ekansekans's blog: "df"

OPALENICA, Poland -- Portugal lumbered through the first five months of 2012 looking like a team that was planning only a short stay at the European Championship. The talented Portuguese were winless in three warmup matches and then lost 1-0 to Germany in their Euro 2012 opener. But after netting just one goal in four matches, Portugal finally found its scoring touch in a 3-2 win over Denmark. It only got better from there, with the previously misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo finding the net three times in two matches to put Portugal into the semifinals. With the Real Madrid star on the kind of form that has made him one of the worlds best players at club level, Portugals chances of extending its run at Euro 2012 -- and perhaps even winning the countrys first major tournament -- are suddenly looking better. This team isnt considered Portugals most talented of recent years -- that honour goes to the Luis Figo-led sides that lost in the semifinals of Euro 2000 and the final of the 2004 edition. But coach Paulo Bento does have quality talent to call on -- Real Madrid defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, along with Chelseas Raul Meireles and Manchester Uniteds Nani in midfield. And thats not even mentioning the sublime skills of Ronaldo. Its that sort of top-class talent that brought out around 1,000 fans, many of them kids sporting Ronaldos Real Madrid jersey, for the teams open training session in the western Polish town of Opalenica on Saturday. Serenaded by chants of "Ronaldo, Ronaldo" from the crowd, the Madrid forward and others signed autographs after a light practice session. The players also showed their appreciation for the town, holding up a banner that read in Polish: "Thank you Opalenica." Bentos side next faces either France or Spain, and the Portuguese are under no illusions of how tough a task beating either of those sides will be. "France, they have young squad, a very talented one," Portugal defender Ricardo Costa said. "They play direct football, fast football. They also have a lot of creativity, and they are a difficult opponent for us if we are to meet them." Beating defending European and world champion Spain, which knocked out Portugal in the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, will be no easier. "Spain -- they are a very powerful team. They have the basis of Barcelona and their style of play with a lot of passes and ball possession," Costa said. "Currently theyre playing without a striker, and some say they are struggling a little bit with their tactics. I hope they keep on struggling." Bento, who took over in September 2010 after Portugal earned only one point from its first two qualifiers, said he has no preferred opponent for Wednesdays semifinal in Donetsk, Ukraine. "Weve got no preferences in the semifinals of a big competition like this, as the teams are good teams, with different characteristics, very good players, and are very organized," he said. With Bentos team picking up steam as the tournament goes along, nobody can be looking forward to the challenge of having to face Portugal either. Cheap Jerseys . The report cited anonymous sources and said Armstrong was considering a confession to help restore his athletic career in triathlons and running events at age 41. Armstrong was been banned for life from cycling and cannot compete in athletic events sanctioned by the U.S. Cheap Jerseys From China . "Rick continues to build championship calibre teams and is one of the best field managers in independent baseball. We are pleased that he will remain with the organization for at least the next three seasons," said Goldeyes owner and president Sam Katz. http://facialhairstyleshq.info/cheapjerseys.html .J. -- The New York Red Bulls have traded midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy to the San Jose Earthquakes and an international spot and a conditional draft pick next season. WASHINGTON -- All-Star ace Stephen Strasburg is done for the year after the Washington Nationals decided to end his season following a shaky start, costing him a chance to possibly pitch in the playoffs. Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement Saturday morning with the Nationals holding the best record in the majors. He said the media attention surrounding the innings limit for the 24-year-old right-hander was affecting the pitcher. "I just told Stephen that his year is over. Hes had a great year. I know what hes growing through," Johnson said. "The media hype on this thing has been unbelievable. I feel its as hard for him as it would be anybody to get mentally, totally committed in the ballgame. And hes reached his innings limit. So we can get past this and talk about other things for a change." Johnson said Strasburg was "emotional" about the decision to end his season immediately. A day earlier, the overall No. 1 pick from the 2009 draft matched a career low by lasting only three innings against Miami. "Hes one heck of a pitcher and hes a heck of a competitor," Johnson said. "I know hes been struggling with it for weeks. I know he doesnt sleep good thinking about it." Strasburg went 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA in his first full season following elbow-ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 3, 2010. He struck out 197 in 159 1-3 innings. The Nationals had said Wednesdays start at the New York Mets likely would be his final appearance of the season. John Laannan will make that start and remain in the starting rotation.dddddddddddd Johnson said the decision was his, and pitching coach Steve McCatty and general manager Mike Rizzo were in agreement. "My job is to do whats best for the player. And this is whats best," Johnson said. "If youre not there 100 per cent mentally -- hes a gifted athlete, his velocity can still be there -- but I dont see the crispness. I dont see the ball jumping out of his hand. Im a firm believer that this games 90 to 95 per cent mental and hes only human. I dont know how anybody can be totally mentally concentrating on the job at hand with the media hype to this thing and I think wed be risking more by sending him out." Strasburg allowed five runs in the Nationals 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Marlins on Friday night. "This is a plan we put in place February 1st, weve been true to the plan and we havent wavered from it one bit," Rizzo said. "This is just the culmination of that plan. I believe in my heart that its the right thing to do for the player and the right thing to do for the player is the right thing to do for the franchise." The Nationals had not spelled out exactly how many innings would pitch this season, although there was a lot of speculation that 160 was around the limit. "Hes had a terrific season for us," Rizzo said. "You couldnt ask for anything more coming off his first season off of Tommy John surgery. Hes a huge part of where were at right now." ' ' '