The Sport Review: “Nick Heidfeld replaces injured Robert Kubica at Renault” plus 5 more |  |
- Nick Heidfeld replaces injured Robert Kubica at Renault
- Barcelona are still favourites, says Wenger after thrilling win
- Andy Murray pulls out of Dubai Championships
- Cricket World Cup: England edge past Canada in warm-up
- Raúl breaks Filippo Inzaghi’s European goalscoring record
- Video special: Five of Ronaldo’s greatest moments
| Nick Heidfeld replaces injured Robert Kubica at Renault Posted: 16 Feb 2011 04:38 PM PST
Nick Heidfeld has been confirmed as Renault's replacement for the injured Robert Kubica after impressing the team in testing at Jerez last weekend.The 33-year-old staked his claim for the seat after topping the time-sheet in southern Spain on his first day of testing with the Enstone-based team. The veteran of 172 race starts has been unattached since leaving Sauber at the end of the 2010 season, after replacing Pedro de la Rosa for the final six races following spells as Mercedes reserve driver and then Pirelli test driver. "I would have liked to come back to Formula One in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance," Heidfeld said. "Everything has happened so quickly, but I've been very impressed by what I have seen so far in terms of the facilities and the dedication of the people at Enstone. "I really enjoyed the test last week in Jerez and I've already settled in well with the guys at the track. "I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I'm extremely motivated and can't wait for the season to begin." Heidfeld was always the favourite to replace Kubica as the most experienced driver not contracted for 2011, and his experience from 11 years in the sport will allow the team to fully develop the R31 once the season gets under way. Bruno Senna also got an opportunity to drive the car at Jerez, but with just one season in F1 at struggling Hispania in 2010, the Brazilian was never really in contention for the drive. "The team has been through a very difficult couple of weeks and we had to react quickly," said Renault team principal Eric Boullier. "We gave Nick a chance in Jerez last week and he really impressed us. He's quick, experienced and is very strong technically with his feedback and understanding of the car. "We always said the priority was to have an experienced driver in the car and we feel he is the ideal man for the job. We are pleased to welcome Nick to the team and look forward to a strong start to the season with him and Vitaly in Bahrain." Heidfeld will make his second appearance for the team on Friday morning for pit-stop practice at the start of the Barcelona test, as well full days of running in the car on Saturday and Monday. Confirmation of Heidfeld's appointment comes on the same day Kubica underwent a final operation on his elbow, with the Pole expected to remain at the Santa Corona Hospital for a further two weeks to allow doctors to monitor his progress before beginning his rehabilitation. Despite Kubica's determination to return before the end of the season in November, Renault could stick with Heidfeld for the entire season to ensure Kubica undergoes a complete rehabilitation and to limit any problems being out of the car could cause. Should Kubica return before the end of the season the team would have to request special dispensation for him to experience some mileage in the current car, with a ban on in-season testing still in place. |
| Barcelona are still favourites, says Wenger after thrilling win Posted: 16 Feb 2011 04:26 PM PST
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, 16 FEBRUARY 2011  Arsenal 2  Barcelona 1 Arsène Wenger refused to get carried away after seeing his side conquer Barcelona for the first time – and insisted the Catalan giants are still favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.Wenger's men fell behind to a typically clinical David Villa finish after 25 minutes before two late strikes gave the gunners a precious lead to take to Camp Nou in three weeks' time. Robin van Persie’s 78th-minute drive beat goalkeeper Víctor Valdés at his near post and moments later substitute Andrey Arshavin stroked home Samir Nasri’s pass to seal a famous victory for the north Londoners. But despite hailing his side's resilient performance in what proved to be an enthralling, fast-paced encounter in north London, Wenger believes his Premier League outfit are still the underdogs going into the return leg. “I am highly delighted. It was a special football night,” said Wenger. “The game promised a lot and fulfilled that promise. It was two exceptional teams who tried always to be positive. “We are not favourites now, but what is important is the belief that we have a chance. Barcelona are still favourites. We know now that we can beat them, though. We did not know that last year. “Tonight gives us a chance to to go to Barcelona with belief. Every game is difficult but we will prepare well and be highly focused.” The Spanish champions found their passing rhythm early on and denied Arsenal possession for long spells throughout the clash but the Frenchman was thrilled to see his side keep their composure without the ball. “Against Barcelona you are exposed many times when they have possession but we kept resilient and strong,” Wenger continued. “The problem with their possession is that if you are a fraction late you are in trouble. You have to be tight with the marking and if you don’t it is difficult. He added: “We were prepared mentally to live with that. Usually we have the ball more than our opponents but we knew tonight that 60 per cent of the time we would have to be focused on them.” Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola was quick to praise Arsenal’s style of play but warned the north Londoners that his side will be fully focused on winning the return leg. “I think we were okay. We have lost the first leg so we have to win the second leg,” he said. “We controlled the play for most of the match but we know they can play very well positionally. “They are very good and very fast when they counter-attack. If we analyse this result it is not too bad.” Guardiola added: “I think in general I am happy with the performance. But we need to score goals in the second leg. They will attack and we will attack too.” |
| Andy Murray pulls out of Dubai Championships Posted: 16 Feb 2011 07:01 AM PST
World No5 Andy Murray has been forced to withdraw from next week's Dubai Championships with a wrist injury.The British No1 had suggested he would take a break following his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open in January, but instead opted to play in Rotterdam a week later, where he was beaten in the first round by Marcos Baghdatis. “Andy has withdrawn from the forthcoming ATP World Tour 500 event in Dubai due to a wrist injury. Andy would like to apologise to both the tournament and its fans," read a statement on Murray's website. The 23-year-old Scot, who struggled to overcome a hangover from last year's defeat to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, is not scheduled to play again until the Indian Wells Masters on 10 March. Meanwhile, Murray is on the hunt for another big-name sponsor after ending his deal with Scottish mineral water firm Highland Spring last month. The Scot had been sponsored by the water brand since 2006 in a deal believed to be worth £1m-a-year deal and his representatives are now understood to be in talks with a number of firms about endorsing him. |
| Cricket World Cup: England edge past Canada in warm-up Posted: 16 Feb 2011 06:36 AM PST
Unconvincing England edged past lowly Canada by just 16 runs in their first ICC World Cup warm-up match in Fatullah.Stuart Broad took 5-37 on his return from injury to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as Rizman Cheema's 93 took Canada to within sight of England's 243. Matt Prior rescued the England innings with 78 alongside Jonathan Trott, who passed 50, as England's other batsman failed to fire in what was a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign. After electing to bat, skipper Andrew Strauss was caught behind for just 1 before surprise opening partner Kevin Pietersen and Trott took the score to 50. But Pietersen went immediately after and his dismissal sparked a worrying middle order collapse as both Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood fell in single figures. Prior’s arrival at the crease alongside Trott temporarily steadied the ship. Their partnership reached 54 when Trott was caught, triggering another flurry of wickets as Sussex pair Michael Yardy and Luke Wright fell in quick succession to Henry Osinde. However, Broad was on hand to offer some much-needed support to Prior and the pair put on what proved to be a vital 51-run stand. James Tredwell and Ajmal Shahzad provided some momentum in the final overs as both reached double figures before England lost their last wicket in the final over. Broad and Shahzad then tore through Canada’s top order to leave them reeling at 28-5, but Cheema began his demolition of the English attack with steady help from his fellow lower order. He peppered the boundary with 10 fours and 5 sixes to fire Canada to 156 before Broad returned to remove him. But Khurram Chohan, Hiral Patel and Harvir Baidwan calmly took Canada ever closer to the target before Broad struck again to take the final wicket of Chohan for 44 and spare Engand’s blushes. England face Pakistan on Friday in their final warm-up match before their tournament-opener against the Netherlands on Tuesday. |
| Raúl breaks Filippo Inzaghi’s European goalscoring record Posted: 16 Feb 2011 05:59 AM PST
Spanish striker Raúl has broken the record for the most goals in European competition history after netting Schalke’s equaliser in Tuesday nights’s 1-1 draw with Valencia.The former Real Madrid captain’s strike in the Champions League last-16 tie took his tally to 71, surpassing the benchmark set by AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi earlier this season. Valencia had taken an early lead through Roberto Soldado but Raúl drew the Bundesliga outfit level with a trademark finish in the 64th minute. “It was no fluke that’s a genuine goalscorer we are seeing here,” said Schalke coach Felix Magath. “His marker has to come the long way round and Raúl knows it – he knows exactly where he’s going to put it. The special thing about him is that he works so much for the team as well.” Schalke team-mate Christoph Metzelder added: “He’s created history – in his first match back in Spain he scores. I’m very happy for him.” Raúl began his professional as a 17-year-old graduate of the Real Madrid youth system in 1994 and became the youngest player to play for the senior side. The former Spain international scored 323 times in 741 appearances for Los Blancos and became the first player to reach 50 Champions League goals in 2005 when he netted in Real’s 2-1 group-stage victory over Olympiakos. Raúl swapped the Bernabéu for the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen last summer, where he has scored 13 in 31 appearances for the Bundesliga club. |
| Video special: Five of Ronaldo’s greatest moments Posted: 16 Feb 2011 03:37 AM PST Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, who helped his country to two World Cup trophies and is still the tournament's top scorer, hung up his boots this week.“The head wants to go on but the body can’t take any more,” said the 34-year-old. “I think of an action but I can’t do it the way I want to. It’s time to go.” In honour of one of football’s greatest all-round strikers, The Sport Review takes a look back at five of the greatest moments of his glittering career. 1) Incredible solo goal against Compostela 2) Winning the 2002 World Cup 3) Hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford 4) Breaking Gerd Muller’s World Cup record 5) Firing Corinthians to the 2009 Campeonato Paulista |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Sport Review To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment