FRISCO, Texas – Sam Houston State forward Kai Mitchell is the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Southland Conference Players of the Week are presented by MidSouth Bank. In a 22-point victory over A&M-Corpus Christi, Mitchell poured in 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting in just 26 minutes and grabbed nine boards. He also blocked a pair of Islanders’ shots. Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots. The Haverstraw, N.Y., native averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in a pair of Bearkat wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Houston Baptist, extending the team’s win streak to six games. Mitchell and the Bearkats aim to stay perfect in league play (5-0) with a road contest against Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday before returning home to host Lamar at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Men’s Basketball Player of the Week – Kai Mitchell, Sam Houston State – Jr. – Forward – Haverstraw, N.Y. He extended his double-digit scoring streak to five games and added a trio of blocks and assist against the Huskies. This marks the first player of the week honor for a Sam Houston State student-athlete in 2018-19. Honorable Mention: Jalone Friday, Abilene Christian; Kevon Harris, Stephen F. Austin; Hayden Koval, Central Arkansas Mitchell scored the first six points of the game and reached double digits in the first 10 minutes on his way to posting a game-high 18 points in a road triumph over Houston Baptist on Saturday.
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FRISCO, Texas – Abilene Christian’s Josh Sheehy and Central Arkansas’ Chunxi Xin are the Southland Conference Men’s and Women’s Tennis Players of the Week, the league announced Wednesday. Southland Conference Players of the Week are presented by MidSouth Bank.Sheehy recorded the match-clinching point Friday with an upset of No. 50 Carles Sarrio to help the Wildcats (11-3) take down SMU 4-3 on the road for their fifth-straight team victory.Abilene Christian takes the weekend off before two road matches against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Harding on March 9 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT, respectively.After missing the opening month of the season due to injuries, Xin made her collegiate debut Saturday, earning the Bears’ only point in a 4-1 loss at No. 34 Missouri. The next day, she won her singles and doubles matches in a 6-1 win over Missouri State, also in Columbia, Mo.Central Arkansas opens conference play at home against Lamar at noon Friday and faces Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at noon Sunday in Waco.Men’s Tennis Player of the Week – Josh Sheehy, Abilene Christian – Senior – Arlington, TexasSheehy claimed his fifth-consecutive singles win and ninth of the spring season after upsetting No. 50 Carles Sarrio 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Alongside brother Jonathan, Sheehy’s top-line doubles match was left unfinished with the score tied at 5-5. The weekly honor is the second for Josh and the fourth for the team as Jonathan has also taken home two weekly awards.Honorable Mention: Carlos Pedrosa Cuevas, Texas A&M-Corpus ChristiWomen’s Tennis Player of the Week – Chunxi Xin, Central Arkansas – Freshman – Baoding, ChinaIn the first spring collegiate match of her career, Xin rebounded after losing set two 3-6 to edge Missouri’s Lisa Fukutoku 7-6 in the final frame. The next morning, Xin picked up her second-straight win in a 6-3, 6-2 sweep of Missouri State’s Anna Alons before joining forces with teammate Marli Van Heerden to win 6-4 in doubles play. Honorable Mention: Jasmin Buchta, Lamar; Carolina Bulatovic, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Jelena Dordan, Incarnate Word; Sahaja Yamalapalli, Sam Houston State.Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on at least 25 percent of ballots.
The contest is one of 117 broadcasts across the ESPN Networks and various other platforms on the slate of television and streaming games for the 2019-20 season. Coverage will also be provided for each matchup in the Southland Conference Tournament, set to take place March 11-14 at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. The Southland title game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. on March 14 on ESPN2. SEC Network Plus:Wednesday, Nov. 6 – Northwestern State at Texas A&M, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 6 – UIW at Missouri, 7 p.m.Friday, Nov. 8 – Sam Houston State at Mississippi State, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 16 – Nicholls at LSU, 3 or 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 17 – New Orleans at Mississippi State, 2 p.m.Monday, Nov. 25 – Southeastern Louisiana at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.Friday, Dec. 6 – Stephen F. Austin at Alabama, 7 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 15 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Texas A&M, 5 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 21 – Southeastern Louisiana at Mississippi, 1 p.m. ESPN+:Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Central Arkansas at Baylor, 11 a.m.Wednesday, Nov. 6 – LeTourneau at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 6 – McNeese at Western Michigan, 7:00 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 9 – McNeese at Louisiana, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Lamar at Duquesne, 6 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 13 – Niagara at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 20 – LeTourneau at Sam Houston State, 6:30 p.m.Friday, Nov. 22 – McNeese at Richmond, 6 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 23 – Southeastern Louisiana at Austin Peay, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana, 7 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 5 – Southeast Missouri State at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 7 – Rice at Lamar, 2 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 14 – ULM at Stephen F. Austin, 8 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 18 – Southeastern Louisiana at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 21 – Nicholls at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 28 – Paul Quinn at Stephen F. Austin, 2 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 29 – Southeastern Louisiana at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 8 – McNeese at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 15 – Sam Houston State at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 18 – UIW at Stephen F. Austin, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 18 – Southeastern Louisiana at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 22 – Abilene Christian at Sam Houston State, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 25 – Stephen F. Austin at Lamar, 4:30 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Sam Houston State, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Abilene Christian at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Nicholls at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Central Arkansas at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 8 – New Orleans at Stephen F. Austin, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 8 – Lamar at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Houston Baptist at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 19 – Lamar at Sam Houston State, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 19 – Central Arkansas at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 22 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Lamar, 4:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 22 – Houston Baptist at Sam Houston State, 5:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Northwestern State at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 26 – UIW at Lamar, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Sam Houston State at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 29 – Central Arkansas at Abilene Christian, 3:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 29 – UIW at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 3:30 p.m.Tuesday, March 3 – Stephen F. Austin at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, March 7 – McNeese at Lamar, 4:30 p.m.Tuesday, March 7 – Sam Houston State at Stephen F. Austin, 4:30 p.m.Wednesday, March 11 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 1 – First Round, 5 p.m.Wednesday, March 11 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 2 – First Round, 7:30 p.m.Thursday, March 12 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 3 – Second Round, 5 p.m.Thursday, March 12 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 4 – Second Round, 7:30 p.m.Friday, March 13 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 5 – Semifinal Round, 5 p.m.Friday, March 13 – Southland Men’s Tournament Game 6 – Semifinal Round, 7:30 p.m. Six other teams begin their campaign Tuesday, including defending Southland Conference Tournament champion Abilene Christian facing Arlington Baptist in the league’s nightcap at 7:30 p.m. Reigning regular-season champion Sam Houston State hosts Paul Quinn at 6:30 p.m. Longhorn Network:Saturday, Nov. 30 – McNeese at Texas, 1 p.m. ESPN2:Saturday, Dec. 28 – New Orleans at Memphis, 12:30 p.m.Saturday, March 14 – Southland Men’s Tournament Championship, 8:30 p.m. Big Ten Network:Wednesday, Nov. 13 – McNeese at Wisconsin, 6 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 29 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Nebraska, 3 p.m. Big Ten Network Plus:Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Nicholls at Illinois, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 20 – Stephen F. Austin at Rutgers, 6 p.m.Friday, Nov. 22 – Houston Baptist at Michigan, 6 p.m. Mountain West Network:Saturday, Nov. 16 – McNeese at New Mexico, 7 p.m. ACC Network:Tuesday, Nov. 12 – Central Arkansas at Duke, 6 p.m. WAC Digital Network:Thursday, Nov. 21 – Lamar at Utah Valley, 8 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 30 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at UTRGV, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 3 – UIW at Seattle, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Sam Houston State at UTRGV, 7 p.m. West Coast Conference Network:Saturday, Dec. 14 – Central Arkansas at Pepperdine, 7 p.m. SEC Network:Monday, Nov. 11 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 24 – Lamar at Kentucky, 6 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 3 – New Orleans at LSU, 8 p.m.Sunday, Dec. 8 – Northwestern State at LSU, 3 p.m. Houston Baptist travels to Tulsa for a noon tip off against the Golden Hurricane, and Nicholls faces a road test against Illinois at 7 p.m. Northwestern State will square off with in-state foe Centenary at 5:30 p.m.
ACC Network Extra:Saturday, Nov. 9 – Nicholls at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m. 2019-20 Southland Men’s Basketball Television & Streaming Schedule (PDF)2019-20 Southland Men’s Basketball Media Guide ESPN3:Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Champion Christian at Lamar, 11 a.m.Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Houston Baptist at Tulsa, NoonTuesday, Nov. 5 – Paul Quinn at Sam Houston State, 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 5 – Arlington Baptist at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 6 – Southeastern Louisiana at Tulane, 7 p.m.Friday, Nov. 8 – Arlington Baptist at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 9 – North Carolina Central at Stephen F. Austin, 1:30 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 12 – New Orleans at SMU, 7 p.m.Friday, Nov. 15 – Mount St. Mary’s at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 16 – Northwestern State at Tulane, 1 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 16 – Drexel at Stephen F. Austin, 5:30 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 16 – Pepperdine at Abilene Christian, 7:30 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Houston Baptist at Houston, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Sam Houston State at CSU-Bakersfield, 9:30 p.m.Friday, Nov. 29 – Abilene Christian at SMU, 7 p.m.Monday, Dec. 2 – Arlington Baptist at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Northwestern State at SMU, 7 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 7 – Dallas Christian at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Southern at Lamar, 7 p.m.Wednesday, Dec. 18 – Houston Baptist at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 4 – Abilene Christian at Lamar, 2 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 8 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Stephen F. Austin, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 8 – Nicholls at Lamar, 7 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 11 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Abilene Christian, 3:30 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 25 – Southeastern Louisiana at Northwestern State, 3 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 1 – Stephen F. Austin at Sam Houston State, 5:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 1 – UIW at Abilene Christian, 7 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 15 – Houston Baptist at Lamar, 2 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 15 – Southeastern Louisiana at Nicholls, 3 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 15 – Central Arkansas at Sam Houston State, 3:30 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 29 – Lamar at Stephen F. Austin, 4:30 p.m. Fox Sports 1:Saturday, Dec. 28 – Central Arkansas at Marquette, 1 p.m. 2019-20 Southland Men’s Basketball Television & Streaming Schedule Pac-12 Network:Saturday, Dec. 7 – Central Arkansas at Utah, 4 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 21 – UIW at Washington State, 6 p.m. FloSports:Sunday, Nov. 10 – Abilene Christian at Drexel, 2 p.m. Fox Sports Southwest:Saturday, Dec. 14 – Lamar at TCU, 2 p.m. Fox Sports Go:Saturday, Nov. 9 – Central Arkansas at Georgetown, 11 a.m.Saturday, Nov. 9 – New Orleans at Butler, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Stephen F. Austin at Duke, 8 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 14 – Nicholls at West Virginia, 2 p.m. Conference USA TV:Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at UTSA, 7 p.m. New Orleans, the preseason favorite according to the preseason poll voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, takes on Spring Hill at 7 p.m. FRISCO, Texas – The 56th season of Southland Conference men’s basketball tips off at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 5, when Central Arkansas takes on No. 16 Baylor in Waco, Texas, on ESPN+, and Lamar hosts Champion Christian.
KION ETETE is expected to have a big future at Tottenham.And the young striker is already a massive figure at the club’s training ground as he stands at 6ft 6 ins – and is about to rise to 6ft 7ins.4 Kion Etete is a 6ft 6in centre forward making giant strides with SpursCredit: Getty Images – GettyEtete, 18, was a £200,000 arrival at Spurs from Notts County in the summer and has already impressed for the club’s under-18s.He made his debut for Tottenham’s development squad in a Leasing.com Trophy match against Colchester on October 8.The scores were level at 1-1 after normal time and Etete struck one of the penalties in a 6-5 shoot-out win.A THROWBACKThe player who hails from Derby is a real throwback into past times as he is a traditional number nine.He is a quick, powerful player who is good in the air. He holds the ball up well and under the guidance of highly-respected academy director John McDermott, Spurs will be hoping Etete can continue to improve and develop over the coming season.Etete has scored twice in five appearances for Tottenham under-18s and is expected to soon be given a chance with their under-23s with first-team boss Mauricio Pochettino always keen to move players through.NOTTS COUNTYPreviously, he made his debut for Notts County aged 16 under the eye of former boss Harry Kewell. He was a 76th minute substitute in an EFL Trophy clash with Newcastle under-23s in October of last year.He also played in four League Two games as a sub for Notts, against Port Vale, Morecambe, Oldham and Cambridge and also made a late cameo appearance in a 4-0 FA Cup loss at Barnsley.4 Spurs signed Etete from Notts County for £200k in the summer4 Harry Kewell handed Etete his debut with Notts County last seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport4 Etete has hit the ground running since signing for Spurs and is starring in their youth sidelatest football featuresHOUSE OF GODMaradona’s teenage home now a quirky museum made to look like it was in 1978TIM VICKERYCunha’s goals for Hertha Berlin show he can succeed Firmino & Jesus for BrazilMAN THEY’RE BADMan Utd’s worst kits include vintage green and gold shirt & ‘cursed’ greyLewdicrousInside Lewandowski’s £7m flat in Poland with private cinema and a golf simulatorExclusiveTIM VICKERYBarcelona target Martinez stood out as a teen because of his talent and graftGONE TO THE DOGSGrealish, Sterling & Noble among Prem stars protected by £25k guard dogsMALIBU STANArsenal owner Kroenke’s £20m Malibu home where Princess Di was set to move inGROOM-ALDORonaldo’s hairstyles through the years, from blond highlights to tight top knotEtete completed his move to Tottenham after impressing in a trial against West Ham when he scored two goals in a 5-2 win.He also became the third Notts academy player to move to a Premier League side in recent years.Jack Bearne left for Liverpool in December 2016 and in 2018, the highly-rated midfielder Dongda completed a switch to Wolves.Christian Eriksen blasts rumours Spurs team-mate Jan Vertonghen slept with his girlfriend and sparked dressing-room bust-up with Harry Kane
President Alex Toki says this grand final will be one of the biggest in the history of soccer in the LFA and will feature all the 11 division teams, both women and men’s.Toki says the grand final day will feature under 17, Under 20, Under 20 Reserves grade both men’s and women’s , 1st Division men’s, A League and Premiers.Toki says two fields will be used and before the main grand final there will be a curtain raiser game between Lae Masters and Wau Masters, both team’s players comprise old Morobe soccer players plus the grand final of Meri Futbol in junior women’s program.Toki said in under 17 women’s, Bara will take on 12A Pascols while in Men’s Balob will go up against Zilu Scientific West. In under 20 women’s 8 Mile Pukpuks will challenge Malabu while Men’s will see Ahi taking on ADCO and Balob up against Malabu in under 20 division two.Another grand final match in the under 20 reserve division two will see City United challenging Blue Kumuls while in other reserves men’s, Poro will challenge Trobriand Island.The main game in the afternoon will be between Wantoks and Lae Biscuit Poro in women’s A League division while B League men’s will feature Eriku wawens testing Chakalua and will end with Premier League division grand final between City United taking on Lae Biscuit Poro.Toki said that the games will feature new and upcoming NSL players and urged NSL team selectors to make their way to Lae and watch the game.
In the plate grand final, Brothers (1) will go up against North East.Brothers thrashed Nova 38-14 in the semi-final while North East were too strong for Wanderers (1), winning 28-0.In the Cup grand final, the University Piggies will play the Harlequins.Piggies edged out Baike Brothers 22-21.In the second Cup grand final, Harlequins romped home to victory over Defence 22-19.
“We’re just lacking getting the basics right at the moment. We’re not completing our sets of six, our ball control is poor and so is our defence.“The Gurias capitalized on this and beat this. They were the better side yesterday afternoon. “This week at training will be about getting back to the basics and making sure we do the simple things right,” said Kereme.He added that there will definitely be changes made for this Sunday’s round 4 clash against the TNA Simbu Lions at home in Mendi.The Muruks have lost two games this season and are sitting second last on the ladder with 1 competition point.This came from a 16-16 draw with the Wamp Nga Mt.Hagen Eagles in round two.
On the eve of Representative Round, representative players from Australia, New Zealand, City, Country and Pacific teams gathered at Rugby League Central in a combined show of support and to reaffirm efforts to end domestic violence.Representative players included Corey Parker (Kangaroos), Ruan Sims (Jillaroos), Sarina Fiso (Ferns), James Maloney (Country), Wade Graham (City), Peni Terepo (Tonga), Stanton Albert (PNG) and Eloni Vunakece (Fiji).The NRL has worked alongside domestic violence partners Our Watch, White Ribbon and Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia to develop additional resources and education tools in the fight against domestic violence, with a new commercial, website and education sessions announced today.Ambassador Alan Tongue will lead a group of NRL ambassadors in visiting communities throughout regional and rural Australia, helping to educate young men in particular on the importance of standing up, speaking out and taking action against domestic violence.”Our strong stance against this terrible issue is one of the most important messages that we can impart on communities and as a game, we will continue to do everything we can to prevent domestic violence,” Mr Tongue said.”We have a responsibility to our Rugby League players, their families and our communities at large to ensure they receive the education, support and resources available to make informed decisions and ultimately, make positive and consistent behaviour choices.”Kangaroos player Matt Scott will join Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga in a new commercial that highlights the need to communicate and speak out against domestic violence before it is too late.And a new website has been created, providing testimonials and interviews with former and current rugby league players, together with support options and advice from the NRL’s domestic violence partners.The NRL has received funding from ‘Our Watch’ (an independent, not for profit organisation aimed at eradicating domestic violence) to continue to reach existing and new communities and educate communities that violence of any kind is not okay.CEO Mary Barry congratulated the NRL on its continued stand against domestic violence and additional resources announced.”This isn’t a sporting issue or a rugby league issue, however sport has the opportunity to play an important role in preventing violence against women and their children,” said Ms Barry.”Sporting clubs and organisations bring together large numbers of people and are a ready-made environment to promote women’s participation and opportunities to eliminate gender-based discrimination, disrespect for women and violence-supportive attitudes.”It is pleasing that this is what the NRL is doing and the code should be commended for providing ongoing awareness towards ending discrimination and violence against women.”The NRLs domestic violence commercial will air for the first time during the upcoming Downer Test Match on Friday 6 May and education resources can be viewed online. Key messages:• One in three women in Australia have experienced physical violence. This is unacceptable.• The NRL, together with players, Clubs, States, Pacific neighbours and communities, wants to continue to be a catalyst for change and contribute directly to the long-term prevention of domestic violence.• The game is strengthening its ongoing work and resolve to stand up, speak out and take action against domestic violence – forming a coalition alongside domestic violence experts, to change the behaviours, attitudes and actions of those in our communities that think domestic violence is ok.• The NRL has received funding from ‘Our Watch’ (a Federal Government department aimed at eradicating domestic violence) to continue to reach existing and new communities and educate young males in particular, that violence of any kind is not ok.• Voice Against Violence includes a Grassroots program for 16 – 18 year olds, a new commercial and website, aimed at decreasing and ultimately, ending domestic violence.
The 37-member FIFA Council, which makes strategic decisions for soccer’s governing body, will on Tuesday decide whether to increase the tournament from the current 32 teams to either 40 or 48, starting in 2026.Infantino, elected last February to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, pledged during his campaign to enlarge the tournament – a promise designed especially to appeal to the bulk of FIFA’s 211 member associations that rarely or never qualify for World Cups.Infantino now says he has “overwhelming support” for his plans.The Council’s nine European representatives seem least likely to support the change.A spokesman for the European governing body UEFA offered little enthusiasm, saying it was “currently gathering feedback from its national associations – which are the ones directly impacted by any change”.The association representing Europe’s most powerful clubs, already struggling to nurse players through long domestic seasons, last month wrote to Infantino to say that “politics and commerce should not be the exclusive priority in football”.But even if the Europeans oppose the expansion, Infantino’s comment suggests they will be in a minority.Critics argue against expansion plansCritics say it would be wrong to change a 32-team format that, in 2014 in Brazil, produced a tournament of exhilarating football, unpredictable results and few meaningless or hopelessly one-sided matches.German football boss Reinhard Grindel said on Thursday that FIFA should stick to its “tried and tested formula”, and that all of the possible alternatives had “considerable weaknesses”.Infantino has said his preferred option is for a 48-team tournament that would start with 16 groups of three teams, where the top two would qualify for a knock-out round of 32.”For this alternative, the draw would probably have to be abolished to avoid tactical behaviour in final group matches,” said Grindel.”But having extra-time and penalties in the group stage is itself problematic, adding organisational difficulties to an already higher number of matches.”Infantino has also proposed a preliminary round of 16 knockout ties, with the winners joining 16 seeded teams in a 32-team group phase.”This would lengthen the tournament by one week for half of the participating teams, and considerably increase the burden on the players,” Grindel warned.There are also two proposals for a 40-team World Cup – the first featuring eight groups of five teams in the first round; and the second with 10 teams of four, where the group winners and six best runners-up would progress.Grindel said the first choice would lead to “a large number of matches where teams would be just playing for pride”, and the latter could leave some second-placed teams waiting for up to four days to find out whether they had qualified.”Past World Cups have always been tournaments that have enthused players, spectators and sponsors alike,” he said. “So why change it?”Reuters
From that Espanyol, who until the derby added 12 goals in favor and only two against after defeating Getafe (3-1), Alavés (1-0), Osasuna (1-0), Levante (2-1), Málaga (1-0), Hercules (3-0) and Sporting (1-0 ), It happens to the current one, that after nine home games he hasn’t won one, and has only been able to score against Getafe (1-1) and Betis (2-2). The numbers are chilling: d27 points, seven goals scored and 20 received. And colista. Unlike what is happening this season, when Espanyol has signed the worst home start In its 85 seasons of participation in LaLiga, the start at home of the 2010-11 season, with Mauricio Pochettino in command, was little less than magical. With seven wins, no draw and no defeat Espanyol was planted in December. A full 21 points out of 21 in Cornellà-El Prat that took him up in the classification to fourth place after 14 days, with 28 points. And so, on December 18, 2010, Barcelona landed to break the streak, with a painful 1-5 (double of Pedro and Villa, goals of Xavi and Osvaldo) that would truncate the winning rhythm already in the remainder of the season. And, as then, Now it is Barcelona that arrives in CornellàWho knows if with the broken mirror of what happened a decade ago it becomes the first parakeet victory of this entire League at home.
There is no streak in Cornellà-El Prat, which has long exceeded the threshold of a decade of operation, better than the one that occurred precisely ten years ago. In 2010. And, by the path that it takes, it will be as difficult to match as necessary to approach it so that the aspirations of permanence of Espanyol are real. The almighty Barcelona can invest tonight that record, which ended precisely against the Catalans.
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