in the men's 100m butterfly final

Unstoppable: Michael Phelps beams after winning gold in the men's 100m butterfly final

The Baltimore swimmer was seventh at halfway, with nemesis Milorad Cavic first, before the American produced a customary storming final length to touch in 51.21secs.

Chad le Clos, who had relegated Phelps to second in the 200m butterfly earlier this week, was second. The crowd rose as one to applaud the most successful Olympian of all time.

The Americans are huge favorites for the relay in a race they rarely lose, and it's difficult to see the Phelps era ending with anything less than a performance that puts him top of the podium one last time.

Too good: Phelps leads South Africa's Chad le Clos (right) at the Aquatics Centre

Too good: Phelps leads South Africa's Chad le Clos (right) at the Aquatics Centre

He said: 'I am just happy that the last one was a win, that is all I wanted coming into tonight. I thought it would hit me harder than it is right now, a lot of those emotions haven't gone through my brain over the last week.

'Once I am done and once tomorrow is over, I think a lot more emotion will come out. I am in meet mode at the moment, you start and it's over.

'My start of the meet wasn't what we wanted but I picked up some steam and was able to finish with two individual golds. You can't really finish much better, so I am really pleased about how it ended.'

Top that: Evegnu Korotyshkin, Phelps and Chad le Clos

Top that: Evegnu Korotyshkin, Phelps and Chad le Clos

Wimbledon 2012: Serena Williams beats Agnieszka Radwanska for fifth title

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Serena beats Radwanska to level Venus' Wimbledon tally with fifth crown at SW19

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UPDATED:

16:41 GMT, 7 July 2012

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An emotional Serena Williams broke down in tears on the Centre Court after completing a comeback from what she describes as a near-death experience with a Wimbledon final win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

The American was unable to stop her voice from breaking as she addressed the crowd after securing her 14th grand slam title, which was also her first since she won at the All England Club two years ago.

A week after that success she injured
her foot when she stepped on some glass in Munich, with the injury
itself and subsequent complications keeping her out for the best part of
a year.

Pure delight: Serena Williams celebrates with the trophy after victory

Pure delight: Serena Williams celebrates with the trophy after victory

Mixed emotions: serena jumps for joy, while Radwanska reflects on a superb tournament

Mixed emotions: serena jumps for joy, while Radwanska reflects on a superb tournament

Mixed emotions: Serena jumps for joy, while Radwanska reflects on a superb tournament

She has since revealed that she nearly
died owing to a undetected blood clot caused by the injury spreading to
her lungs and, after she saw off Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, two years'
worth of emotions came flooding out.

She clambered into the players' box to
celebrate with her family, and then said: 'I can't describe it. I
almost didn't make it when I was in that hospital, but here I am again
and it's so worth it.

'I never dreamed of being here when I was so down but I never gave up.'

Flat out: Serena Williams is overcome by emotion after winning her fifth Wimbledon

Flat out: Serena Williams is overcome by emotion after winning her fifth Wimbledon

Family affair: Venus claps as Serena hugs father Richard

Family affair: Venus claps as Serena hugs father Richard

Williams then turned to her family and
friends, in particular dad Richard, mum Oracene, sister Venus and
physiotherapist Esther Lee, and said: “I thank you from the bottom of my
heart.

'I could never have done this without you when you were with me in the hospital. Thank you so much.'

While Williams shed tears after winning her fifth Wimbledon, Radwanska – on her grand slam final debut – was also emotional.

Show of force: Williams was in unstoppable form

Show of force: Williams was in unstoppable form

She was a doubt to play owing to
a respiratory problem and was hit off the court in the first and third
sets, her serve being broken twice in each.

She saved face with a courageous
second set, and said: 'I have had the best two weeks of my life. Playing
in the wind and rain has not helped me, but I was playing my best.'

After Radwanska's admission about her
illness, Williams' early tactic appeared to be to try to work her
opponent as hard as possible, often hitting wide to the backhand to have
her scrambling and drain her resources.

In full flow: There was no stopping Serena as she wrapped up her 14th Grand Slam

In full flow: There was no stopping Serena as she wrapped up her 14th Grand Slam

In full flow: There was no stopping Serena as she wrapped up her 14th Grand Slam

The move paid off in the shape of a second-game break which came at the third attempt when she forced an already weary-looking Radwanska to fire wide.

The break was cemented with a pinpoint drop shot before she took Radwanska's serve for a second time, albeit through her opponent's fault rather than her own good work with a tame second serve being eaten up.

A 6-0 scoreline was on the cards when Radwanska fell behind at 15-40. She served her way out of danger, but got nowhere near Williams' delivery in the next game as she lost the set.

Fighting back: Radwanska put the woes of the first set behind with a battling display in the second

Fighting back: Radwanska put the woes of the first set behind with a battling display in the second

Fighting back: Radwanska

The players left court quickly after that for a 25-minute rain delay, and Radwanska returned a different player after it.

Initially she was broken in the third
game, offering up two break points after a pair of tame second serves
were turned into winners, but in the sixth she offered hope of a
recovery, taking two points off a previously untouchable serve with two
cute shots.

A break duly followed in the eighth, although she had good fortune on her side in securing it.
Williams, serving at break point, had to re-play an unreturned serve
after it was called out when replays showed it was a foot in. Radwanska
made the most of the let-off, dominating a rally that resulted in
Williams netting.

Running away with it: Serena leaps through the crowd on her way to celebrate with her family

Running away with it: Serena leaps through the crowd on her way to celebrate with her family

That had the battle-thirsty crowd on
their feet and Williams was rattled, letting out a groan as a Radwanska
forehand ripped past her and again when she netted from close range at
30-30 on the Pole's serve.

Radwanska had momentum and the
support on her side and, after a routine hold to 6-5 she broke for a
second time in the set when Williams netted at 15-40.

The match was level. Williams was
still getting chances but, unlike in the first half of the match she was
struggling to take them, with her break-point conversion rate
stretching out to three from 10 over the first three games of the
decider.

Hauled off: Williams and Radwanska leave Centre Court after the first set for a 15-minute rain delay

Hauled off: Williams and Radwanska leave Centre Court after the first set for a 15-minute rain delay

She spurned one in the first game and
two more in the third, giving up on two shots from Radwanska that she
had earlier been covering with ease.

But she fired herself back up with a
perfect service game, winning it to love in 49 seconds with four aces
that took her tournament tally into three figures, before finally taking
a break point when Radwanska went long with a backhand.

She fashioned four more break points
the next time Radwanska had ball in hand too, taking the last of them
when she bravely played a drop shot into the wind.

A raised fist to her family suggested
she knew the end was nigh and, after serving it out to 15, Williams
embarked on a Pat Cash-style climb into the stands to celebrate with
them.

Rangers" crisis sparks fears of financial collapse in Scotland: Michael Walker

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Scottish football faces meltdown: Rangers' crisis sparks fears of collapse

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UPDATED:

21:59 GMT, 4 July 2012

On a day when Rangers were voted out of the Scottish Premier League, the chief executive of the Scottish FA, Stewart Regan, warned of ‘social unrest’, ‘Armageddon’ and ‘the game withering on the vine’ if the club are forced to restart next season below the Scottish First Division.

Regan’s alarming comments came at the end of a day that was already the most dramatic, in terms of structural change, in the 122-year history of the professional game in Scotland. Rangers, formed in 1872, have never been outside the top flight.

The Ibrox club will now discover if they will drop one tier into the Scottish First Division or into the Scottish Third Division alongside semi-professional clubs.

Trouble: The Rangers crisis could have a devastating impact on the SPL

Trouble: The Rangers crisis could have a devastating impact on the SPL

A majority of Rangers fans, alienated by their club’s administration and liquidation and the grassroots backlash against them across the country, would prefer the second option. Regan has now said such a move would ‘kill the game’.

Speaking at Hampden Park following the SPL’s vote to exclude the ‘newco’ — a reformed Rangers company — Regan said: ‘There is a lot of emotion around this subject right now because Rangers are a huge institution in Scottish football history.

‘Rangers fans have been hurt, they don’t know what’s happening. There hasn’t been a great deal of leadership at the club and there hasn’t been a huge amount of communication from the authorities because of legal process.

Snubbed: Newco Ibrox owner Charles Green

Snubbed: Newco Ibrox owner Charles Green

‘Fans are probably not au fait with the implications of Rangers in Division Three: we have a duty to share the facts because without Rangers, there is social unrest, there is a big problem for Scottish society. There has to be an understanding of how serious this is.’

Regan described a drop to the First Division as ‘the only show in town’ and the SFA will aim to convince sceptical chairmen in the division of that. Regan said if Rangers are accepted then the loss to the SPL clubs would be around 5million. If Rangers are forced below, the loss would be closer to 15million next season and for some smaller SPL clubs that could mean administration quickly.

‘There would be a severe financial backlash,’ added Regan. ‘Clubs may be able to survive for a short period but it’s unsustainable. There would be a slow, lingering death for the game in Scotland. There are no winners, there are only losers in this.’

End of the Old Firm: There will be no league clash next season

End of the Old Firm: There will be no league clash next season

The First Division clubs, some of whom have complained of feeling ‘railroaded’, will note the upping of the ante by the SFA, but whether that makes them vote to allow Rangers into their division remains to be seen. There should be a definitive resolution next week.

But if the First Division clubs say ‘no’, Regan has also raised the prospect of a breakaway SPL2. ‘We need the game to change,’ he added. ‘It’s not just a short-term fix for Rangers, it’s about fundamental change. The game is broken.’

Andy Hooper: My favourite picture of the week

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Andy Hooper: My favourite picture of the week

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UPDATED:

21:33 GMT, 1 July 2012

Feeling like a champion: Lukas Rosol celebrates his victory over Rafael Nadal

Feeling like a champion: Lukas Rosol
celebrates his victory over Rafael Nadal

Here we are in the second round and Lukas Rosol provides a better celebration image than we sometimes get from the final.

This is the split second he realises he has won.

Beating the world No 2 Rafa Nadal was the achievement of the week.

It was a mammoth match that went on for three hours 19 minutes.

I thought Nadal would come back and win but Rosol kept up his incredibly high standards.

I was taking action pictures all through the game but really I was waiting for this moment.

At match point some players jump, some fall to their knees others turn away to hide their emotion.

If he had jumped he would have been out of the frame but fortunately he sank to his knees.

After what must have been a gruelling match he still looks fresh faced as though he could happily do it all again!

Camera Data

Nikon D4 and 300mm lens Exposure. 1/800th of a second at F2.8, ISO 1250.

Stuart Lancaster says England looking for revenge against South Africa

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Lancaster: England boys are already looking to 'right wrongs' after South Africa defeat

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UPDATED:

12:41 GMT, 10 June 2012

England head coach Stuart Lancaster claims his players already have their minds set on revenge after their narrow first Test loss to South Africa.

Lancaster's side were edged out 22-17 by the Springboks in the opening game of their three-match series at Durban's Kings Park.

The challenge now gets tougher with the second Test taking place at altitude in Johannesburg and the Springboks' limited preparation time no longer a factor, but Lancaster insists players are far from disheartened.

Improve: Stuart Lancaster's men are determined to do better

Improve: Stuart Lancaster's men are determined to do better

He said: 'The boys are disappointed because they lost. They want to win, that is the primary emotion at the moment.

'But when we look back on it, at half-time we were definitely in a positive mindset and we felt we had the better of the first half, even though it was only 6-6.

'The boys are certainly very positive and the good thing is we have already seen one or two areas we can fix up.

'The players are talking about it already and that is a good sign. They are not downcast and they are feeling there is no chance of turning up next week and not winning.

'If anything, this will be their motivation to right the wrongs we did in this game.'

England fought hard in the first half and twice led with Owen Farrell penalties but both were cancelled out by Morne Steyn.

The Springboks upped the tempo after the break and relentless pressure eventually told as Steyn and new captain Jean de Villiers broke through for tries.

Stuck in: Owen Farrell tackles Francois Steyn

Stuck in: Owen Farrell tackles Francois Steyn

England responded with two more Farrell penalties but another two from Steyn put the game beyond them despite an impressive late consolation from Ben Foden in the corner.

Lancaster said: 'I don't recollect too many clear-cut chances that we created but we definitely created some and put pressure on the Springboks.

'But they defend with pretty much everyone in the line, it is hard to break them down.

'Composure was probably the key word that we need to work on – make sure we play in the right place at the right time but, equally, when we have got opportunities to get the ball off the field we get it off the field.

'Once they were across the gainline, irrespective of how we slowed the contact down or got around the corner, eventually the hard-running South African forwards made a dent into us.

'We need to work defensively and make sure we win that gainline battle. That is crucial for all sides.'

The spirits of the England side revived under Lancaster remain intact.

Consolation: Ben Foden grabbed a late try

Consolation: Ben Foden grabbed a late try

Lancaster has transformed the national side after last year's dismal World Cup and feels the new faces he has introduced will be better for the experience.

Forwards Joe Marler and Tom Johnson both worked hard on debut while full-back Mike Brown shone on his return to the starting line-up, although he has a thumb injury which will be assessed.

Lancaster said: 'It is about building experience.

'We had four or five under-21s in the side.

'For them to come here and play at this level and this intensity – I thought they stepped up remarkably well.

'Mike played as he did for Harlequins throughout the season. He didn't just look safe under the high ball, he was good.

'He has been a long time waiting for his chance and I am really pleased with how he played.'

South Africa-born centre Brad Barritt is England's other injury concern after leaving the field in the second half with a facial injury.

The players who did not feature will get their chance to stake a claim for a place in the second Test in a tour match against the Southern Barbarians in Kimberley on Wednesday.

Lancaster said: 'We need the midweek boys to pitch up and play well, put pressure on us and make sure we have got some good selection decisions to make.'

Euro 2012: Franciszek Smuda concedes pressure got to Poland

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Coach Smuda concedes pressure got to Poland in Euro 2012 opener

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UPDATED:

00:44 GMT, 9 June 2012

Poland coach Franciszek Smuda admitted some of his players wilted under the pressure as they drew 1-1 in a dramatic Euro 2012 opener against Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

The co-hosts went ahead through Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski in a first half which saw Greece go down to 10 men when defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

But Poland could not cash in on their advantage.

Keep calm: Franciszek Smuda went through a gamut of emotion in the opener

Keep calm: Franciszek Smuda went through a gamut of emotion in the opener

Keep calm: Franciszek Smuda went through a gamut of emotion in the opener

Greece rallied in the second half, scoring through substitute Dimitris Salpigidis and then seeing Poland also go down to 10 men when Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for bringing down Salpigidis.

In the end the Poles had substitute goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton to thank for their point when he saved the resulting penalty taken by Greek captain Giorgos Karagounis.

Smuda, however, said: 'I told the players to cheer up, it would have been much worse if we had lost. It is not the end, the tournament is still open.

Pole axed: Wojciech Szczesny receives a red card

Pole axed: Wojciech Szczesny receives a red card

Euro 2012

'Greece are a very experienced team and it is difficult to score against them. It was difficult when we lost the goalkeeper. The situation changed because of the red card.

'We played too much across and backwards in the second half. The Greeks had nothing to lose. They tried and they scored. We now have a few days and we will analyse the match and decide on the 11 for next time. We could see some of the players were paralysed by the pressure.'

Greek coach Fernando Santos insisted Papastathopoulos was harshly dismissed but refused to criticise Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo.

Greece is the word: Dimitris Salpigidis beats Szczesny at the near post

Greece is the word: Dimitris Salpigidis beats Szczesny at the near post

He said: 'When Sokratis (Papastathopoulos) was sent off it wasn't justified but still we succeeded in keeping on the pressure. I totally accept the decision of the referee but it was a difficult situation for us. We were confident and thought we could get in the game again.

'In the end both teams were tired but tried to create chances and we had the best in the second half.'

Santos refused to blame Karagounis for missing the penalty, saying: 'He has scored in the past, this is football. My players did a great effort in the second half.

No mercy: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (centre) pleads with the referee but is still sent off

No mercy: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (centre) pleads with the referee but is still sent off

'After the first 20 minutes everyone did a great job. If we leave aside the first 20 I am really satisfied with all my players.

'I am always confident. We had a strategy to win with our attack but we didn't succeed in the first 20 minutes. We had to change our strategy when our player was sent off.'

Santos also admitted that some of his players were tired after a long season both domestically and in Europe and hinted he will rotate his squad over the next two group games.

Remember the Tyton: Przemyslaw Tyton saves Giorgos Karagounis's penalty

Remember the Tyton: Przemyslaw Tyton saves Giorgos Karagounis's penalty

He said: 'The team had many challenges to face. Players had been in play-offs and had an additional four matches to play. We have three games to play in a short time so we have to handle the players accordingly. Some players will not be fit to play two 90 minutes in a few days.'

James Anderson: It can get fierce but don"t kill off our aggression

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It can get fierce but don't kill off our aggression

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UPDATED:

22:52 GMT, 26 May 2012

There may be those who felt I overstepped the mark when I vented my frustration on the field at Trent Bridge on Friday.

There is no doubt the first day of the second Test ranks among the toughest I’ve experienced.
On the plus side, I managed two wickets and a feeling that I had bowled well. On the minus, a couple of edges flying through the slips and one lbw shout against Darren Sammy, which I thought was extremely close.

I reacted. I let Sammy and Marlon Samuels know exactly what I thought of my luck and though my discussion with umpire Aleem Dar was friendly, he did warn me to be careful not to get too carried away.

Flashpoint: Aleem Dar speaks to James Anderson at Trent Bridge

Flashpoint: Aleem Dar speaks to James Anderson at Trent Bridge

I appreciated Aleem Dar was passing on what he saw as helpful advice and was doing his job.
My view on showing emotion on the pitch is that the authorities need to be careful not to discourage aggression completely as this is the very lifeblood of the game.

Indeed, I fear there is a real danger of the game becoming over-sanitised should it continue to try to discourage people expressing their passion and fight.

Some people just want us to play a nice game of cricket, out in the sun, in the park — but the players in the middle are not like that.

Exchange of views: Anderson and Darren Sammy discuss matters at the crease

Exchange of views: Anderson and Darren Sammy discuss matters at the crease

To me, along with all the skill, athleticism and tactical awareness that make this the best of all games, there has to be a place in the game for good old- fashioned aggression.

All sides know it, expect it and actually relish it. Marlon certainly understood.

He knows there is nothing personal between us. But when you have batted in the series as long as he has, you are bound to be on the end of more chat than those who come and go more quickly.
We are in fierce competition out there, we are both trying to win a game of cricket for our country and sometimes tensions run high.

Reaction: James Anderson cannot hide his dismay as Marlon Samuels adds to his run tally

Reaction: Anderson cannot hide his dismay as Marlon Samuels adds to his run tally

There is no point in playing the game if you are not going to throw yourself into it heart and soul. But when you are out there in the thick of it, you are not thinking about the cameras being on you. You are not thinking about anything except the battle you are in.

Surely the crowd want passion and aggression in their cricket. They don’t want players to be robots.
The game has to have that red-blooded element or it can become bland, sanitised and boring.
Of course, I’m not advocating full scale punch-ups.

But when Marlon Samuels came off at the end of his innings on Friday night, though every single one of us had been into him and ‘chirped’ him and his team-mates on the field, every single one of us shook his hand and said ‘well done’ — and that is the way the game should be played.