The Sports Archives – Can Owen Still Cut It In The Premier League?

Posted on September 28, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Michael Owen TweetStoke City have handed Michael Owen a Premier League lifeline – but does the former England striker have what it takes to still make an impact at the top-level?

Here we look at both sides of the argument that has got tongues wagging among football fans:

YES

Anyone in doubt of Owen’s pedigree only needs to look at his goal record.

The diminutive striker has plundered over 220 goals in under 500 games during his club career and scored a further 40 in 89 appearances for England. And considering he will turn 33 in December, Owen feasibly still has a couple more seasons in the top flight in the tank if he can find some form at the Britannia Stadium.

Judging by the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United star’s reaction to finally finding a club after a summer of uncertainty, Stoke have landed a player with a point to prove.

And signing a motivated Owen could prove to be a masterstroke from the Potters as they bid to evolve in the top flight.

Yes, injury scuppered Owen at Manchester United. Yes, he has become something of a forgotten figure. But when he played for United, more often than not he made an impact. Remember his match-winning goal against Manchester City?

World-class finishers like Owen know where the net is, know how to be in the right place at the right time and show composer under pressure.

Granted, he probably won’t start every week for Stoke, but when he is introduced if you like to have a flutter on football at Ladbrokes.com or with other bookies you know there’ll be a good chance he’ll do the business.

NO

At 32, Owen’s best days are long gone.

While much older players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes continue to be important players at club level for Manchester United, injuries have ravaged Owen’s career in recent years.

So much so that Owen has started just one Premier League game in the last two seasons – and his last goal in any competition came last October. That’s nearly 12 months without a goal!

With huge question marks hanging over his fitness, pundits have also questioned whether Owen still has the passion for football as his much-publicised hobby as a racehorse trainer seems to have taken centre stage during his United days.

Plus the Premier League has changed since the days Owen terrorised opposition defenders week in, week out – and it has changed a lot! The game is played at a much higher tempo and younger players are more determined than ever to get noticed.

Owen may have predatory instinct in and around the penalty box, but he’s not as fast as he once was.

Can Stoke boss Tony Pulis get the best out of Owen? Will Peter Crouch help Owen roll back the years? There are a lot of questions that need answering!

Article brought to you by Ladbrokes

Posted in Soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Sports Archives – History of the Paralympics!

Posted on September 27, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The Paralympic Games has become one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world today. All Time Medical features a colorful look into the history of the Paralympics via an educational and inspiring infographic. Using the motto “What’s your excuse?”, the infographic challenges even those who have no disabilities to go beyond physical limitations. This Paralympics visual aid is handy for looking up interesting trivia at a glance. It is easy to read and laid-out in a simple manner, and provides the kind of information that will make any reader come away with ample knowledge of the Paralympics.

Featured in the infographic are some famous Paralympic athletes which both differently-abled and regular aspiring Olympians look up to. The Paralympics is now a well-known international multi-sport event featuring participating athletes. This All Time Medical infographic pays special homage to the events and the people who have made it all possible.

Source: All Time Medical

Paralympics History Infographic

Posted in Olympics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Sports Archives – Who was the biggest loser of Euro 2012?

Posted on September 26, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Euro 2012For the most part, Euro 2012 has been a great tournament. As well as featuring a steady stream of goals, the tournament has produced some genuine surprises, from Russia and the Netherlands being knocked out at the group stage, to Greece’s surprise progress to the quarter finals. It’s also been a predictable tournament in some ways, though, most notably in terms of Spain’s ongoing dominance as they’ve powered their way to the final, closely followed at present by Germany. England have also, while arguably over-achieving in winning their group, repeated their usual penalty failures to get knocked out. In terms of picking the biggest loser of Euro 2012, it’s a toss-up between under-performing and infighting teams, particular players, technology, and arguably UEFA itself.

1 – Teams

Netherlands and Russia top this list, with the former being abysmal in losing all three of their group matches. Ireland were worse, but at least have the excuse of not being fancied beforehand. The Netherlands came into the tournament from a World Cup Final in 2010, and a strong qualifying campaign. However, after narrowly losing to Denmark, the Dutch never found their feet against Germany or Portugal. Infighting within the squad, and a tendency to fall off the pace after going behind killed their tournament. Russia come a close second, though.

Having cruised to a 4-1 victory in their opening game, the fancied Russians came unstuck against Poland and Greece, and rarely looked like contenders after the first night of the tournament. England could be on this list, given their average at best displays, and dominance by Italy. But, with limited resources, they at least managed to take Italy to penalties in the quarter finals. More frustrating, however, was the decision by sides like the Czech Republic and Greece to shut up shop against Germany and Portugal in the quarter finals, rather than have a go at their technically superior opponents.

2 – Players

Again, it’s hard not to look beyond the Netherlands, and Arjen Robben in particular, who looked worn out, and frequently clueless on the ball. England’s Wayne Rooney also failed to really live up to his long-awaited return, particularly against Italy. There were also some players that managed to cause off the field problems, with Antonio Cassano’s homophobic outburst, and Samir Nasri’s profanity laden attack on French journalists neither of the player’s finest moments.

3 – UEFA

Yes, on the one hand the European governing body can say that they pulled off a tournament of thrilling football, and produced huge worldwide audiences for games. On the other hand, the decision to award the tournament to Poland and Ukraine has been notable for just about not being as bad as it promised to be. Repeated problems with racism, fan violence, and half empty stadiums have demonstrated that UEFA’s cash grab has left fans facing steep ticket prices and cutthroat hotels, and teams having to travel thousands of miles for games.

At the same time, UEFA’s decision to fine Nicklas Bendtner more money for flashing his sponsored pants after scoring than countries whose fans were guilty of racism represents deplorable behaviour. UEFA have similarly failed to strongly come out against racist incidents in both countries. On the technology side, a much vaunted fourth official was not able to prevent Ukraine from having a legitimate goal ruled out against England, meaning that the debate over goal-line technology continues.

Citations:

Habib Rehman is a Sports writer for Live Sport, where you can get instant access to the latest live football on TV listings for over 35 different sports including the Olympics schedule.

Posted in Olympics, Soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Sports Archives – What does the future hold for Arsenal after selling their stars?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Arsene WengerSome of the best players in the Arsenal team have been facing a lot of turmoil and venting out their frustration as the club sells off its top performers.  Eduardo is one of the players to have voiced his opinion that selling Arsenal stars was a bad choice and it has been depriving the team of top performances.  The future of Arsenal is insusceptible because of their non-performance in league games. However, there is an array of challenges ahead for the team too, as others are getting stronger in the meanwhile.

According to the players it was a bad choice of the board to let stars such as Robin Van Persie to move on, and financial rewards seems to be a priority over on-field success.  But these days Arsenal seem to buy young, train, and sell.

After enjoying a peak period of performance and success, the track record achieved by Arsenal has been largely hampered in recent times.  This has left an unsatisfactory mark for Arsenal fans as they were not just unhappy about the team’s performance but also losing some of the great players who have brought unforgettable moments.

The future doesn’t seem very promising for Arsenal after losing all their stars.  Although the team has a record of doing the same with all the new players, their impeccable track record at one time has been creating ripples.  Despite the failing performance and losing some of the best players on board the team still hopes for a successful restart.  There have been many changes within the team and definitely the loss of the best players will cost them, but there is still quality at the club.

The current Arsenal team still hasn’t lost hope of reviving the lost glory of the team.  The fans have always been supportive of the team and their dream of seeing Arsenal back in form is not diminished.  The competitive edge and the style of play will of course always leave the fans smiling, but in recent games the attacking options have led to a lack of goals.

The future looks good for Arsenal even after selling their stars. They are one of the few clubs to hold true to their strict wage structure, and whilst on-field success may be limited, at least they have a strong foundation to move forward with, and a youth policy which will ensure they remain one of the top teams in Europe.

This article was written by David Hamer, online author.  Currently publishing articles on the topic of sports and other related posts such as Arsenal football shirts. Click on http://www.soccerbox.com/arsenal-football-shirts/ to know more.

Posted in Soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – A Quick History Lesson in the Art of Taekwondo

Posted on September 24, 2012 by thesportsarchives

taekwondoTaekwondo was established from simple and modest beginnings over 1,000 years ago and has since spread to become one of the world’s most successful and popular form of martial arts. Instructors and those training enjoy physical and mental discipline, as well as an excellent exercise regimen, plus the ability to protect themselves if necessary. Taekwondo is not only a fun sport, but for practitioners, a way of life.

Taekwondo is one of the most traditional and scientific Korean martial arts, one that teaches more than combat skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of improving one’s life through training extensively training the body and mind. Today, it has become a sport that has gone global and has gained international coverage, and as of 2000, is among the official games in the Olympics.

Taekwondo is the correct way of using tae and kwon ‘fists and feet,’ second, it is a way to maintain peace and control combative behavior.

This idea comes from the meaning of tae kwon ‘to put fists under control’. So taekwondo means “the right way of using all the parts of the body to put a stop to fights or combats. If properly taught and practiced, taekwondo is a nonaggressive and moral system of self-defense.

A significant goal of taekwondo training with respect to the mind and body is the attempt to eliminate the gap separating the two. The mind and body must learn to act, and react, together. Through practice, thought, and action it can become unified as one.

Using taekwondo is not to be trivialized by showing off, boasting, or bragging. Bragging about one’s ability is foolish.  Just because one has a strong side kick does not mean he is better than someone nor does it mean that he is invincible.

Bragging about your skills or to impress others cheapens your accomplishments. Always keep in mind that you can do serious damage to another person.  Responding violently to taunts or insults is improper and attacking someone because they insulted you is not self-defense. Always seek an alternative to violence, avoiding it if possible.  Walk away; look for crowds or other safe areas to take refuge. Avoiding conflict is not a sign of cowardice; it is a sign of wisdom.

Taekwondo system of training usually includes blocks, kicks, punches, and strikes and may include various sweeps, throws, and joint locks.

Usage of taekwondo’s powerful methods requires self-control and discipline. It might be difficult, but it is a worthwhile accomplishment.

If you and/or your child is interested in taking taekwondo lessons in Chandler or Gilbert, Arizona, please speak with Sandoval Karate and ask about family discounts.

Posted in Olympics, Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Sports Archives – A few Interesting Facts That you Never Knew About Golf!

Posted on September 22, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Tiger WoodsGolf is a game associated with the wealthy and the elderly, so you would think that interesting wouldn’t really be a word that is associated with the game. This would be wrong, there are many facts, most of them interesting, about golf that may make you feel differently about the sport.

Golf, ‘Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden’, right? Wrong. Golf is a game that can be played by anyone of any age; the word golf actually came from the Dutch work ‘kolf’ meaning ‘club’, this was then passed onto the Scottish who turned it into ‘golve’ which has since been adapted to the word we use today.

Playing golf well is a skill; the reality is that over 80% of golfers will never score a handicap lower than 18, so there’s no need to be embarrassed if you have no idea what you’re doing, just make sure you’re holding the club the right way round.

It doesn’t matter what hand you write with, you can still play golf. We are at an age where left-handedness has been accepted and it is therefore possible to buy left-handed golf clubs. In fact Golfing Pro Phil Mickelson plays golf left-handed, however, he is right-handed. He learned to play by mirroring his father’s action and has therefore always used a left-handed golf club.

Showing that golf is a game for all ages is Tiger Woods and Coby Orr. Woods gained his first victory at the age of just eight whereas Orr is the youngest golfer ever to score a hole in one at the tender age of just five.

The dimples on a golf ball, is there anything significant about them? Most people would probably think not, however there is. In fact, on every regulation golf ball there are 336 of those little dimples. Golf balls haven’t always been made with 336 dimples in them; until 1848, golfers used feather balls. Feather balls were made of leather and packed tightly full of feathers; the more tightly packed the feathers the further the balls would travel.

Most golf courses are big and they do take a while to walk around, but think yourself lucky you’re not playing the longest course in the world.  The International Golf Club in Massachusetts, America, is a par 77 course measuring a mammoth 8,325 yards or 7,612 metres or 24,975 feet.

Finally, if you’re feeling lucky you could be one of the few people to ever make two holes-in-one in one game of golf. In fact the odds of accomplishing this task are 1 in 67 million.

This article was written by Jamie Borg who would recommend http://www.travelsolutionsireland.com, for their top class golf tours.

Posted in Golf | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Sports Archives – The Australian Open 2013: Can Djokovic Three-peat?

Posted on September 21, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The Aussie Open is the major curtain-raiser to a new tennis year. It offers tennis fans an early indication of whether the top players are ready to protect their status or whether there might be the possibility of a little power shift at the top of the rankings.

TennisNovak Djokovic has secured the Australian title for the last two years. In 2012 he prevailed in an epic final against Rafael Nadal, the longest Grand Slam final of the Open era. A third successive win would establish the Serbian player as a master of the blue surface and would be likely to restore him to the top of the world rankings. He had an indifferent 2012 by his standards but the Australian Open is one of his favorite tournaments and an obvious place to reassert his authority.

Nadal – ready to return?

Much will depend on the preparation and form of the medical enigma called Rafael Nadal. The Spanish player won the Australian title in 2009 and came so close to beating Djokovic in the 2012 final. Persistent and recurrent injuries have threatened to end the career of the most naturally gifted player of his generation. In the past, the Australian Open has found the Spanish star a little unfit and rusty after the winter break. If Nadal can recuperate and rediscover his fitness and form over the winter, he may be ready to announce his return in the first Grand Slam tournament of 2013.

The Past and The Future

Roger Federer and Andy Murray represent the recent past of the sport and one of its potential futures. Federer’s performances in 2012 suggested that he didn’t agree with those observers who were ready to write him off. He reclaimed his number one world ranking in a year when he was supposed to fade gracefully into the history books. Retirement might be looming, but the Swiss star obviously believes he still has the chance to add to his tally of Slams before age finally slows him down. Federer has won four Aussie Open titles, the most recent of them in 2010.

Andy Murray has been threatening to win a Grand Slam title for years. The appointment of Ivan Lendl as his coach has made a noticeable difference to his tactical approach and to his appetite for victory. The immediate reward was an Olympic gold medal. That achievement involved beating both Djokovic and Federer impressively. Murray will come back in 2013 determined to reach and win Grand Slam finals and challenge for the number one ranking.

These are the obvious challengers out to deprive Djokovic of his title. Tennis fans will hope for a fit Nadal, clement weather and another Australian Open that lives in the memory.

Stephen Craig is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow him @SCraigSEO.

Posted in Tennis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Sports Archives – Sports We Can’t Wait to See in 2013!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Manny PacquiaoSports fans can be some of the most arrogant, while at the same time being the most loyal. When fall rolls around, all the football fans seem to flood every bar within a 10 mile radius of our homes, beefed up on finger foods and ice-cold beers.  But can you blame them? Athletes are some of the most disciplined, not to mention talented people in this world. The stamina it takes to perform with diligence, coupled with the determination to win, is the reason why we find ourselves glued to the television during the most intense of games. From good old rival football teams, the wait for Mayweather and Pacquiao to the Australian Open in 2013 – we have a lot to look forward to.

Football is Back


When the New Year hits, we can expect quite a few showstoppers. After all they seem to happen every year and who can deny the rivalry games during football season? Whether you’re for or against the teams playing, you still want to watch. There’s nothing like seeing history being made by a top or upcoming athlete and knowing that if it hadn’t been for you watching, you would have missed the immediate celebration as well as forgo being in the loop of an abundance of tweets, texts and meme’s.

The Anticipated Fight

Besides football, there is the imminent boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Floyd MayweatherManny Pacquiao that could possibly take place in 2013 at Las Vegas. This match has been brewing since 2009 and just like football fans, boxing fans find themselves infatuated with the possibility of someone taking home the bragging rights. Since Mayweather was recently convicted on assault charges and was just released August 3rd, his campaign will not commit to a specific date in which the Pacquiao fight will take place. One thing is for sure; with all the drama, delays and speculation surrounding this heavily anticipated match, Pacquiao and Mayweather both have huge expectations. Even if they don’t come to an agreement to fight in the spring of 2013 as planned, it’s a safe bet that boxing fans everywhere won’t get tired of waiting.

Rackets Up

There is one certainty for sports next year though which happens to be the biggest sporting event in the month of January, the Australian Open. While little information has been released as to the initiatives for the Australian Open 2013, predictions of who will be walking away a champion are already swirling about.  Serena Williams, Samantha Stosur and Andy Murray are all favorites for 2013 and have been playing unbelievable tennis during 2012.

While tennis is unlike the physical sports of boxing and football, it is still a sport and one of great difficulty. Tennis requires concentration, endurance and strength, so watching these key players next year will inevitably be history in the making.

Citations:

Mercedes Potter is a huge sports fan who can’t wait to watch the Redskins vs. Cowboys next year. Follow her @CedesPotter to see what else read other sports related articles.

Posted in Boxing, Football, Tennis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – Some Of The World’s Weirdest And Most Unbelievable Sports – Have You Heard of Wife Carrying?

Posted on September 19, 2012 by thesportsarchives

If you are looking for a new sport to get involved in but are not drawn to any of the classes that are offered down at your local leisure center, take a look at some of the weirder sporting activities that you could try your hand at.

Chess Boxing

Chess BoxingIs it chess or is it boxing? Well actually it’s both. This is a strange concept, a fusion of a somewhat brain testing game with a brain bashing one. In involves alternating rounds of boxing and chess and it was developed in 1992 by a Dutch artist. There are two ways to win, the first person to either achieve a knock out or a check mate is declared the champion.

Bunny Show Jumping (Kaninhop)

Always liked show jumping but never been able to afford the horse? Try a bunny. So Bunny JumpingOK, you are not going to get it fitted out for a saddle any time soon, but you can still lead it around the showground and over a range of jumps and obstacles, and let’s face it compared to a horse, bunnies are a lot easier to transport and they don’t leave anywhere near as much mess behind them. This fluffy sport was developed in Sweden in the 1970’s and led to the development of the Rabbit Agility Association.

Camel Wrestling

Camel WresltingCalm down, it’s not you that is going to be wrestling the camel! This is actually camel on camel action that takes place in a purpose built wrestling pit. This form of wrestling has been popular in Turkey for a very long time and there is a lot of respect to be gained from being a champion camel wrestler trainer. It’s a little sneaky though, as the way they get the camels to tackle each other is by placing a particularly attractive female in front of them, who just happens to be in season, and they obligingly fight it out over her.

Wife Carrying

No, this has nothing to do with finances or whatever else sprung into your mind. Wife Wife Carryingcarrying is exactly as the name would suggest. A man has to race 253 metres which to those of you lacking the ability to visualize the distance equates to the length of three football pitches. Their wife, whom we assume is a willing participant, is strapped securely to their backs and well, put simply, they race. What quite understandably started as a joke is now a sport that is enjoyed around the world.

Ferret Legging

Ferret LeggingAlways thought that you would never be described as an athlete? Then stuff two ferrets down your trousers in front of a crowd of eager onlookers and you are perfectly entitled to claim that title, because yes, this is indeed a recognized sport. Just bear in mind though that the ferrets will be fighting and nipping each other all the while that they are down your pants, not a sports for the ticklish or the squeamish. The ferret legging world record stands at 5 hours and 26 minutes.  Still up for it?

Are you looking for ways to keep your children fit and healthy? Visit Puddle Ducks now for more information on swimming lessons and classes.

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Sports Archives – Are Extreme Sports Really Dangerous?

Posted on September 18, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Extreme SportsIn the mythology of the Greeks, there was Icarus, the son of Daedalus, who wore the wings his father made from bird feathers and wax and used it to escape from Crete. His father told him not to fly close to the sun as the heat would melt the wax causing him to fall. Icarus did not follow his father’s instructions and this caused his demise. Icarus was not exactly engaging in an extreme sport when he flew with his father’s wings; but he did do something that is far too dangerous for others to attempt without the proper skills.

Extreme sports are dangerous activities that not everyone can do. Usually, men (and a few women) between the ages of 20 to 45 are attracted to extreme sports. These are people who live for the moment and crave the adrenaline rush. There are many extreme sports participated in by thousands upon thousands of people year in and year out. Some are professional, long-term extreme sport athletes while others are mere enthusiasts or one-time participants.

Also called free sport, adventure sport or action sport, an extreme sport can involve high speeds, unbelievable heights, extreme physical exertion, specialized equipment and incredible, death-defying stunts.

It is hard to define which extreme sports are the most dangerous. For one thing, there is very little data on injuries and deaths from extreme sports individually or in general. Common injuries from participating in extreme sports range from ordinary gashes and wounds to broken bones, frostbite, concussions, and brain damage.

Road cycling probably has the highest number of physical injuries out of any sport but it is not an extreme sport. Some sports have more deaths compared to the so-called extreme sports. For instance, many have died from drowning in the United Kingdom due to angling. Angling is not considered an extreme sport.

Some of the extreme sports are BASE jumping, heli-skiing, bull riding, bungee jumping, ski jumping, cliff diving, mountain biking, speed skiing, street luging, cave diving, ice climbing, whitewater kayaking and big-wave surfing. But since the definition of the term “extreme sports” is not crystal clear, some may argue that certain sports should not be considered extreme sports at all.

The question is: “Are extreme sports really dangerous?” The answer: “Of course they are.” A single mistake from the participant, a simple failure in the equipment, or an unexpected environmental factor that cause things to go horribly wrong can result in physical injuries for the participant or even his untimely demise. But risk takers can still enjoy extreme sports for as long as they are highly trained, physically able and understand the risks involved in their chosen extreme sport.

When an avid BASE jumper was asked why he does what he does, he said, “Because I can!” People will continue to participate in extreme sports for many reasons. The key to surviving an extreme sport is not only meticulous planning and perfect execution but also the cooperation of Mother Nature.

Use this resource if you want to start doing extreme sports with a trainer. While extreme sports can be fun and exciting, you have to know that your trainer is safe and qualified before you start.

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments