Niklas Hjalmarsson pummels Jason Pominville 10.11.2010
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xeOQhoRmbI&feature=popt11us0c
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Watches Italia Serbia scontri a Genova partita rinviata
Italia Serbia scontri a Genova partita rinviata
Copied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ4BMK2vleI&feature=popt11us0b
Copied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ4BMK2vleI&feature=popt11us0b
Watches this new video enjoy James Wisniewski makes obscene gesture towards Sean Avery
James Wisniewski makes obscene gesture towards Sean Avery
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONb5waVYAGM&feature=popt11us09
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONb5waVYAGM&feature=popt11us09
Watch Jérémie Janot se fait allumer
Jérémie Janot se fait allumer
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGET1Rl2PIw&feature=popt11us08
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGET1Rl2PIw&feature=popt11us08
Watches South Korea Track Preview
South Korea Track Preview
coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KcAKTstGqc&feature=popt11us07
coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KcAKTstGqc&feature=popt11us07
Watches Chris Maguire 50 yard goal against Iceland 11/10/2010
Chris Maguire 50 yard goal against Iceland 11/10/2010
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI-tvDC-xJ4&feature=popt11us03
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI-tvDC-xJ4&feature=popt11us03
Watches James Wisniewski Taunts Sean Avery Oct 11, 2010
James Wisniewski Taunts Sean Avery Oct 11, 2010
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JYeKEA5AoY&feature=popt11us02
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JYeKEA5AoY&feature=popt11us02
Watches Scotland vs Iceland Goal from Half way line U21 Chris Maguire
Scotland vs Iceland Goal from Half way line U21 Chris Maguire
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTeNXj1q2Fk&feature=popt11us05
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTeNXj1q2Fk&feature=popt11us05
Watches Sebastian Vettel queimou a largada em Suzuka?
Sebastian Vettel queimou a largada em Suzuka?
coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pifm8fE40Yo&feature=popt11us01
coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pifm8fE40Yo&feature=popt11us01
Watch Wisniewski Obscene Gesture Towards Sean Avery
Wisniewski Obscene Gesture Towards Sean Avery
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1Q2AY1-Eo&feature=popt11us00
Coppied by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1Q2AY1-Eo&feature=popt11us00
Monday, 11 October 2010
Watch Asia Cup Cricket 2010: Ind vs Pak: today's match latest updates
Asia Cup Cricket 2010: Ind vs Pak: today's match latest updates
Ind vs Pak:In today' match Pakistan will have to perform exceptionally well if they intend to stay in the tournament as they have already lost a game to Sri Lanka despite Afridi's power packed performance.
THE MOST awaited competition between India and Pakistan will be played today at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The fourth day of the match is expected to receive hundreds and thousands of spectators for today's match. The match will be telecast live at 2:30 PM IST.
In today' match Pakistan will have to perform exceptionally well if they intend to stay in the tournament as they have already lost a game to Sri Lanka despite Afridi's power packed performance. For this, they will have to make slight changes in order to face the men in blue.
A slight rearranging in the batting line is essential as they have got a lead attack in the bowling department from Shoaib Akhtar. This will be an ordeal for the Indian side especially the top and middle order.
Pakistan as a team is known be very volatile and perform dangerously when exposed to a do or die situation. During last year's champions trophy as well, Pakistan defeated the Indian side when Shoaib Mallik scored a brilliant century. And to add to the Indian woes, Afridi's knockout of 109 off 79 balls is alarming as well.
However, the game is equally crucial for India as well. India has to pep up its bowling line as a specimen was already shown by the Bangladehsi batsmen. On the other hand, top order batsmen like Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rohit Shrama have to add a good amount of runs in order to free the middle order batsmen like M. S. Dhoni out of pressure.
INDIAN SQUAD: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, R. Ashwin, Saurabh Tiwary.
PAKISTAN SQUAD: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.
Coppied by http://www.merinews.com/article/asia-cup-cricket-2010-ind-vs-pak-todays-match-latest-updates/15823612.shtml
Ind vs Pak:In today' match Pakistan will have to perform exceptionally well if they intend to stay in the tournament as they have already lost a game to Sri Lanka despite Afridi's power packed performance.
THE MOST awaited competition between India and Pakistan will be played today at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The fourth day of the match is expected to receive hundreds and thousands of spectators for today's match. The match will be telecast live at 2:30 PM IST.
In today' match Pakistan will have to perform exceptionally well if they intend to stay in the tournament as they have already lost a game to Sri Lanka despite Afridi's power packed performance. For this, they will have to make slight changes in order to face the men in blue.
A slight rearranging in the batting line is essential as they have got a lead attack in the bowling department from Shoaib Akhtar. This will be an ordeal for the Indian side especially the top and middle order.
Pakistan as a team is known be very volatile and perform dangerously when exposed to a do or die situation. During last year's champions trophy as well, Pakistan defeated the Indian side when Shoaib Mallik scored a brilliant century. And to add to the Indian woes, Afridi's knockout of 109 off 79 balls is alarming as well.
However, the game is equally crucial for India as well. India has to pep up its bowling line as a specimen was already shown by the Bangladehsi batsmen. On the other hand, top order batsmen like Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rohit Shrama have to add a good amount of runs in order to free the middle order batsmen like M. S. Dhoni out of pressure.
INDIAN SQUAD: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, R. Ashwin, Saurabh Tiwary.
PAKISTAN SQUAD: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.
Coppied by http://www.merinews.com/article/asia-cup-cricket-2010-ind-vs-pak-todays-match-latest-updates/15823612.shtml
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Watch England batsman Kevin Pietersen left short of practice after Dolphins draw
England batsman Kevin Pietersen left short of practice after Dolphins draw
Kevin Pietersen had to be content with a single innings as his first match for the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins ended in a draw on Sunday.
Pietersen made 36 off 48 balls on the first day but it proved to be his only opportunity to find batting form ahead of England's Ashes tour of Australia.
The Dolphins piled up 6-500 declared in their SuperSport Series match against the Eastern Cape Warriors.
In a match plagued by stoppages for bad light, the Warriors were bowled out for 156 and were forced to follow on. They managed to bat out the fourth and final day, scoring 303 for nine.
Pietersen will make a second appearance for the Dolphins before joining England later this month. The Dolphins play against the Centurion-based Titans in another four-day match starting in Durban on Thursday.
coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/england-batsman-kevin-pietersen-left-short-of-practice-after-dolphins-draw/story-e6frf3gl-1225936928967
Kevin Pietersen had to be content with a single innings as his first match for the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins ended in a draw on Sunday.
Pietersen made 36 off 48 balls on the first day but it proved to be his only opportunity to find batting form ahead of England's Ashes tour of Australia.
The Dolphins piled up 6-500 declared in their SuperSport Series match against the Eastern Cape Warriors.
In a match plagued by stoppages for bad light, the Warriors were bowled out for 156 and were forced to follow on. They managed to bat out the fourth and final day, scoring 303 for nine.
Pietersen will make a second appearance for the Dolphins before joining England later this month. The Dolphins play against the Centurion-based Titans in another four-day match starting in Durban on Thursday.
coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/england-batsman-kevin-pietersen-left-short-of-practice-after-dolphins-draw/story-e6frf3gl-1225936928967
We are see this Proteas batsman JP Duminy hits the highest ever individual Twenty20 score for a South African
Proteas batsman JP Duminy hits the highest ever individual Twenty20 score for a South African
JP Duminy hit 96 not out, the highest score by a South African in a Twenty20 international, and it proved just enough to secure a 2-0 series victory against Zimbabwe at the Diamond Oval.
Duminy propelled South Africa to an imposing 6-194 in 20 overs but Zimbabwe made a spirited reply before losing by eight runs.
Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha both hit 59 as Zimbabwe raced to 1-122 with seven overs remaining.
In the end it was Duminy's late assault that made the difference. The left-hander made his runs off 54 balls, with his last 46 scored off just 17 deliveries, as South Africa scored 67 off the last five overs of their innings.
It was a closing rate Zimbabwe could not match as five batsmen fell to catches off attempted big hits and captain Elton Chigumbura was run out attempting an improbable second run in the penultimate over.
Zimbabwe's total of 7-186 was their highest in a Twenty20 international and Chigumbura said he was happy with his side's improved showing after they went down by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining in the first match in Bloemfontein on Friday.
"It was a much better performance, especially with the ball," said Chigumbura,
"but the last three overs went for many (runs). Overall I'm happy."
Johan Botha, South Africa's newly-appointed Twenty20 captain, gave credit to Zimbabwe for making the match so close.
"They played excellently in the chase," he said.
Coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/proteas-batsman-jp-duminy-hits-the-highest-ever-individual-twenty20-score-for-a-south-african/story-e6frf3g3-1225936931241
JP Duminy hit 96 not out, the highest score by a South African in a Twenty20 international, and it proved just enough to secure a 2-0 series victory against Zimbabwe at the Diamond Oval.
Duminy propelled South Africa to an imposing 6-194 in 20 overs but Zimbabwe made a spirited reply before losing by eight runs.
Brendan Taylor and Chamu Chibhabha both hit 59 as Zimbabwe raced to 1-122 with seven overs remaining.
In the end it was Duminy's late assault that made the difference. The left-hander made his runs off 54 balls, with his last 46 scored off just 17 deliveries, as South Africa scored 67 off the last five overs of their innings.
It was a closing rate Zimbabwe could not match as five batsmen fell to catches off attempted big hits and captain Elton Chigumbura was run out attempting an improbable second run in the penultimate over.
Zimbabwe's total of 7-186 was their highest in a Twenty20 international and Chigumbura said he was happy with his side's improved showing after they went down by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining in the first match in Bloemfontein on Friday.
"It was a much better performance, especially with the ball," said Chigumbura,
"but the last three overs went for many (runs). Overall I'm happy."
Johan Botha, South Africa's newly-appointed Twenty20 captain, gave credit to Zimbabwe for making the match so close.
"They played excellently in the chase," he said.
Coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/proteas-batsman-jp-duminy-hits-the-highest-ever-individual-twenty20-score-for-a-south-african/story-e6frf3g3-1225936931241
Watches this Australia's sledging all bluff, players actors with roles, Matthew Hayden says in Standing My Ground
Australia's sledging all bluff, players actors with roles, Matthew Hayden says in Standing My Ground
Matthew Hayden has confessed the stunning secret of how Australia's cricketers became world champion sledgers, saying it was all a giant bluff.
In his new book, Standing My Ground, launched on Sunday, the Australia Test great reveals how the great Australian team often conned their rivals into running scared with fierce verbal intimidation.
"It was as if we had all the answers," he says.
"We didn't.
"We just never let anyone know that we didn't.
"As a consequence, we often saw the mental disintegration of players and teams happening before our eyes.
"Sometimes we annihilated teams who should have performed far better than they did, simply because they were beaten in the battle for mental supremacy, often before the match began."
Hayden, 38, was part of a champion Australia team, including fellow greats Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath, that created a hard-nosed aura and appeared almost unbeatable.
But Hayden has revealed that all was not quite as it seemed, with various players performing roles, almost like actors.
"Our intimidation of other teams was very much a collective effort, with players filling a range of unspoken yet clearly defined roles," Hayden says.
"Damien Martyn would never have dreamt of putting serious verbal heat on someone, partly because he would have struggled with the retaliation.
"But he still had a clear role to swagger around as if he thought the opposition were schoolboys.
"I tried to be subtle with my chirps, sometimes walking in the opposite direction as I spoke or covering my mouth.
"I always felt I was a bit of a hitman for the boys, and if I had to take on Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar, I would.
"Being a big bloke was important, but equally important was that I was prepared to cop the return fire and still perform. If I was the man to rattle someone's cage, I could do it with relish.
coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australias-sledging-was-all-a-bluff-players-were-actors-with-roles-matthew-hayden-says-in-standing-my-ground/story-e6frf3g3-1225936942751
Matthew Hayden has confessed the stunning secret of how Australia's cricketers became world champion sledgers, saying it was all a giant bluff.
In his new book, Standing My Ground, launched on Sunday, the Australia Test great reveals how the great Australian team often conned their rivals into running scared with fierce verbal intimidation.
"It was as if we had all the answers," he says.
"We didn't.
"We just never let anyone know that we didn't.
"As a consequence, we often saw the mental disintegration of players and teams happening before our eyes.
"Sometimes we annihilated teams who should have performed far better than they did, simply because they were beaten in the battle for mental supremacy, often before the match began."
Hayden, 38, was part of a champion Australia team, including fellow greats Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath, that created a hard-nosed aura and appeared almost unbeatable.
But Hayden has revealed that all was not quite as it seemed, with various players performing roles, almost like actors.
"Our intimidation of other teams was very much a collective effort, with players filling a range of unspoken yet clearly defined roles," Hayden says.
"Damien Martyn would never have dreamt of putting serious verbal heat on someone, partly because he would have struggled with the retaliation.
"But he still had a clear role to swagger around as if he thought the opposition were schoolboys.
"I tried to be subtle with my chirps, sometimes walking in the opposite direction as I spoke or covering my mouth.
"I always felt I was a bit of a hitman for the boys, and if I had to take on Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar, I would.
"Being a big bloke was important, but equally important was that I was prepared to cop the return fire and still perform. If I was the man to rattle someone's cage, I could do it with relish.
coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australias-sledging-was-all-a-bluff-players-were-actors-with-roles-matthew-hayden-says-in-standing-my-ground/story-e6frf3g3-1225936942751
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Watch John Higgins cleared of match fixing
John Higgins cleared of match fixing
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
John Higgins, three-times world snooker champion, was cleared of match fixing allegations. He and his manager were filmed accepting a sum for altering a snooker match outcome. With the Pakistani cricket team still in trouble for match fixing this is just another case which damages the reputation of sport and sport betting. With people being able to bet on outcomes during the game, also called spot betting, match fixing seems to have become more common. Cricket has seen a few match fixing scandals before and so has soccer lately. With sport betting in trouble more people will be looking to gamble at a casino online. Many Online casinos have been expanding into many different markets offering great new games in all kinds of languages. In German, for instance, Online Casino Spiele is a good point to start.
coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
John Higgins, three-times world snooker champion, was cleared of match fixing allegations. He and his manager were filmed accepting a sum for altering a snooker match outcome. With the Pakistani cricket team still in trouble for match fixing this is just another case which damages the reputation of sport and sport betting. With people being able to bet on outcomes during the game, also called spot betting, match fixing seems to have become more common. Cricket has seen a few match fixing scandals before and so has soccer lately. With sport betting in trouble more people will be looking to gamble at a casino online. Many Online casinos have been expanding into many different markets offering great new games in all kinds of languages. In German, for instance, Online Casino Spiele is a good point to start.
coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
Watch Cricket: Pakistan beats England by 38 runs
Cricket: Pakistan beats England by 38 runs
ource: www.bbc.co.uk
Pakistan leveled the on-day series with England at 2-2. Batting under floodlights proofed to be very difficult for the English and once again Pakistan’s bowlers proofed to be a handful. England finished 38 runs short, all out for 227 in 46.1 overs. With the recent match fixing claims this match was very controversial and tensions run high. England Coach Andy Flower believes the one-day series has been devalued by continuing spot-fixing allegations. England was reluctant to play after remarks were made that they also accepted payments to lose the match on Friday.
With comments going back and forth and some players still being interviewed by the police, many believe that the damage to cricket will be substantial. Spectators will loose easily interests in a match when the outcome is pre-determined anyway. Playing at a casino online might be a better option if you want to stay away for a while from sports betting until things are sorted out. Playing some of the online casino games can be a lot of fun as well.
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
ource: www.bbc.co.uk
Pakistan leveled the on-day series with England at 2-2. Batting under floodlights proofed to be very difficult for the English and once again Pakistan’s bowlers proofed to be a handful. England finished 38 runs short, all out for 227 in 46.1 overs. With the recent match fixing claims this match was very controversial and tensions run high. England Coach Andy Flower believes the one-day series has been devalued by continuing spot-fixing allegations. England was reluctant to play after remarks were made that they also accepted payments to lose the match on Friday.
With comments going back and forth and some players still being interviewed by the police, many believe that the damage to cricket will be substantial. Spectators will loose easily interests in a match when the outcome is pre-determined anyway. Playing at a casino online might be a better option if you want to stay away for a while from sports betting until things are sorted out. Playing some of the online casino games can be a lot of fun as well.
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
Watch SportingBet signs with Tottenham
SportingBet signs with Tottenham
The leading online sportsbook and betting operator SportingBet has just signed a 4 year agreement with the English premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Through the deal SportingBet, which gets most of its revenues from bets made on soccer, will be able to place advertisement inside the stadium and on other marketing material. SportingBet is aiming to increase its popularity internationally and at home in the UK. With Tottenham being a big force in the premier league and this season even playing in the champions league, SportingBet is hoping to built its brand further. While they don’t offer a UK casino as such, they are a huge presence in the online gambling industry.
Many sport betting and gaming operators have sponsored teams and events to promote their brands. And with sport betting and casino games becoming more and more popular all over the world this trend will continue. In France, for instance, casinos en ligne have established a big presents in the advertising world after online gambling has been legalized. No doubt the popularity of casino and sports betting is a trend that is here to stay.
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
The leading online sportsbook and betting operator SportingBet has just signed a 4 year agreement with the English premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Through the deal SportingBet, which gets most of its revenues from bets made on soccer, will be able to place advertisement inside the stadium and on other marketing material. SportingBet is aiming to increase its popularity internationally and at home in the UK. With Tottenham being a big force in the premier league and this season even playing in the champions league, SportingBet is hoping to built its brand further. While they don’t offer a UK casino as such, they are a huge presence in the online gambling industry.
Many sport betting and gaming operators have sponsored teams and events to promote their brands. And with sport betting and casino games becoming more and more popular all over the world this trend will continue. In France, for instance, casinos en ligne have established a big presents in the advertising world after online gambling has been legalized. No doubt the popularity of casino and sports betting is a trend that is here to stay.
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
Watches Biggest Athletics Sponsorship Deal: Bolt Signs Contract with Puma
Biggest Athletics Sponsorship Deal: Bolt Signs Contract with Puma
rand until 2013.
There have been no confirmations about the involved amount but sources close to the player say the amount is worth US$32.5 million, the same amount Chritiano Ronaldo received for his 4-year contract with Nike.
Bolt is already a legend in his sport and the recent deal will take him into a ‘new stratosphere of sports earnings.’ Part of the deal involves launching a new clothing line based on the champion’s signature “To Di World”. The chairman of Puma, Jochen Zeitz said, ‘He’s the best paid athlete in history and also one of the best paid athletes overall.’
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
rand until 2013.
There have been no confirmations about the involved amount but sources close to the player say the amount is worth US$32.5 million, the same amount Chritiano Ronaldo received for his 4-year contract with Nike.
Bolt is already a legend in his sport and the recent deal will take him into a ‘new stratosphere of sports earnings.’ Part of the deal involves launching a new clothing line based on the champion’s signature “To Di World”. The chairman of Puma, Jochen Zeitz said, ‘He’s the best paid athlete in history and also one of the best paid athletes overall.’
Coppied by http://sportsgeneral.wordpress.com/
Why Australia must unite behind 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, writes Simon Hill
Why Australia must unite behind 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, writes Simon Hill
On Sunday night, I sat in the stands at the Calabash to watch the World Cup final. Next to me sat a South African couple, full of pride at how their nation had hosted the tournament.
In front, sat two Turks, brandishing their national flag and a Galatasaray scarf. On the next row, lodged in next to each other were two Paraguayans, a Russian, and a Moroccan.
Looking behind me, I could see a man dressed strangely as a Spanish senorita, an oranje-clad Santa Claus, and thousands of other weird concoctions akin to a fancy dress party on New Year's Eve.
“ The AFL and NRL have nothing to fear - their sports will not die - but they must realise they don’t own the country. ”There wasn’t a hint of trouble - even when Netherlands lost a bad-tempered game - and many waved placards to thank the South Africans for the superb job they had done in making everyone feel so welcome. It truly was the rainbow stadium in the rainbow nation.
This isn’t misty-eyed romanticism - these are the cold hard facts of how a World Cup can bring joy to a country.
Here’s a few more.
South Africa welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors during the World Cup - in total, the tournament’s contribution to the nation's GDP was 93 billion rand ($14 billion) - enough to add half a percentage point to its annual growth (estimated to be three per cent this year).
According to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business confidence also grew to unprecedented levels in the build-up to the World Cup.
The tournament hasn’t solved South Africa’s financial - or social - problems.
But it has helped immeasurably - even the much talked about crime issues were virtually non-existent. Aside of a few isolated incidents (sadly, one involving ten Australian fans), the specially created World Cup courts had only 100 or so cases to deal with. One overseas paper even remarked South Africa’s criminals had performed as poorly as Italy, France and England.
The legacy for South Africa? A clutch of world class stadiums (of which, hopefully only one or two have the potential to become white elephants), and a much-improved infrastructure, including the Gautrain, which gets you from the airport to Sandton in 15 minutes.
But much more than that, it has changed perceptions of the country. Already here, they are talking about building on the “sense of purpose” shown to tackle existing problems.
So, with all that evidence - why is it that some in Australia still fight so hard against our bid to host the finals in 2022?
True, not all people are football fans in Australia - but you don’t have to be to appreciate having a huge sporting event on your doorstep. I doubt many were avid fans of synchronised swimming ahead of the Sydney Olympics, but there wasn’t the outcry Australia’s 'Come Play' bid is generating this time.
Why wouldn’t you want such a boost to the country’s finances and esteem? The FIFA World Cup would be good news for Australia as a whole, not just FFA and football lovers.
Coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup-bid/why-australia-must-unite-behind-2022-fifa-world-cup-bid-writes-simon-hill/story-fn3g9e47-1225922991606
On Sunday night, I sat in the stands at the Calabash to watch the World Cup final. Next to me sat a South African couple, full of pride at how their nation had hosted the tournament.
In front, sat two Turks, brandishing their national flag and a Galatasaray scarf. On the next row, lodged in next to each other were two Paraguayans, a Russian, and a Moroccan.
Looking behind me, I could see a man dressed strangely as a Spanish senorita, an oranje-clad Santa Claus, and thousands of other weird concoctions akin to a fancy dress party on New Year's Eve.
“ The AFL and NRL have nothing to fear - their sports will not die - but they must realise they don’t own the country. ”There wasn’t a hint of trouble - even when Netherlands lost a bad-tempered game - and many waved placards to thank the South Africans for the superb job they had done in making everyone feel so welcome. It truly was the rainbow stadium in the rainbow nation.
This isn’t misty-eyed romanticism - these are the cold hard facts of how a World Cup can bring joy to a country.
Here’s a few more.
South Africa welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors during the World Cup - in total, the tournament’s contribution to the nation's GDP was 93 billion rand ($14 billion) - enough to add half a percentage point to its annual growth (estimated to be three per cent this year).
According to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business confidence also grew to unprecedented levels in the build-up to the World Cup.
The tournament hasn’t solved South Africa’s financial - or social - problems.
But it has helped immeasurably - even the much talked about crime issues were virtually non-existent. Aside of a few isolated incidents (sadly, one involving ten Australian fans), the specially created World Cup courts had only 100 or so cases to deal with. One overseas paper even remarked South Africa’s criminals had performed as poorly as Italy, France and England.
The legacy for South Africa? A clutch of world class stadiums (of which, hopefully only one or two have the potential to become white elephants), and a much-improved infrastructure, including the Gautrain, which gets you from the airport to Sandton in 15 minutes.
But much more than that, it has changed perceptions of the country. Already here, they are talking about building on the “sense of purpose” shown to tackle existing problems.
So, with all that evidence - why is it that some in Australia still fight so hard against our bid to host the finals in 2022?
True, not all people are football fans in Australia - but you don’t have to be to appreciate having a huge sporting event on your doorstep. I doubt many were avid fans of synchronised swimming ahead of the Sydney Olympics, but there wasn’t the outcry Australia’s 'Come Play' bid is generating this time.
Why wouldn’t you want such a boost to the country’s finances and esteem? The FIFA World Cup would be good news for Australia as a whole, not just FFA and football lovers.
Coppied by http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup-bid/why-australia-must-unite-behind-2022-fifa-world-cup-bid-writes-simon-hill/story-fn3g9e47-1225922991606
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