US Open Men's Finals preview: Swiss Maestro vs Latin Giant

One is the GOAT. The other is the outstanding rookie. Meet Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, the finalists of 2009 US Open Championship. Both are extremely talented and both use their powerful groundstrokes as their main weapon. Federer is here thanks to his win over Novak Djokovic in straight sets while del Potro was simply lethal in his victory against world's no 2 Rafael Nadal. Both Federer and del Potro had shown outstanding tennis and great form in the past two weeks. However, who will prevail in the end? You can have only one winner out there.

It is extremely difficult to predict the champion tonight. As mentioned above, both Federer and del Potro are hitting their form in the right time. The way Juan Martin del Potro dispatched Nadal in the semifinals is very terrifying. He constantly hit brutal, flat groundstrokes deep into Nadal's baseline and gave Nadal no chance to play his own game. Federer is also very classy and dominant in the other semifinals. One of his most memorable shot was on the third set, where he hit the winner between his legs, leaving Djokovic and the audience in awe. Therefore, both are evenly matched in terms of performance. However, just like the women's finals yesterday, experience is very important. This is del Potro's first Grand Slam final compared to 21st final for Federer. Del Potro will surely will feel a little bit nervous playing in a very high stake match. So I think Federer have the edge in the final tonight. Once again, experience will prevail in the end.

BTW, congratulations to Kim Clijsters who won yesterday women's final by beating my favorites Caroline Wozniacki 7-5,6-4. It was a remarkable comeback for Kim after two years of retirement. For Caroline, she is still young. I am sure she will have many more opportunities in the future.

Pss: To Caroline, I hope she will never wear the dress that she wear in this championship again. That dress is nice only for Maria Kirilenko. She looks so much better in the sporty outfit...............

2009 Le Tour de France Route

Stage 1: 15km ITT around Monaco.

Stage 2: Monaco → Brignoles(182km)

Stage 3: Marseille → La Grande-Motte(196km)

Stage 4: 38km TTT around Montpellier.

Stage 5: Le Cap d'Agde → Perpignan(197km)

Stage 6: Girona (ESP) → Barcelona (ESP)(175km) finish with 1.7km climb to Montjuic Park.

Stage 7: Barcelona (ESP) → Arcalis (AND)(224km) via Port d'Oliana(7.7km climb at 7.1%) and summit finish at Ordino Arcalis(10,6 km climb at 6,1%) ski resort

Stage 8: Andorra-la-Vella (AND) → Saint-Girons(176km) via Port d'Envalira(23,2 km climb at 5,1%), Col de Port(11,4 km climb at 5,5%) and Col d'Agnes(12,4 km climb at 6,5%).

Stage 9: Saint-Gaudens → Tarbes(160km) via Col d'Aspin(12 km climb at 6,6% ) and Col du Tourmalet(17 km climb at 7,5%).

Stage 10: Limoges → Issoudun(193km)

Stage 11: Vatan → Saint-Fargeau(192km)

Stage 12: Tonnerre → Vittel(200km)

Stage 13: Vittel → Colmar(200km) via Col de la Schlucht(8,9 km climb at 4,1%), Col de Platzerwasel(8,7 km climb at 7,6%) and Col du Firstplan(8,4 km climb at 5,4 %).

Stage 14: Colmar → Besançon(199km)

Stage 15: Pontarlier → Verbier (SWI)(207km) via Col des Mosses(13,8 km climb at 4%) and summit finish at Verbier(8,8 km climb at 7,1%) ski resort.

Stage 16: Martigny (SWI) → Bourg-Saint-Maurice(160km) via Col du Great Saint-Bernard(24,4km climb at 6,2%) and Col du Petit Saint-Bernard(22,6km climb at 5,1%).

Stage 17: Bourg-Saint-Maurice → Le Grand-Bornand(169km) via Cormet de Roselend(18 km climb at 6,1%), Col des Saisies(15,1 km climb at 6%), Côte d'Arâches(6,3 km climb at 7%), Col de Romme(8,8 km climb at 8,9%) and Col de la Colombière(7,5 km climb at 8,5%).

Stage 18: 40km ITT around Lake Annecy

Stage 19: Bourgoin-Jallieu → Aubenas(195km)

Stage 20: Montélimar → Mont Ventoux(167km). Summit finish at Mont Ventoux(21,2km climb at 7,6%).

Stage 21: Montereau-Fault-Yonne → Paris Champs-Elysees(160km)

Blackburn drowned or Liverpool burned?

Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers. Another easy match on paper, yet another match that can delivers title blow for the Reds. After two draws in a row, Liverpool must wake up, especially their strikers. Robbie Keane must proves himself that he is not a flop at Liverpool. If not, it is a time for Rafa to find another striker during this January. Maybe Santa Cruz? Owen? Or give the youth strikers like Kriztian Nemeth a chance. Another solution is starts Ryan Babel as centre forward. He looks promising, just lack of confident because lack of playing time. But not David N'Gog. He was terrible during last match against West Ham.

For midfielders and defenders, they did play quite well actually. Just need to add a little bit of creativity and surely they can create a lot of good chances for strikers to finish. One more thing. I just want to see Emiliano Insua(above) plays at left back position. With Aurelio out injured and Dossena crossed the ball like rugby player, Rafa should gives these young Argentinian a chance at top level.

Prediction

Liverpool 2-0. Courtesy of Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt. Blackburn defenders is too weak. Five goals conceded against MU second team. So don't think they can give troubles to Liverpool.

My team

Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Caragher, Insua, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera Babel

Krizstian Nemeth

EPL Preview: The Clash of the Reds & The Clash of the $$$$$

Today is probably one of the most exciting week in the EPL eventhough it is still early in the season. As early season pacesetters, Liverpool and Chelsea will face stern test to stay at the top of the table after this weekend. Both their opponents today come from the city of Manchester, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The most anticipated match today will pits Liverpool with their long time nemesis, Manchester United. Analysing the current form, I doubt Liverpool can overcome Red Devils. Even a draw is very difficult if they continue to play ugly like their 1st three games. However, anything can happens in football. If Rafa can get it right this time added with luck, i'm pretty sure Liverpool can beat Red Devils for the 1st time in the league under Rafa's reign. They already received huge news with magnificient Torres and superb Gerrard declared fit to play. But they must be careful with United especially with the striking force of Rooney and Berbatov. They look very dangerous and can cause problems to Caragher and co. Overall I hope Liverpool will overcome Red Devils and stay at the top of the table. (psss: Hope Robbie Keane can score to silences Fergie)

The other big match today, dubbed 'The Clash of the Cash' is between Roman Abramovich's Chelsea and Manchester City owned by Arabian billionaire. It is interesting to see how Robinho will make his debut for City after one of the most bizarre transfer saga in the history of EPL. Robinho was poised to come to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid until the new owner of City, the Sheikh from UAE hijacked Chelsea's bid and stole Robinho under Scolari's nose. Scolari was very dissapointed with this news and also expressed his concern about lack of new players in Chelsea. Since then, City's owner clearly expressed his intentions to capture more international stars in the future. May be next year we can see a fantasy football team in City? I hope this will not happen as I think it will destroys the EPL. Back to the game, I think it will be a draw between this two teams. About the teams news, Chelsea lost Michael Essien for about seven months after he was injured during his national duty. They are also without Michael Ballack who had knee injury. For City, Martin Petrov (knee) is definitely out and Michael Johnson (groin) is doubtful. Lastly, enjoy this weekend and Selamat Berpuasa to all Muslims in the world.

Euro 2008:1/4 Finals Preview:Germany vs Portugal

After 12 days since opening match, finally 8 strongest teams from this year Euro were identified. The biggest casuality is France who failed to emerge from 'Group of Death'. Both the hosts also eliminated from their own group respectively. Tonight, the first quater final is between two 2006 World Cup semi finalist, Germany and Portugal.

Portugal finished their group in 1st place with two win and a loss with second string team againts Switzerland while Germany was second in their group behind suprise package Croatia. On the paper, Portugal has very strong squad especially in attacking area. Christiano Ronaldo(please go to Real Madrid!!) will try to emulates his club form for his country and lead Portugal frontline. He will be backed by very strong midfield with the names like Deco and Quaresma who are very skillful individually. Add tough defence lead by Chelsea trio of Ricardo Carvalho, Jose Bosingwa and Paolo Fereira, Portugal will be very difficult to beat. But we already know that Germany performs very well at major tournaments. They have experience as advantage and will try to use it as a weapon to holds Portugal. I think the key for Germany is their midfield. If Ballack and co manage to stop Portugal from controls the game, I can see Germany in semi final.

What about penalty shootout?
I think Portugal will win if the game is decided by penalty. I don't know why but my instinct say Portugal has the advantage in penalty shootout. After all, they beat England twice with penalty shootout in last two major tournaments. So I think Portugal will go through if the tie go to penalty shootout.

Statistics from Eurosport
Suspended: None

Misses next match if booked: Jose Bosingwa (Portugal), Miguel (Portugal), Jorge Ribeiro (Portugal), Paulo Ferreira (Portugal), Fernando Meira (Portugal), Michael Ballack (Germany), Jens Lehmann (Germany)

Injured: None

Changes: Germany coach Joachim Loew is expected to replace striker Mario Gomez with midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger who returns after suspension. That should allow Lukas Podolski, who has been playing on the left side of midfield, to partner Miroslav Klose in attack.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who made eight changes to the team that faced Switzerland, is expected to revert back to the lineup that started the first two matches.

Key stats: Portugal's 2-0 defeat by Switzerland on Sunday was only the second time in 22 matches they have failed to score - they also drew a blank in a 0-0 draw at home to Finland in November last year in qualifying for Euro 2008.

Portugal have not lost in their two previous European Championship finals matches with Germany - a 0-0 draw in 1984 and a 3-0 win in 2000 with a hat-trick by Sergio Conceicao.