I wasn’t going to post this video earlier, but I just can’t contain it anymore. Watch as these Russian nine-year-olds put the NHL’s nastiest players to shame. It’s a massacre.
On that note, I might as well include last week’s catastrophe from a Kontinental Hockey League game. Given its origins, the league features mostly Russian players. I wonder who started it.
Miguel Tejada is headed back to Baltimore after signing a one-year deal with the Orioles worth $6 million. He has agreed to play third base since the club wants to keep Cesar Izturis at shortstop.
From Yahoo! Sports:
Tejada made more than $14 million with the Houston Astros in 2009, the final season of a six-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Orioles. Tejada played shortstop with the Orioles from 2004-07 before being traded to Houston for five players: outfielder Luke Scott(notes), pitchers Troy Patton(notes), Matt Albers(notes) and Dennis Sarfate(notes), and third baseman Mike Costanzo.
Cesar Izturis(notes) played deftly in the field at shortstop with Baltimore last year and is expected to retain his starting position in 2010. Tejada will be asked to play third base, a position that became vacant when the Orioles decided against bringing back Melvin Mora(notes).
“I’ll play in third base, which means a change in my career,” he said. “It’s like the beginning of a new career, but I’ll continue doing my same workout routine to be able continue my career.”
This was a wise pickup by the Orioles as they’ve now completed their infield. Tejada did well for the Houston Astros last season, hitting .313 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs in 158 games. He might be a disaster at the hot corner, but the Orioles will benefit from his bat.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
Back in November, France and the Republic of Ireland met in the second leg of their World Cup play-off qualifier. In extra time, France’s Theirry Henry committed a handball before scoring. The goal propelled France into the World Cup qualification finals. Understandably, many fans of the game were angry. Tensions have eased since then and now Republic coach Giovanni Trapattoni has forgiven the French striker.
From FOXSports.com:
The France international’s handball in the run-up to William Gallas’ decisive goal in November’s World Cup play-off qualifier ended the Republic’s dreams of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled this week they had no power to sanction Henry and Trapattoni admits he now has to put the incident behind him.
“The bitterness has passed and what remains is the taste of the good performance and the regret that we didn’t end up in South Africa,” Trapattoni told the programme ‘Dribbling’ on Italian television channel Rai Due.
“With the qualifying round we fought we deserved it.
“But I forgive Henry.”
In his defense, Henry did ask to have the match replayed. It was just an unfortunate outcome for a nation looking for its first World Cup berth since 2006.
The Williams sisters are enjoying their time down under. Neither has dropped a set in their six total matches and are likely to meet in the semifinals.
From ESPN.com:
Serena Williams moved a step closer to successfully defending her Australian Open title and extracted some family revenge Saturday with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Carla Suarez Navarro.
Last year, Suarez Navarro beat Venus Williams in the second round and made it to the quarterfinals.
The Spaniard didn’t even get close this time, and the Williams sisters remained on course for a semifinal meeting when Venus held off Australia’s Casey Dellacqua 6-1, 7-6 (4), closing with an ace on her third match point.
Although I would have liked to see the sisters in the final, this will suffice. In fact, a perfect final would have Serena squaring off against Justine Henin, the seven-time Grand Slam champion who’s making her return to tennis after retiring in 2008. Henin has a record of 6-7 against Serena, which is far better than most.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
We already have an upset at the 2010 Australian Open. It took three achingly long hours, but Maria Kirilenko defeated countrywoman Maria Sharapova 7-6, 3-6, 5-4 in the first round. Dressed for late-night dancing in Hawaii rather than competitive tennis, Maria Sharapova never got comfortable as she struggled with her serve and stumbled around the court. After overcoming a shoulder injury, we expected Sharapova to arrive reinvigorated and close to top form. During her loss against Kirilenko, however, it’s obvious that something is simply wrong with her game.
As for Kirilenko, this is one of the biggest victories of her career. The women’s draw at this tournament is loaded with decorated players, but that shouldn’t frighten Kirilenko. Given her performance in this match, she should give any of them a run for their money.
Pic of Sharapova (and her night club outfit) after the jump.
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