SPANISH SPORTS | FRENCH MOTO GP | SPANIARDS VIÑALES - MARQUEZ WIN

SPANISH SPORTS had a more sweet than sour day in the French MOTOGP with victories in the 125 cc  & Moto2 catagories, along with the sour , the unlucky & controversial fall ( more latter) of DANI PEDROSA in the GP catagory which ended in a broken collar bone when in second position.

Spanish Sports Bike rider Maverick Viñales

In the 125 cc catagory the four top places were all for Spanish motorbike riders. The big news was MAVERICK VIÑALES who won today with only 16 years of age claiming the youngest ever rider in Spanish Sports motorbike history to win a GP race. He takes that honour away from Spaniard & current MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. This is how the race finished:

1. M. VIÑALES (SP/Aprilia)
2. N. TEROL (SP/Aprilia)
3. E. VÁZQUEZ (SP/Derbi)
4. H. FAUBEL (SP/Aprilia)
5. J. Zarco (FRA/Derbi)

The 125cc World Championship table currently stands as follows:
1. N. TEROL (SP/Aprilia) 95 pts.
2. S. Cortese (GER/Aprilia) 59.
3. J. Zarco (FRA/Derbi) 53

Marc Marquez wins Moto 2

More good news in the Moto2 category for Spanish Sports with the victory of last years 125cc World Champ MARC MARQUEZ. The Spaniard has had terrible bad luck coming up to this race with falls & mechanical problems, & today he managed to finally get a "break" to show all his class. The race finished with the following top 3:

1. MARC MARQUEZ (SP/Suter)
2. Yuki Takahashi (JAP/Moriwaki)
3. Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex)

The current Moto2 World Championship Top 3 table stands:
1. Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex) 77 pts
2. JULIAN SIMON (SP/Suter) 49.
3. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Suter) 48

Simoncelli causes Pedrosa to fall out

The GP catagory did not go so well for the Spaniards with current World Champ Jorge Lorenzo getting in at the fourth place & Dani Pedrosa falling after a controversial action from Italian Marco Simoncelli that caused an accident, Pedrosa to fall & fracture his collar bone when in second place.

Lorenzo & Stoner had publicly warned this week about the aggressive & dangerous riding style of Simoncelli & that one day his actions would cause a serious accident. Today & with this race,  was the moment as Simoncelli overtook Pedrosa for a second place challenge that Pedrosa had already "won" the path. The late & unexpected incursion of Simoncelli caused Pedrosa to fall & break his collar bone. The race judges punished Simoncelli with a "pit lane" drive through  that gave weight to the "bad action" & what many consider Simoncelli to be, a "kamakazi".

The race was won by Australian CASEY STONER who was brilliant & also had a "moment" with De Puniet during the warm-up with a "flying punch" ( very soft ) that caused a 5.000€ fine for Casey

Final race standings:

1. Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda
2. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Ducati
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Marco Simoncelli (Italy) Honda

Current GP World Championship table standings:

1. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 78 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Australia) Honda 66
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 61
4. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 50
5. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Ducati 47

There is a 3 week break with the next race in Spain (Montmelo).

SPANISH SPORTS | DJOKAVIC WINS NADAL AGAIN IN THE TENNIS ROMA 1000 MASTERS FINAL

SPANISH SPORTS, & especially the Tennis fans, are having a name "tattoed" on their forehead: NOVAK DJOKAVIC. The Serb managed to beat last years ROMA TENNIS MASTERS 1000 Champ & Spanish Nº1 RAFAEL NADAL 4-6 4-6 for a 4th straight time in a Final this year. The Serb is in a "State of Grace" that will take him soon onto the Nº1 World Spot if he can win the upcoming French Open, plus the surface does not seem to be a handicap at all as Djokavic has won on all types, except grass & that may not be a problem either. 

Novak Djokavic

Spaniard Rafael Nadal did not play badly at all, what occurred is that Novak just played better & seems to have the "mental" edge that gives the Serb wings. The only upcoming worry for Nadal in their future "head-to-head" matches is that Djokavic has overcome the "Nadal unbeatable on clay factor" & Nadal may be haunted with doubt in his play against his current rival.

Either way, the Tennis fan is the big winner here as both are giving spectators Tennis from another "Galaxy". We all now look forward to the French Open & if they will meet again. This time the Nº 1 World Tennis Ranking is up for grabs.

SPANISH LEAGUE FOOTBALL ROUND 37 GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE action tonight with all 10 games of Round 37 played simultaneously as Clubs at the bottom end of the ladder are playing their future attempting to avoid the "last ticket" to the 2º Division, & others are attempting to grab the Euro train in the top end of the classification table. Highly charged LIGA with fierce competition & goals. Here is a brief summary of events, results & scorers.

Spanish League Top Goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo

VILLAREAL lost 1 - 3 to REAL MADRID. The big news was the two goals from free-kicks that Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO scored to take his personal goal tally this season in the LIGA to 38 goals. This figure secures him the Top Goal scorer for season 2010-2011 of the Spanish League - "El Pichichi" - & virtually (still not official) the European Top Scorer Golden Shoe (Boot) Award. Added to this the 38 goal figure equals the Spanish Football Historical mark shared with Legends Telmo Zarra (At Bilbao) & Hugo Sanchez ( Real Madrid ), a mark which Ronaldo could overtake in next weeks final Round of La Liga.

Back to the game, Real Madrid dominanted the first half with goals from MARCELO in 17th min & RONALDO in the 22nd min. VIllareal dominated the second half with a goal from CANI in the 49th min & were unlucky not to have equalized. CRISTIANO RONALDO scored the third for the team & his second in the 90th min.

Dominguez scores for Atletico de Madrid 

ATLETICO DE MADRID managed a hard fought 2 -1 victory over already relegated Club HERCULES. Atletico de Madrid played its last game at home this season & Coach Flores left Diego Forlan in the stands as both will not be continuing next season at the Club. The win tonight still leaves Atletico marginally out of the Euro places & will need a victory in the last Round to see what happens.

DOMINGUEZ put Atletico ahead early with his 1st min goal, to see later Atletico goalkeeper De Gea save a penalty from TREZEGUET in the 29th min. However the Hercules forward made up for his mistake equalizing in the 66th min,  to later see REYES score the winner for Atletico in the 71st min.

Sevilla FC secures a Euro place

SEVILLA FC defeated REAL SOCIEDAD 3 - 1 to virtually grab a Euro ticket & put the latter into relegation danger awaiting the last round. The goals came from KANOUTE who scored twice in the 53rd & 60th min with superb headers & team-mate NEGREDO in the 85th min. The goal for Real Sociedad came thanks to AGIRRETXU in the 72nd min. 

Must win situation for Real Sociedad next week.

Getafe breathe with win

GETAFE won OSASUNA 2 - 0 to momentarily get out of the last relegation position & play for their Spanish League future next week. In fact,  both Clubs will be playing for their Liga future in the last Round. The first goal for Getafe was an own goal by Osasuna player FLAÑO & the second came via PEDRO RIOS in the 92nd min.

None are safe!

Deportivo grab a point from Barça

FC BARCELONA with a B side & the Spanish League title celebrations hangover still apparent drew 0 - 0 with DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA. A valuable point for Depor but that does not secure them from disappearing from the Spanish League if they don't get a positive result in the final Round next week.

Athletic de Bilbao holding onto Europe

ATHLETIC DE BILBAO drew with a 10 men down MALAGA 1 - 1 as Bilbao clinches onto its Euro classification position. RECIO put Malaga ahead in the 41st min, but lost defender Demichelis to a second yellow in the 51st min that gave Bilbao ground advantage. Bilboa managed to equalize via a penalty in the 52nd that DAVID LOPEZ converted.

Sporting Gijon saved

REAL SPORTING DE GIJON won 2 -1 RACING DE SANTANDER to secure another year in the Spanish Football League. In fact, both are safe & played a "fluid" match with Racing goalie Mario saving everything & deserves a mention. CHRISTIAN got Racing ahead first in the 31st min , that was followed by Sporting goals in the 44th min via DE LA CUEVAS & the winner via NACHO NOVO in the 51st min.

UCHE scores for Almeria

Relegated Club ALMERIA won 3 - 1 MALLORCA to grab some lost pride. UCHE scored in the 5th min, followed by team-mates ORTIZ in the 14th min & PIATTI in the 31st min. For Mallorca WEBO managed a consolation goal. 


REAL ZARAGOZA won 1 - 0 RCD ESPANYOL which saw paradoxically the home team slip into the last remaining relegation position (Getafe won) & the visitors miss their Euro ticket. The winner came thanks to PONZIO in the 54th min.

Real Zaragoza plays a "do or die" match in the last Round. A must win situation or leave La Liga.

Levante down to 10 men

LEVENTE visited VALENCIA CF & was down to 10 men in the 22nd min when Xisco was set off. Even this did not give a positive result as the match ended in a 0 - 0 draw. Valencia has assured third place & Levante its future next season in the 1º Division.

SPANISH FOOTBALL | ATLETICO DE MADRID & EUROPE

All ATLETICO DE MADRID fans around the global, yes the Club secured a Euro classification position in the League, more concretely the 7th place. But this was not the prime objective, its the least worst scenario as the Champion League (naturally) was the main & important plan being the 4th position the aim currently secured by Villareal.

Happy with the Euro place? Yes, of course, but the 7th place is not a "direct" ticket for the Europa League next season. This will mean that Atletico will have a shorter "summer break" as they will need to play a preliminary knock-out series to qualify. Thus it is not guaranteed at all for the Madrid Club, which is the exception currently for Sevilla & At Bilbao in 5th & 6th position respectively.

Last Round next week & Clubs in 5th, 6th & 7th all with 55 points . Hope that clears some things with the overseas Atletico fans.

Atletico goalie De Gea stops a penalty

UEFA DESESTIMATES ALLEGED RACIST COMMENTS BY FC BARCELONA PLAYER BUSQUETS

UEFA has desestimate today the REAL MADRID claims of serious Racist comments allegedly made by FC BARECLONA player SERGI BUSQUETS towards the Real Madrid player MARCELO. Barça has ratified the UEFA announcement which gives the green light for Busquets to play the Champions League Final against Manchester United on the 28th of May.

The allegations made by Madrid are that Busquets called their player Marcelo,  "Mono, Mono" ( Monkey , Monkey) to which FC Barcelona counter-claimed saying it was  instead "Vaya Morro, Vaya Morro" ( translated roughly: lot of nerve, lot of nerve- or lot of face). Here is a video that captures the moment during the Real Madrid - FC Barcelona Champions League semi-final clash:

It looks as if it is actually "mono, mono", taking into account the lip movements & that the very popular & jovial Spanish terms "Morro, Morro" is always accompanied by slapping ones face, which in this case on the video is instead accompanied by "hiding the mouth" in full knowledge that "forbidden words" are being said out loud. Real Madrid in fact believe so & put in an official complaint to UEFA. Racist comments are a very serious issue under any circumstances, & Spain unfortunately does not have a very good International Football history of late in this area.

FC Barcelona , Real Madrid , Busquests, Marcelo etc are not my concerns here & UEFA has taken a decision that they will have to answer for if anyone wishes to take that up with them. Where I do take a stand is against any type of Racism in private, professional or Sporting life. Racist comments are out of order & totally unacceptable. Europe in the last years is undergoing a rise in xenophobic & racist sentiments that are unfortunately spilling into Sports, & UEFA as the European Authority on Football matters & its supervisor has not been up to the task in curving this tendency across European Football.

This incident is just one of many across European grounds that need to be attended to & if necessary heavily sanctioned with serious fines,  penalties & if called for banning from competition. Today's decision will give excuses to those interested parties that are selling "conspiracy theories" that are not needed.

The big loser today is UEFA which continues to lose credibility. Perhaps someone should have screened this UEFA promotions video before taking a decision. But not only on Racism, also on faking, cheating, unsportsmanlike actions... etc.in European Football in general.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID PLAYER DIEGO FORLAN COURTING BOTH BESIKTAS - TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS ?

The Spanish daily Sports papers have picked up the news from Turkey, concretely from TV Channel NTV, that Turkish Club BESIKTAS has a pre-agreement with ATLETICO DE MADRID Uruguayan forward DIEGO FORLAN. The original source goes on further to say that Atletico de Madrid is also in accord & that the player may even sign his new contract next week.


However, today the agent of Forlan, Daniel Bolotnikoff, denied the news coming out from Turkey & said that there is no agreement at all. This coincides with news from England via local paper “The Sun” that TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS is also trying to lure the player towards London.

Diego Forlan 

With these stories, I can only deduce that the player is playing with both Clubs at this moment & will go to the best bidder. Tottenham & Diego Forlan has been “flitering” with each other for months, & Turkish Club Besiktas has been tempting the Uruguayan for the last months as well. Diego Forlan was caught by TV cameras asking ex-Coach of Besiktas Bernd Schuster how Turkey & the Club was like last week in a charity get together.


The above also explains the fall-out & dressing room problems that Diego Forlan has had with Atletico Coach Sanchez Flores. Although the latter has not said so explicitly, the Coach has left Forlan on the bench due to a “non-commitment” attitude with his team. Said differently,  that player has his head everywhere except at Atletico de Madrid were he has been attempting to “get out” all season. Let’s not forget that Forlan offered himself to Real Madrid during the “Winter Transfer” window.


So stay tuned, I would bet that Diego Forlan will end up signing with the Club that best conditions can offer, although Besiktas has ex-team-mate Simao & Spanish ex-Real Madrid player Guti which may tip the balance in helping to settle in quicker in a new place. But said this, Forlan is familiar with English life …

LATEST - Forlan seems to now want to stay at Atletico  Man does know what he wants.

SPANISH FOOTBALL | ATLETICO DE MADRID TO SELL THEIR "CROWN JEWELS" ?

ATLETICO DE MADRID seems to be the epicenter of SPANISH FOOTBALL rumour & gossip this week. The news is not too good if your an Atletico fan & will make you wonder how the team will fair next year if the "lane way talks" come true.

The first name that many see out of the Club is DIEGO FORLAN. As mentioned in the below post, Turkish side Besiktas & English Premier League Club Tottenham Hotspurs are knocking hard on his door. However, today the player "surprisingly" says that he wishes to stay next season at Atletico. I personally don´t see it.

Spanish Football Atletico de Madrid star Aguero

The persistent rumour that just will not go away is the SERGIO AGUERO & REAL MADRID "connection".  The player has said that he is happy at Atletico may a time, but has never shut the exit door either with his comments. In fact, a "dirty & vicious" rumour says that the player has told the Club to listen to offers if they arrive these coming months. The Club always mentions that Aguero has a 45M€ contract release clause which includes a 18% VAT to add on top.

Two Clubs are said to by "hoovering" over the Club in reference to the Aguero situation. The first is English Club MANCHESTER CITY looking for a "crack" for its Champions League campaign & the second is REAL MADRID that has been looking at Aguero for months.  The latter does not wish to pay the extra 18% VAT,  plus Atletico will face fan riots if the "enemy" was to "steal" the crown jewel. But Real Madrid may "throw" in a couple of players ( with €€€€ ) to ease the pain. This last rumour is gaining strenght locally, BUT IT IS ONLY A RUMOUR.

What is "red hot" is the story-gossip that young goalkeeper DAVID DE GEA will be heading to MANCHESTER UNITED next season. The rumour is gaining size & speed just like a snow-ball rolling downhill. The player has not denied anything & has literally said that a decision will be made at the end of the season.

Three heavyweight players which includes two prized assets that may lead to the burning down of the stadium by fans if they do finally leave Atletico. As I had said, they are rumours & not verified 100%, so if your an Atletico fan please remain calm. Nervous but calm for the moment.