lingzi
Age: 35
Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: 南极洲
|
|
FLORENCE, Italy -- Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon plans to continue playing through the 2014 World Cup, which will likely make him the Azzurris all-time appearance leader. Chris Cook Jersey . "Im not thinking about the end of my career, Im 34 and I think I look pretty good. Plus, Im in great physical condition and Im full of enthusiasm," Buffon said Tuesday as Italy prepares for its opening World cup qualifiers against Bulgaria on Friday and Malta four days later. "Most importantly, Ive got a lot of desire to win and when youve got all those things put together then you can keep going," Buffon added. "When one of those three components starts to diminish, Ill be the first one to raise my hand and make myself a new life." Fabio Cannavaro holds the record for Italy appearances with 136, followed by Paolo Maldini with 126, then Buffon with 120. Buffon already passed Dino Zoff (112) for the goalkeeper record. Buffon faced a storm of controversy when it was revealed in May that he had his banking records examined on suspicion he made large bets, but he bounced back to help Italy to the final of the European Championship, saving a penalty kick from Ashley Cole in the shootout win over England in the quarterfinals. "Im not as reactive as I once was but Im better now than I was during my times with Parma," the Italy captain said, referring to the club he began his career with. Buffon made his debut for Italy in 1997 as a 19-year-old, coming off an ice-cold bench to replace the injured Gianluca Pagliuca in a playoff at Russia for a spot in the 1998 World Cup. He led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title by not allowing any opponents to score in regular play over seven matches, giving up only an own goal from Cristian Zaccardo and a penalty from Zinedine Zidane. A back problem forced him out at halftime in Italys opener of the 2010 World Cup and he never returned as the Azzurri were handed an embarrassing first-round elimination as defending champions. But he put the injury behind by leading Juventus to the Serie A title last season, followed by a stellar performance in Poland and Ukraine. Besides looking ahead to the next World Cup in Brazil, Buffon will also be competing in the Champions League again this season, with Juventus back after a three-year absence. Christian Ponder Elite Jersey . Boxing promoter Yvon Michel said Monday that Stevenson (18-1) bruised his left hand while sparring in Detroit. Chris Doleman Jersey . -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hopes he never has to endure another five-interception game. http://www.vikingsfansroom.com/adrian-peterson-jerseys . After nearly getting ejected in the third inning, Verlander kept his composure to pick up his 12th straight decision on the road, Prince Fielder homered and the Tigers built an early lead before holding on for a 6-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. Charlie Johnson Jersey . This week, they discuss the Toronto Raptors signing Demar DeRozan to a four-year deal, the Atlanta Falcons, Rory McIlroy and the shooting range in Port Coquitlam, BC. Adrian Peterson Camo Jersey . The Atlanta Braves arent complaining. Medlen, who started the season as a little-known reliever, had a career-high 13 strikeouts and the Braves pulled out a 2-1 victory over the first-place Washington Nationals when Andrelton Simmons scored on a throwing error in the ninth inning Friday night. WIMBLEDON, England -- The Brits know how to stage a coronation, and theyll do so Sunday for either regal Roger Federer or one of their own, Andy Murray. Queen Elizabeth II has another commitment, but the former Kate Middleton and the British prime minister will be on hand to see who reigns at Wimbledon. You can see the match live on TSN and TSN.ca on Sunday beginning at 9am et/6am pt. Plenty of history will be written in the mens final at tennis most tradition-rich tournament. Federer can add to his record 16 Grand Slam championships, and he would tie a record by winning Wimbledon for a seventh time. He also would claim the ATPs top ranking for the first time since June 2010, and match Pete Sampras record of 286 weeks at No. 1. "Theres a lot on the line for me," Federer said. Murray, meanwhile, is merely trying to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam title since Fred Perry took Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships in 1936. "It has been a great tournament so far," Murray said. "Ive just got to try to keep it together for the final." Britains abuzz. Even without the queen, the Royal Box is certain to be packed, along with the rest of Centre Court. Tickets are going for more than 2,600 pounds ($4,000). Thousands have bought 8-pound ($12.40) grounds passes to picnic near Wimbledons practice courts on the grassy hill known these days as Murray Mount, watching the match on a huge video screen. Loyalties will be divided. Brits love Federer, the celebrated Swiss whose graceful game is so well suited to the All England Club. Hell receive sentimental support because he has endured a reign delay, going 2 1/2 years without a major title while being eclipsed by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Now, at 30, he could become the first thirty-something man to win Wimbledon since Arthur Ashe in 1975. Allegiance for the stolid Murray is more a matter of geography, and even then its complicated. Hes a native of Scotland, where theres a campaign afoot to break away from Britain. Whenever Murray loses, the English tend to call him Scottish, not British. But for the moment, when it comes to lawn tennis, the United Kingdom is united. Brits invented the game and, in 1877, started Wimbledon. Theyve won the mens title 35 times, more than any other country, but not since before World War II. And no British woman has won Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977. Londoners have accepted the championship drought with good humour, especially where Murray is concerned. Waitresses at restaurants in Wimbledon village roll their eyes at the mention of his name. Last Sunday at the villages Emmanuel Church, when the pastor noted from the pulpit that Brits are rooting for Murray, the congregation responded with groans and giggles. It doesnt help that he has been beaten in the semifinals each of thhe past three years, nor that he has lost every set in his three Grand Slam finals, including against Federer at the 2008 U. Jared Allen Limited Jersey. S. Open and 2010 Australian Open. A breakthrough victory came Friday versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, making the 25-year-old Murray the first British man to reach the final since Bunny Austin in 1938. "People have been talking for 10 years that finally he was going to be the one to do it," three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said. "There were starting to be questions. He shut that talk down. Its rather amazing, because some people were starting to wonder, including myself, whether this day would actually come." A part-time resident of Miami, Murray said he draws inspiration from Miami Heat star LeBron James, who was much maligned before winning his first NBA title last month. Murray has also benefited from the help of Ivan Lendl, his coach since the start of the year. Lendl lost the first four Grand Slam finals he played, then won eight major titles. The Scotsman speaks in a mumbling monotone, and on court he tends to go about his business like a condemned man. At the French Open in May, Wade described him as "a drama queen." But while Murrays no Federer when it comes to style, some find appeal in his broad repertoire of shots. "I love watching Andy play, because I think its so exciting," said Serena Williams, who won her fifth womens title Saturday. "You never know what hes going to do. Hes running every ball down. He looks tired, and then he comes back. I think its awesome. Hes really one of my favourite people to watch. If thats being a drama queen, its really exciting." Murrays accustomed to carrying the weight of a skeptical countrys hopes. Shouts from the stands of "Come on, Andy" have been common for years at Wimbledon, and are occasionally heard at matches where Murrays not even a contestant. "There is obviously a lot of pressure and stress around this time of year," he said. There will also be pressure on Federer, whos mindful of his place in history. He beat defending champion Djokovic on Friday to reach the final for the first time since 2009, and now he has a chance to tie the tournament record of seven titles set in the 1880s by William Renshaw -- an Englishman -- and tied in 2000 by Sampras. "Its a big match for me, and I hope I can keep my nerves," Federer said. "Im sure I can." Like London bookmakers and most other observers, Sampras considers Federer the favourite. "But if Andy serves well and gets aggressive and can get the crowd behind him and use a little bit of destiny, he can pull it off," said Sampras, speaking by phone from his home in Los Angeles. "Too bad its on at 5 in the morning. Im going to have to TiVo it." ' ' '
|
|
|
|
|
|
