WHO THE CAPS FIT……..MURRAY AND SERENA EMERGE KING AND QUEEN OF NEW YORK IN FLUSHING MEADOWS…

It was written in the stars. History was made at the recently concluded US OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT. However gratifying as the competition was from start to finish, British fans wouldn’t have survived another day had Andy blown the opportunity to hoist his first Grand Slam trophy in his 5^th final. But they might have been consoled of course by the gold medal he won a couple of weeks ago in front of the entire Britain so to speak.

The 2012 US OPEN commenced without the 2010 champion, Rafael Nadal who was(and is still) nursing a knee injury that has kept him out of 4 major competitions since lost to a certain Lukas Rosol at SW19 (Wimbledon). But that didn’t take away the spectacle and excitement that the United States Open brings year in, year out. The tourney still boasted of stellar names like King Roger Federer- Tenniss’ GOAT, defending champion-Novak Djokovic, Jo-Willy Tsonga, 09 Champ, Juan Martin Del Potro (otherwise known as the Tower of Tandil), 07 Semi-finalist, David Ferrer, Mardy Fish, the retiring 03 CHAMP, Andy Roddick, Czech power player and Giant Killer, Tomas Berdych, etc.

The Anticipated semi-final contest between Murray and King Roger was not to be because Mr Berdych stopped the Swiss Living Legend in the Quarter-Final…ousting him in 4 sets. Murray dispatched Berdman (Berdych) subsequently in the Semis and thus set up a tantalising, mouth watering, marquee Final v the Serbian warrior, Novak Djokovic who is arguably the most difficult tennis player to put away in any era ever. The 2011 ATP Player of the year by a country mile was contesting his 3^rd major final of 2012…same as the previous year…but was on the losing end the last time he played (lost to Nadal in Paris). In contrast to 2011, Djokovic was suddenly beatable again, but he still posed the stiffest test on the ATP tour. Murray was buoyed by the fact that he was in his 2^nd US OPEN Final (lost in 08 to King Roger) and come Tuesday (3 days ago) he would climb above his friend Rafa into the no 3 position on the ATP/S.A AIRWAYS RANKINGS.  Murray was confident that finally, he could play a game that would rattle the Djoker. In Ivan Lendl, Murray possessed a man who knew everything about heart break and success. Like the Scot, Ivan also lost his 1^st four Grand Slam finals and 9 of the 17 he played.. This was Murray’s 5^th and he intended to win his 1^st.

The Scot took the 1^st 2 sets…even though he let a 4-0 lead slip in the 2^nd… But Vintage Nole came storming back from the snare of collapse to even the match at 2 sets apiece in breathtaking fashion. It was a final worth mentioning in the books of great tennis writers such as Steve Fink and Bud Collins. The Djoker of the last year or two will make you fight for every point you intend to win against him. He is the definition of RESILIENCE. H e is no longer the annoying guy who would retire when he senses he is way behind in a match. But Murray wouldn’t let this slip. Not when Greats like Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Sean Connery were among those who cheered him on. Both men were Scots too and would have been disappointed if he lost a match he led quite convincingly at least until Djokovic upped the stakes. Murray came out smoking in the deciding set and af5ter breaking Djokovic, he never faltered from there on, taking the set 6-2 and the match in 5 phenomenal sets. The likes of Mat CRONIN, John MCENROE,  his brother-Par, Craig Gabriel were quick to tag the match one of the all time greats in the modern era. They weren’t far from the truth.

At last, Murray has ended the British Grand Slam drought which has lasted for 76 years (since 1936)… Fred Perry’s ghost would no longer haunt the young man and other Brits who kept wailing and biting their nails until the last point was played on Monday. A huge Burden which weighed down the likes of Tim Henman, has been binned by the new World Number 3 who would hope to kick on from here. Who knows? Melbourne might be just the perfect atmosphere for Slam no 2….After all, he’s lost 2 finals there already in his career. (10-Federer, 11-Djokovic). He can join his friends,  Rafa, King Roger-and Nole as the only men to reach all four grand slam finals in this era if he goes one better than his 2011 semi-final showing in Paris. Nadal is returning to Grand Slam play in Australia,  Federer hasn’t triumphed there for 2 years and  Novak is the 2-time defending champion so it might be a tall order. He is capable of beating all of them on his day. Only Rafa Nadal has beaten him (Murray) more than 10 times.

Serena Williams has won a staggering 14 grand slams.. Any other mortal would have since stopped especially when dogged by injury and fitness problems, but not Serena and her older sister, Venus who between them have won just about everything Tennis has to offer. Standing between her and a possible 15^th was World Number one, Viktoria Azarenka. The Belarusian has been the woman of 2012…Since winning her maiden slam in Australia, she’s gone on to play some awesome tennis all through the year, winning tournaments for fun and taking friends and colleagues to the cleaners along the way.  But even with such terrific run, she was aware that she had her hands full v the 3-time US OPEN Champion who she had only beaten once in 10 outings on tour-the 09 Key Biscayne Final in Miami…and in that match, Serena was barely fit.  The American superstar also just whipped her silly at Wimbledon and the Olympic games. The odds were against Vika as Aazarenka is fondly called, but she was willing to fight her way out.

Serena began as predicted…smashing and blasting in serves and aces like they were going extinct. She deservedly took the 1^st set 6-2, but in a rather bizarre manner, she mentally collapsed and allowed Viktoria into the match. The Belarusian took her chance and even the scores at  1set all with a 6-2 2^nd set win of hers. She carried on the momentum into the 3^rd set and served for her 2^nd slam at 5-4. It was then the multiple Slam Winner remembered that she was about to lose her 2^nd straight Grand Slam final at Arthur Ashe…(lost to Stosur in straight sets last year). In the first 3 set women’s final in 17 odd years,  Serena capitalised on Aza’s hesitancy and delivered a crushing blow just when it mattered. She swept through the next three games to win the set 7-5 and take the match in dramatic fashion. How she won, she would never be able to explain as she admitted to have already prepared for her 2^nd consecutive runner-up speech…. He was a worthy winner…This time, clearly without controversies like the one v Clijsters in 09 and Stosur last year when she couldn’t control her emotions and acted stupidly in the heat of the moment. All that was history now as she once again wore the Queen’s crown in New York. Something she last achieved in 08-(trounced Jankovic).

HEARTY  CONGRATULATIONS TO  BOTH CHAMPIONS….LEGENDARY STATUS CONFIRMED!

Ohireime P. Eboreime

Ff me @ohiskaka1990

Murray finally buries his demons?

Andy Murray is one of the elites of men's tennis...22 titles and 4 GRAND SLAM finals put him up there among the greatest players in the History of the game... But take it or leave it, he'll forever be remembered as an also-ran if he doesn't win the big titles...if he doesn't win something very ENORMOUS. He must score a BIG WIN. This he finally managed to achieve 2 days ago in his home nation, on his ground..the very same ground where he lost his 1st Wimbledon final to Roger Federer a month prior.

The Olympic tennis tournament lost its defending champion, Rafael Nadal to injury days before its commencement, but that did little to take the shine off the showpiece event which by all standards, lived up to its billing. British hope, Andy Murray cleared all obstacles before him, including recently dethroned World Number one, Novak Djokovc and the current numero uno, Roger Federer to win Gold not only for himself, but also his nation-Great Britain. Any other man would have wallowed in self pity after losing a Slam final in front of his home fans, but not the Scot. After bruising Nole in straight sets, he went on to convincingly destroy the GREAT Roger Federer in 3 sets-6-2, 6-1, 6-4..it was the 1st time in a long long while that the Swiss master had crumbled in a major final (the last I remember is the 08 French Open final he lost to Rafa 6-1, 6-3,6-0).

The Dumblane native gave his fans something to shout and dance about with a brilliant display that left legends and experts alike in utter dismay. All the pre-match talk of a tight match and possibly yet another \nearly there\ was put to eternal slumber by Muzza. He etched his name in British Tennis History in stunning style. He played out of his mind to dismiss Djokovic in the SF, and did even better in the FINAL...

With this win, the Scot has firmly put himself in the reckoning for another shot at GRAND SLAM glory...Who knows??It might happen at Flushing Meadows-New York. NEVER SAY NEVER!

Ohireime Eboreime
ff me @ohiskaka1990

King Roger at 31...he's the GOAT....Many Happy Returns

August 8, 1981, a certain Tennis Master was born in Binningen. near Basel-Switzerland to Robert and Lynnette Federer. Since turning pro in 1998, Roger the great has broken almost all the records he met and created many that will take centuries to match. Not only is he a champion's champion, he is also one of the most humble and lovable human beings Sport has produced. Modesty is one enviable attribute that the Swiss master has in abundance. Despite his 75 titles, Federer is still as down to earth as ever.

Just fresh from winning a silver medal at the Olympics (l. to MURRAY), the GREATEST TENNIS PLAYER OF ALL TIME celebrates his 31st birthday today amid cheers, adulations, eulogies, praises and deserved felicitations from everyone associated with Sports. He was written off not long ago as an old man who wasn't capable of competing with Rafa and Nole.Some renamed him OLDERER, others called him a Finished Champion. But like Greats before him, he has responded in such unbelievable fashion, winning 8 titles and compiling a 76-10 w/l record since he turned 30....including his 17th Grand slam title and record 7th SW19 (Wimbledon)CROWN. His achievements are beyond astonishing. He has answered his critics finally by reclaiming the World number one spot, when he stretched his own Slam wins to 17 in July, beating home favourite, Andy Murray in 4 sets at the All England Club. The climb to WORLD NUMBER ONE was even more glamorous because of the manner he demolished then World number one, Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semis.

I GREET the GREATEST MAN TO HOLD THE TENNIS RACKET EVER...HAPPY BIRTHDAY KING ROGER.......HOPP SUISSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ff me on twitter @ohiskaka1990

Battle of Tactical SUPREMACY......who prevails in the COPA DEL REY FINAL?

Today is the day when two of the most illustrious football clubs in Spain do battle for the right to be bestowed upon the title of Domestic cup Champions. Outgoing Barcelona manager-Pep Guardiola would want nothing more than victory before handing over the reins of leadership to protege, Tito Vilanova.

Fresh from respective European disappointments, both clubs are aiming to end the season on a high. Athletic BILBAO can dream once again. Coach Marcelo BIELSA aka El Loco has brought back smiles to the supporters of the Basque county. Despite the Europa League set back, it has still been a memorable campaign for Athletic Club. Playing some scintillating and eye catching football along the way, they swept past the likes of Manchester United, Sporting and Schalke to set up an all-Spanish final v Atletico Madrid who later crushed them by 3 goals to nothing to claim their 2nd Europa League crown in 3 seasons.

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao are the 2 most successful clubs in King's (Copa Del Rey)cup History. Between them, 48 trophies have been won with both appearing in exactly the same number of finals (35)...The Catalans have won the most trophies 25, compared to Atheltic's 23. They last faced off 3 years ago, on Barca's way to a historic season, where they became the 1st club to win 6 trophies in one calendar year (2009). That day, Puyol and company won comfortably--4-1.

This year's final will be held at Atletico's Vincente Calderon, after Real Madrid refused the showpiece event to be held at their stadium (Santiago Bernabeu) for reasons best known to them. Barcelona will most likely be without David Villa, Captain and defensive rock-Carles Puyol and certainly Eric Abidal who recently announced that he will never play football again after undergoing liver transplant procedure..

The talking points in this marquee game will be Barca's vulnerability in defence and Bilbao's attacking potential. Although the talismanic LLORENTE has scored loads of goals this season, he misfired in the Europa League final and Barca will not give away too many chances. In players like Iker Muniain touted as the next Iniesta or even more talented, Athletic Club possess the necessary weapon(s) to stretch Barca beyond limits. Of course the world is well aware of the threat the Blaugrana (Barcelona) pose. The blessed trio of Xavi, Messi and Andres Iniesta are joined by Cesc Fabregas who has had a dream campaign, and Alexis Sanchez. The prodigiously gifted Ibra Afellay can be the unsung hero when called upon.

Apart from the small matter of the Copa Del Rey final later today, Barcelona will bid farewell to their most successful manager come the end of proceedings. Pep GUARDIOLA who is in line to claim a 14th major honour as Barca coach, is officially drawing the curtain on a stellar 4 year stint as leader and supreme commander of perhaps the greatest football army ever assembled. In his almost half a decade as manager, he has won all the trophies on offer--- 2 UCLs, 3 successive ligas and 2 CWCs among others. His unique footballing mindset and passing philosophy has paid dividends of magnificent proportions. The former Blaugrana midfielder has written his name in the top echelon of great managers in history and his records will take some beating, if indeed they will ever be surpassed. Today he faces his mentor and great friend, Marcelo Bielsa...the same man he sought his expert opinion when the call came for him to become a coach some six years ago. Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is one of the greatest managers in World football. The man nicknamed El loco, has won an Olympic gold and managed the likes of Chile and Argentina. His innovativeness and comprehensive knowledge of the beautiful game is second to none. In the 2 matches against Barcelona this season, Pep lauded the impressive approach of Bielsa's players to the games and the likes of Thiago and Mascherano spoke highly of the energy levels/retrieval pattern of the Basque players. This game is theoretically a battle of tactical adeptness.

So whatever respect and affection Pep and El Loco have for each other, sentiments will be discarded for at least 90 minutes when the game kicks off in Madrid.

AU REVOIR JOSEP GUARDIOLA.....THE FOOTBALL WORLD will forever be indebted to you and above all GRATEFUL!!!!! Wish you the best in your future endeavour.

Ohireime P. Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

SATURDAY CLASSIC....who laughs best in Munich???

Tomorrow's Champion's League final is to be contested by Bundesliga Runners-up and 4 time European Champions, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, fresh from winning their 4th F.A cup in 6 attempts. Italian manager, Roberto Di Matteo---otherwise known as RDM, has turned around the fortunes of the West London club which was in tatters when Andre Villas-Boas was shown the door. Bayern on the other hand, are still hurting from the disgraceful show they put up six days ago in Berlin v DORTMUND. The Bavarians will remember what happened to Bayer Leverkusen 10 years ago when they lost all three trophies they were poised to win. Typical nearly men.

Both teams will rue the fact that they are going to be without the services of very important players. For Chelsea, Captain Terry, Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul MEIRELES are suspended. While the Reds of Germany have Luis Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber suffering the same fate. Coach Jupp Heynckes will be hoping that Belgian trojan, Daniel Van BUYTEN can be the man to stop the Chelsea onslaught which is going to be led (barring any unforessen circumstances) by Didier Drogba.

Both teams are chasing a bit of history at the Allianz ArenA tomorrow. Chelsea can lift their first Champions League crown and also secure Champions League football tomorrow. Bayern can add to their 4 European Cups and also become the first team to win the Champions League in their own stadium. If DIE ROTEN lift the cup, they would match fellow EUROPEAN GIANTS, Liverpool in title won in Europe's most glamorous and prestigious cup competition (5 titles).

Chelsea must do everything possible to curtail the attacking finesse of robben and ribery who will pose causes for concern all day long. The biggest enemy of the blues on the night will without any iota of doubt be 41 goal pointman, Mario GOMEZ who will be aiming to equal or surpass the League's highest goal scorer---Barca's Lionel Messi who is on 14 goals (The highest ever in 1 single campaign).

English powerhouse, Chelsea might be depleted on paper, but they still possess some of the greatest footballers on the planet in Lampard, Drogba and of course Torres. Bayern Captain, Philipp Lahm has still not forgotten the way and manner El Nino destroyed him in the Euro 08 final at the Legendary ERNST HAPPEL Stadium in Vienna. The Spanish kid might not be anything like the player he once was, but he has the ability (loads of it) to decide any match on his day. Days don't come any bigger than tomorrow, do they?

Chelsea caretaker boss, RDM will etch his name in Chelsea folklore if he wins the Champions League and that will all but seal his place as coach of the Pensioners on a permanent basis (at least until Abramovic wields the axe yet again). For players like Frank Lampard, Ddier Drogba and especially John Terry who missed what would have been the winning PK in 2008, it will be the crowning achievement of their trophy laden careers.

 Probable line-ups for both teams are:

BAYERN-------> neuer, van buyten/tymoschuk, boateng, lahm, contento, schweinsteiger, kroos, robben, ribery, muller, gomez.

CHELSEA-------> cech, cahill, luiz, a.cole, bosingwa, mikel, lampard, malouda, mata, torres, drogba

Ohireime P.Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

CITIZENS BORROW A LEAF FROM FERGIE'S BOOK TO END 44 YEARS OF MISERY.....Does this portend a power shift in MANCHESTER???

When Manchester City fell to a very well deserved defeat at the Emirates (v. the Arsenal). The title race was all but over (or so we thought) Who would have thought that with 5 games remaining, Manchester United would blow an 8-point lead? Something Fergie AND his winners very rarely do. But as they say,'NEVER SAY NEVER'. After a dismal run that saw the 12-time EPL CHAMPIONS drop 8 points in 4 games, Manchester City capitalised and drew level on points and then the die became cast. It all boiled down to the last day.With both teams on 86 points (but MCFC HAD A SUPERIOR GD of +8), Man Utd had to destroy Martin O'Neil's Sunderland by at least 9 unreplied goals and hope City's strikers fail to sparkle. It was a slim hope....44 years is a long time for anyone not to have something and when the opportunity comes on a platter, the good who want to become great take it with aplomb.

MUFC 'S task was all made the more difficult as they had to go to the stadium of light to score a bagfull of goals against a reinvigorated Sunderland..while MCFC had to just dismiss QPR to be crowned CHAMPIONS....On paper, Mancini had the easier path to GLORY.MUFC struck first through the indispensable Wayne Rooney whose 20th minute header gave his side the lead-----------> his 27th league goal (a personal best). But City responded with a goal of their own.....Injured Gnegneri Yaya Toure threaded a great ball onto the path of Pablo Zabaleta who coolly slotted past Paddy Kenny to put his team well on their way. Half time was upon us with fans of both clubs biting their fingers.

The 2nd half was more interesting as QPR, fighting for survival, struck through Djibril Cisse (his 6th in 8 games) to level matters. Then a moment of pure, unmatched idiocy from supposed Captain of QPR, Joey Barton gave City a man advantage. The Englishman, who never ceases to amaze the football world took to kicking and punching the diminutive Argies (TEVEZ AND AGUERO) on the pitch. United fans feared the worst and admittedly, the expected from here on. But much to utter astonishment, QPR struck again to lead City. This time Jamie Mackie was the scorer. MUFC fans went berserk in an almost delirium state...the title was going to remain at the Theatre of Dreams was the song on everyone's lips....but there was yet another twist in the tale.

As a result of Barton's stupidity, the Ref added 5 minutes of injury time and like typical Manchester United, City came back with 2 goals from Dzeko and Aguero in two minutes to seal the league title their sometimes 'out-of-this-planet' displays deserved.

    IT WAS OFFICIAL: MANCHESTER CITY BROKE THEIR 44 YEAR JINX AND HELD ALOFT THE 20THE EPL TITLE.....



................TITLE CELEBRATIONS GOING A BIT OVER THE TOP

Officials, players , fans and indeed everyone associated with Manchester City went partying into the night after a wonderful season which saw them crowned EPL CHAMPIONS. Excited and joyous, they took to the streets the very next day (Monday, 14th May 2012) to parade their newest trophy addition.

It was going well as planned until the prodigal Carlos Tevez thought it was a clever idea to hold up a placard which had 'R.I.P FERGIE' written boldly on it. It was a slap on Ferguson and Manchester United's face, not just as a result of the inscription, but because it was held up by a former red devil who was showing ingratitude and more painfully, the unforgettable way the league title was relinquished. Manchester United immediately offered its apology on the development which MUFC duly accepted. But SAF will be well aware that the only way o shut Tevez and City up, is on the field of play cum next season and beyond/

OHIREIME P EBOREIME
ff me on Twitter--->@ohiskaka1990

103 years is not FOREVER-----------The BORUSSIANS are GERMANY'S BEST!

Jurgen Klopp, tipped to be a future manager of DIE MANNSCAFT (The German National Team) has done it again.After earning plaudits in the 2010-11 season for steering the black yellows to its 7th BUNDESLIGA Title, he has gone one better to secure the side's 1sr DOUBLE in its 103 year history.

The season didn't start brightly for the ambitious borussen. The first 6 games yielded just 3 wins. Afterwards, they kicked on a remarkable run that saw them go unbeaten in 30+ League and Cup games, including vital wins against Bayern and arch-enemies, Schalke.
Buoyed by the superb displays of Shinji Kagawa, Lukasz Piszczek, Robert Lewandowski, Matt Hummels, Neven Subotic, and Talisman, Mario Gotze, DIE SCHWARZGELBEN tore past their opponents with ruthlessness like never before seen. The drive, desire and determination that ultimately leads to success was there for all to marvel. Despite an injury midway through the season to Subotic and Gotze, they still went on to win the league with 2 games to spare...capping the phenomenal achievement with a good home win over Bayern and a Ruhr derby victory away at Gelsenkirchen v Schalke

May 12, 2012 represented the one and only chance of the season to add to their trophy haul-------> THE DFB POKAL (GERMAN CUP). It was a clash between the two best teams in Germany at the moment. Bayern Munchen (Munich) who are UCL finalists and them (Dortmund) who just won the league.
At the end of proceedings, it was a surprise demolition  Dortmund annihilated the Bavarians 5-2 with Polish assassin, Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 30. The same man whose 22 League goals (Including the only goal v Bayern at the Iduna) helped his team to the summit of the Bundesliga. The crushing defeat was the 5th successive Bayern had suffered against klopp and it came at a very bad time for the Reds. Uli, Karl, Franz, and Jupp congratulated Watzke's Dortmund and thus shifted their focus to the CL FINAL V Chelsea.

The victory over Bayern was even more significant for Ballspiel-Verein Borussia (BVB) because it cemented their position as the best team in Germany and secured the 1st  eve LEAGUE AND CUP SUCCESS in more than a Century of existence. However, they must regroup next season because some important players will ALMOST CERTAINLY jump ship and must be replaced. Also, for Klopp and his boys to be mentioned in the same breath as the great European teams, their fortunes in Europe must change. Their foray into the European scene this term was a COMPLETE FAILURE. Furthermore, for the aforementioned to be described in the same sentence as Hitzfeld, he must perform admirably well in Europe.

OHIREIME P EBOREIME
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990