London 2012 Olympics: Tom Daley inspired by Pete Waterfield

Posted on July 29, 2012 by adminsports

Daley's quest for Games gold inspired by Team GB synchro partner Waterfield

UPDATED:

18:08 GMT, 29 July 2012

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Tom Daley has revealed his desire for Olympic glory was first inspired by his platform synchro partner Pete Waterfield.

Daley will bid to win his first Olympic medal alongside veteran Waterfield at the Aquatics Centre on Monday in a wide-open field in the high board team event.

But as the duo put the finishing touches on their preparations, Daley made the admission that Waterfield's silver medal in the event at Athens 2004 was a major motivation in the early part of his career.

Quest for gold: Tom Daley (left) says that synchro partner Pete Waterfield (right) has inspired him

The 18-year-old described the chance to dive alongside father-of-two Waterfield as 'surreal' after he recollected tuning in to watch his partner claim Britain's only Olympic diving medal for the past 52 years.

'I was 10 years old when Pete won his Olympic silver medal. I was staying in the family caravan down in Newquay,' he said.

'I was sat in the caravan trying to tune the TV in so I could watch it. I was watching the whole thing and thinking “wow” he's an Olympic silver medallist.

'That is my dream to compete in the Olympic Games and win a medal.

'I was fortunate to compete in Beijing but not even then did I think I'd be able to compete as a synchro team with Pete after watching him in Athens 2004. It's quite surreal actually.'

In sync lads Daley and Waterfield will compete in the men's synchro diving

An Olympic medal is the only major honour to have eluded Daley during his decorated young career so far.

The Plymouth diver was crowned world platform champion as a 15-year-old in Rome three years ago while in May he reclaimed the European title he first won aged just 13.

Daley's European success came in the midst of career-best form, in which he twice improved his personal best, while he was also crowned individual and synchro platform champion at the World Series.

Stiff competition: Daley and Waterfield must overcome China's Cao Yuan (top) and Zhang Yanquan if they are to win gold

Those performances have prompted belief that Daley could upset his Chinese rivals over the next fortnight, starting tomorrow.

Daley and Waterfield will face a fiercely-competitive field, however the Chinese will send out arguably their most vulnerable combination at these Olympics.

Teenage duo Cao Yuan and Zhang Yanquan will be competing at their first Olympics while they are short on major international experience having only taken over as China's first-choice team since last year's World Championships.

That has opened up the field for the likes of Germany, Russia and Great Britain to potentially steal a rare gold away from the Chinese.

It is a pressure that Daley is welcoming as he looks to fulfil his Olympic dream.

'Pressure isn't a bad thing. I quite like pressure going into a competition,' he said.

'Divers either handle pressure or they don't. For me I've had pressure going into competitions for a long time now.

'It's something that I am used to. I've had the Olympic experience in Beijing and had the pressure environment from there.

'For me pressure should bring out the best in you because you have that extra adrenaline rush.'

Daley also hinted the pressure of a 17,500 capacity Aquatics Centre could help to knock the Chinese off their stride, adding: 'If you put pressure on the Chinese and pressure on other divers then they are more likely to falter.

'It's about whether they've learned to deal with the pressure or whether they've got used to that.

'You take off the board and land in the water in 1.6 seconds. You hit the water at 34mph. In between that gap anything can happen.'

Shake it off: Daley dries himself after a practice session last week

Good form: Daley is hoping to build on his World Championship gold medal

London 2012 Olympics: Michelle Obama supports Serena Williams in her Games quest

Posted on July 29, 2012 by adminsports

Serena inspired on Olympic quest by support from Michelle Obama

UPDATED:

21:05 GMT, 28 July 2012

Olympics 2012

Serena Williams returned to Centre Court on Saturday, three weeks after winning her fifth Wimbledon singles, title and made a winning start to her Olympic campaign – with America’s First Lady Michelle Obama in her corner.

The wife of the President of the United States was in the Williams family box, as the personal guest of Serena’s sister Venus, and saw Serena progress smoothly through her first-round match against Jelena Jankovic, 6-3, 6-1.

Face in the crowd: First Lady Michelle Obama supports Serena Williams against Jelena Jankovic

Up and running: Williams made a winning return to Wimbledon

‘It was great seeing Michelle there,’ said Serena. ‘It just made me want to play better. We’re here for our country and to play well. I loved her dress, which is always nice.’

Steven Finn backs Andrew Strauss as England captain

Posted on April 26, 2012 by adminsports

Finn supports Strauss to battle through dip in form and stay as England captain

UPDATED:

18:29 GMT, 26 April 2012

Steven Finn retains supreme faith in his club-and-country team-mate Andrew Strauss as England captain.

Dual Ashes-winning Test captain Strauss' position has become a fevered topic as he has endured a vain quest to date for his 20th Test century, since his 19th came in a famous Brisbane draw 17 months ago.

England will nonetheless begin the first Investec Test against West Indies at Lord's next month as the world's No 1 team.

Down in the dumps: Andrew Strauss is enduring a poor run with the bat

Strauss has led from the front in England's rise from unpromising beginnings, since becoming permanent captain in 2009.

Fast bowler Finn said: 'He is England captain for a reason. He deals with these situations very well.'

Finn was present last week when opener Strauss' hopes of morale-boosting runs for Middlesex against Durham at Lord's realised just six in two attempts – bowled in both innings by Graham Onions.

'It won't have bothered him too much that he didn't get any runs in that first match,' he added. 'He is not out of nick.'

While Strauss' travails, or otherwise, are sure to dominate cricket headlines up to and including that first match of three against the Windies at least, Finn knows his priority is to get his own house in order.

Enjoying the early season: Steven Finn

He has done that to significant effect, with few opportunities, over the winter – having been able to add just one Test cap, in the series-levelling draw against Sri Lanka in Colombo this month, to one last year too.

The 23-year-old continues nonetheless to be depicted as one of the world's premier emerging fast-bowling talents thanks to his exploits with the white ball in limited-overs formats.

After a winter dominated by spin, and with Chris Tremlett out injured, his chance will surely come this summer.

He finished with seven for 98 against Durham – Onions took 10 in the match – but said: 'You can't take anything for granted.

'I enjoyed my winter away, and I feel like I did myself justice.

'My game has come on a fair bit since I played in those Ashes Test matches 14 or 15 months ago.'

Neither Finn, in that one 2011 Test, nor the rest of the England attack were at their best against Sri Lanka at Lord's last year.

'Lord's is a tricky place to bowl if you haven't bowled there for a little while,' he said. 'It can take a bit of getting used to. But the slope is a great asset as well, because it keeps you in the game all the time.

'You're not going to bowl well every single game, and collectively we just didn't really get it right. But we didn't lose that match either.'

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2: Cristiano Ronaldo to the rescue

Posted on April 22, 2012 by adminsports

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2: Ronaldo to the rescue as Mourinho's men secure vital win in La Liga title quest

UPDATED:

20:40 GMT, 21 April 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo finally stood up to be counted in a Clasico as record-breaking Real Madrid took a giant step towards wrestling the Primera Division title from Barcelona's grasp.

The debate over who is better out of Ronaldo or Barca counterpart Lionel Messi has raged for some time now, but unlike the former, the latter has always been able to call on an impeccable record in this fixture.

On Saturday, though, Ronaldo stepped up, scoring a 73rd-minute winner that puts Jose Mourinho's men seven points clear of their old foes at the top of the table with four games remaining.

No 1: Victory gave Real a seven point lead in the title race

Strike back: Cristiano Ronaldo scored immediately after Barcelona's equaliser

MATCH FACTS

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano (Pedro 75), Busquets, Xavi (Sanchez 69), Thiago, Iniesta, Messi, Tello (Fabregas 80).

Subs not used: Montoya, Pinto, Keita, Pique

Goals: Sanchez 70

Booked: Busquets, Alves, Mascherano

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Cristiano, Ozil (Callejon 88) Di Maria (Granero 74), Benzema (Higuain 90).

Subs not used: Adan, Kaka, Granero, Marcelo, Albiol

Booked: Pepe, Alonso, Ozil

Goals: Khedira 17, Ronaldo 73

He struck just two minutes after
Alexis Sanchez had bundled in an equaliser to cancel out Sami Khedira's
equally scrappy first-half opener – a goal that set a new record for
goals in a league season.

It was the Portugal forward's standout
contribution on a night when Madrid, humiliated 5-1 on this ground last
season, strangled their normally free-passing hosts.

Messi was barely allowed a kick and
his playmaking team-mates – Xavi and Andres Iniesta – were largely
stifled by a Madrid side fully aware of the rewards on offer.

Mourinho shaved his head at the start
of the week to signal he was ready to “go to war”, but the game never
really ignited to such levels.

There were chances – Barca rookie
Cristian Tello wasting a number of them – but the gameplan laid out by
the Portuguese coach was clearly to drain the life out of the home side.

Super-sub: Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to score

It worked a treat and, at times, allowed his men to look like the passing team.

They started well, with Ronaldo's
fourth-minute header forcing Victor Valdes into a full-stretch save and
Karim Benzema cutting in from the right and drilling in an effort that
the keeper dealt with.

Madrid were enjoying making full use
of the Nou Camp's wide pitch and, when Ronaldo burned past Sergio
Busquets on the left, the midfielder hauled him down and picked up the
game's first booking.

Delight: Sami Khedira and his Real Madrid team-mates celebrate after his opening goal

Scrappy: Khedira bundled home the opener after defensive tomfoolery from Carles Puyol

That was indicative of the early
promise Real had shown and, with 17 minutes on the clock, they took the
lead with their 108th goal of the campaign.

Mesut Ozil's corner found Pepe at the
back post and his header was parried by Valdes but, as Carles Puyol
struggled to get his legs free to clear, Khedira wrapped his foot around
the loose ball to score from two yards.

Replays suggested the ball may have
clipped Pepe's arm as he nodded down, but any decision to rule out the
strike would have been harsh.

Going nowhere: Lionel Messi could not make his usual mark on the game

Battle: Javier Mascherano challenges Karim Benzema

Leap: Ronaldo duels for the ball with Puyol

The goal was met with near silence, much like when Xavi missed a wonderful chance to equalise 10 minutes later.

Messi's slide-rule pass put him clear
on Iker Casillas' goal, but he could only hit across and wide, rather
than under the keeper as was expected.

Swamped whenever they had the ball,
Barca resorted to shooting from distance through Thiago, while at the
other end Ozil's pace got him clear, with Javier Mascherano's brilliant
block halting his run.

Brave: Iker Casillas dives in as Dani Alves hurtles over the top

Mind games: Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are not fond of each other

Messi

pepe

Surprise and expectation: Messi found it hard going, while Pepe picked up a yellow card

Edge: Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao beats Alves to the ball

Whether directed at half-time by
Mourinho or not, Real returned for the second half with the intention of
slowing the game down, with a number of players including Pepe and
Fabio Coentrao both requiring treatment for what appeared to be
innocuous injuries.

Their tactics were frustrating
Barcelona, though, who could barely get close to Casillas' goal and,
when they did, Tello twice hit wildly over – the second occasion a
horrendous spoon that cleared the bar.

But Tello was persistent, and in the 70th minute, he helped Barcelona get level.

The goal had an element of pinball
about it, with Casillas denying Tello and Sanchez in quick succession –
the second save a wonderful claw-back – before the Chilean eventually
bundled in from close range.

Bad week: Guardiola lost to Chelsea and could not get the result he wanted against Madrid

But, rather than implode as they have done so often in this fixture over recent years, Real responded with class.

Ozil's ball set Ronaldo racing down
the right and past Mascherano, although his 54th goal of the season was
made easier by Valdes' decision to race off his line.

Clearly stunned, Barca offered no
response of note and it was Real who finished the stronger, with Ronaldo
inches away from adding a crowning third in stoppage time.

Dimitar Berbatov says not playing for Manchester United is painful

Posted on March 10, 2012 by adminsports

Not playing regularly is painful, insists United striker Berbatov

UPDATED:

16:07 GMT, 10 March 2012

Dimitar Berbatov has admitted it hurts to be little more than a bit-part player in Manchester United's Premier League title quest – but is ready and willing to make an impact when required.

The Bulgarian has made just 10 league appearances so far this season, only half of which were starting spots.

He scored on the last occasion, against Stoke on January 31, but was not even on the bench for the win over former club Tottenham a week ago.

On target: Berbatov scores for United against Stoke in January

It is not quite how Berbatov thought his career would pan out when he joined United from Spurs for a club record 30.75million in 2008.

'It's just about being ready,' he told United Review.

'We have a big squad and you know sometimes you are not going to play.

'It's sad and it's painful but you need to be strong and be prepared for when your team-mates need your help. We are a team and we want to win together.'

Despite his lack of appearances, Berbatov is still United's joint third top scorer with an overall tally of nine.

That figures includes five in two games against Wigan and Blackburn just after Christmas.

'Every time I have played I think I have done well,' he said.

'I'm ready and waiting whenever the boss gives me a chance to show my quality and deliver. I want to do as much as I can to help us win the title.'

Magic moments: Key goals from Berbatov, like this winner at Blackpool, helped United to the title last season

Berbatov will be hoping for some involvement in Sunday's encounter with West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.

Leaders Manchester City play at Swansea at the same time and Sir Alex Ferguson has already noted Blues boss Roberto Mancini getting involved in the mind games he has been so adept at playing, the Italian claiming last week that United would win at Tottenham a day before the match was played.

Ferguson said: 'We were better in the second half and ran out winners – just as Roberto Mancini said we would… welcome to the mind games Roberto, by the way!'

Ferguson views that 3-1 victory as 'pivotal' although he acknowledges there are a few twists and turns still to come.

'I am pretty sure we will experience some hectic finishes this March, as the pace hots up with the finishing line in sight,' he said.

'But I think we can count on the players getting to grips with the situation.'

Samir Nasri: Carlos Tevez should say sorry and help Manchester City again

Posted on February 21, 2012 by adminsports

Just say sorry, Carlos! Nasri issues Tevez plea in bid to boost City's trophy charge

Samir Nasri has urged Carlos Tevez to apologise to manager Roberto Mancini so that he can help Manchester City in their quest for glory.

City face Porto on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium for a place in the last 16 of the Europa League and are top of the Barclays Premier League.

But Nasri believes City's challenge for silverware would be boosted further if the Argentine rebel returns to duty.

Just say sorry, Carlos: Samir Nasri wants Tevez and manager Roberto Mancini to resolve their dispute

Tevez reported back to the club’s training ground last week after spending more than three months in Argentina without the club’s permission.

The 28-year-old was given his own fitness programme and did not meet Mancini before the Italian flew to Portugal for last week’s Europa League clash with Porto.

With City not in action last weekend, Mancini then gave his players some time off after the Porto game and did not fly back to Manchester with the squad.

Nasri admitted he hopes the situation can be resolved and that Tevez can rejoin the push for the Premier League and Europa League titles.

The Frenchman said: 'I didn’t speak to Carlos.

'I think he is an important player for us and for every team in Europe, because he has quality.

'I don’t know what happened. If he has to apologise, then he has to do it and then he will be in the squad, because we need players of his quality to win the league and the Europa League.

'After that it is for the club and Carlos to deal with.'

Altogether now: City are preparing to take on Porto for a place in the last 16 of the Europa League

Mancini refused to say whether he has met or intends to meet the striker.

He said: 'There is a meeting tomorrow – against Porto.'

Mancini has previously said Tevez must apologise for the events of the past four and a half months before he will consider him for selection again.

Tevez has not played for City since he was accused of refusing to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich last September.

The Argentinian flew back to South America in November and hoped to secure a move during last month’s transfer window.

With no transfer materialising, he returned to City to fight for his place but caused further controversy by claiming Mancini treated him 'like a dog' in a TV interview.

Mancini last week denied he ever treated Tevez badly and said he would not speak about the player for the next three months.

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Tag Archives: quest

London 2012 Olympics: Tom Daley inspired by Pete Waterfield

London 2012 Olympics: Michelle Obama supports Serena Williams in her Games quest

Steven Finn backs Andrew Strauss as England captain

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2: Cristiano Ronaldo to the rescue

Dimitar Berbatov says not playing for Manchester United is painful

Samir Nasri: Carlos Tevez should say sorry and help Manchester City again