Los Pumas Ring The Changes

Pumas coach Marcelo LOFFREDA has decided to retain just nine players of the side that played against France on Friday. The reason is due to the fixtures, on which Argentina will play two matches in five days.

Agustin PICHOT will once again lead the team and resumes his half-back partnership with Juan Martin HERNANDEZ.

Felipe CONTEPOMI, who kicked 12 points against hosts France in a gripping World Cup curtain raiser, continues at inside centre but his twin Manuel drops out of the squad.

In one of two changes to the backs, Gonzalo TIESI is instead handed the number 13 shirt and Federico Martin ARAMBURU replaces Horacio AGULLA on the left wing.

Only hooker Mario LEDESMA remains from the front row that ran out in Paris with Marcos AYERZA and Santiago Gonzalez BONORINO the new props.

Rimas Alvarez KAIRELIS replaces Carlos Ignacio FERNANDEZ LOBBE at lock and Martin DURAND is given the nod at blindside, coming in for Lucas OSTIGLIA.

The pack selected for Georgia is identical to the one that finished at the Stade de France.

Team: I Corleto; L Borges, G Tiesi, F Contepomi, F Aramburu; J-M Hernandez, A Pichot; M Ayerza, M Ledesma, S Bonorino, R Alvarez Kairelis, P Albacete, M Durand, J-M Fernandez Lobbe, J-M Leguizamon.

Replacements: A Basualdo, O Hasan, E Lozada, M Schusterman, N Miranda, F Todeschini, F Miras.

FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007

We have seen the men (Copa America 2007), the adolescents (Under-20), the boys (Under-17), the tallest (FIBA Americas), the ruthless (Los Pumas) and many more in action. Now it is time for the ladies to show us what they’ve got. I did remember writing a brief preview on the Senoritas Albiceleste back in April on what an achievement it was for them to qualify ahead of Brazil.

Overview

Back in 2003, Argentina made their FIFA Women's World Cup debut after CONMEBOL were granted an additional qualifying berth for the finals in the USA. Despite the fact that BORELLO's charges had something of a baptism of fire there, losing all three games, conceding 15 goals and scoring just one, they vowed to come back stronger for the experience.

26th November 2006 will forever be remembered as a landmark day in the annals of Argentine women's football. Not just because the team sealed qualification for China 2007, but also because of the manner in which they achieved it - beating archrivals Brazil for the first time, and all in front of their delighted supporters in the coastal resort of Mar del Plata

“The team has picked up plenty of experience," BORELLO says. "Naturally there's always room for improvement in this game, particularly in women's football. But the younger girls have come on leaps and bounds and that's made us more ambitious and flexible. It's the best thing that could have happened to us."

Before jetting off to the Orient, BORELLO also spoke of the almost religious fervour with which the game is followed at home and the pressure that puts on his charges. "Argentina have always been a world power in the men's game, and people seem keen therefore to compare us with them. We've still got some way to go obviously, but it's just something we have to put up with. If you look at the United States, the reverse is true. Their men aren't among the world's best, but the women are right up there."

The Group

Argentina could hardly be facing a tougher start to their Chinese campaign. First up in Group A are defending champions Germany, who beat the South Americans 6-1 back in 2003. Despite the odds, BORELLO is confident his side can come good. "The players were happy when they heard they'd been drawn against Germany. Just as they wanted revenge against Brazil, they now want to get their own back against the Germans. They won't have an easy time against us I can tell you."

The girls in blue and white then do battle with England and Japan, another side to put six past them four years ago. "I think we'll be fighting to be among the top ten within the next four years," continues BORELLO, undaunted by the challenges ahead. "This team is capable of anything, though. Once we get to China we'll be out to win each game."

The Team

Goalkeepers

Romina FERRO (1,No Club affiliation), Vanina CORREA (12, Renato Cesarini), Elisabeth MINNIG (21, AFA)

Defenders

Eva GONZALEZ (2, Boca Juniors), Valeria COTELO (3, Boca Juniors), Gabriela CHAVEZ (4, Independiente), Carmen BRUSCA (5, Boca Juniors), Sabrina BARBITTA (6, Boca Juniors), Clarisa HUBER (8, Boca Juniors), Catalina PEREZ (14, River Plate)

Midfielders

Rosana GOMEZ (11, Boca Juniors), Maria QUINONES (13, San Lorenzo), Florencia MANDRILE (15, San Lorenzo), Fabiana VALLEJOS (17, Boca Juniors)


Forwards

Ludmila MANICLER (7, Independiente), Natalia GATTI (9, Boca Juniors), Emilia MENDIETA (10, AFA), Andrea OJEDA (16, Boca Juniors), Maria POTASSA (18, AFA), Analia ALMEIDA (19, San Lorenzo), Mercedes PEREYRA (20, River Plate)

Coach

Jose Carlos BORRELLO

In goal, Argentina are fortunate to be able to call on the experienced and safe hands of Romina FERRO, at veteran of USA 2003.

Other senior players include the astute Marisa PEREZ in midfield, influential playmaker Rosana GOMEZ.

At the other end of the spectrum are defender Eva GONZALEZ and striker Maria POTASSA, two starlets who made the breakthrough at Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Russia 2006 and shot to fame with the winning goals against the previously all-conquering Canarinha.

Emilia MENDIETA was call upon as a replacement striker after injury suffered by the influential Mariela CORONEL at the very last minute

As for the team's playing style, BORELLO can take considerable satisfaction from seeing his charges mastering the passing and ball-control skills he values so highly. However, on the debit side, he still has some way to go in helping them overcome perhaps their biggest weakness: their profligacy in front of goal - a luxury they will not be permitted against the top teams in the world at China 2007.

Before her injury, CORONEL said that "The prospects are good. The team has improved a lot in the last few months, both collectively and individually, and our first objective is to get past the first round. I think we can do that because there's not that much difference between us and anyone now. We've closed the gap on the strongest sides."

And who can argue with her? Brazil for one can vouch for that improvement, and more than a few observers believe there could be a surprise or two in store in the Far East. Germany and Japan, Argentina's six-goal conquerors in 2003, are their first targets in China, and BORELLO's girls are itching to exact revenge

Los Pumas write a golden page in the history book

They were the underdogs, but the French knew how dangerous the Pumas could be. It's been not an easy task for Les Bleus to beat Argentina lately and the pressure of being favourites and playing at home, proved to be too much for them.

Argentina played a great first half, with the highlight being Ignacio CORLETO's try, and then hung on for dear life in the second to win 17-12 and to hand France their first ever defeat in the group stage of a Rugby World Cup.

This is also the first time France have been defeated by a team outside the Tri-Nations (New Zealand, South Africa and Australia) and England and the first time Los Pumas won their opening match (after losing to Fiji in 1987, Australia 1991 and 2003, England in 1995 and Wales in 1999).

Los Pumas are in control of their own destiny and if they beat Georgia and Namibia (they should) and then they defeat Ireland (they could), then the miracle of avoiding the All Blacks in the quarterfinals will be possible and their adventure in the World Cup could continue as far as to the semifinals (with a probable face-off against Italy or Scotland in the quarterfinals).

But now is not the time to talk about that. Now's the time to enjoy the moment, grab a baguette, some cheese and the best red wine and celebrate!

Allez Los Pumas!

(Check out some pictures of the celebrations at the Stade de France: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/Varios/GaleriaImagenes/GaleriaImagenes.asp?nota_id=941899&publicacion_id=17182)

Line-up confirmed for Los Pumas to face France

A couple of days before the Rugby World Cup kick-off, Marcelo LOFFREDA have announced the starting line-up for Los Pumas to face home-team France at the Stade de France in Saint Denis.

There were doubts about Federico TODESCHINI's fitness after having problems in training during the week, but despite him being declared match-fit by the medical staff, LOFFREDA have decided to bench him and use Juan Martín HERNANDEZ as a fly-half (despite him being used to play as full back for Stade Français in the French league). Ignacio CORLETO (a proven wing also for Stade Français) will then cover the full back position.

In TODESCHINI's absence, kicking duties will most likely rely on Felipe CONTEPOMI's right boot.

Here's the starting XV that will wear the albicelestes hoops:

1- Rodrigo RONCERO
2- Mario LEDESMA
3- Martín SCELZO
4- Ignacio FERNANDEZ LOBBE
5- Patricio ALBACETE
6- Lucas OSTIGLIA
7- Juan FERNANDEZ LOBBE
8- Juan Manuel LEGUIZAMON
9- Agustín PICHOT (captain)
10- Juan Martín HERNANDEZ
11- Horacio AGULLA
12- Felipe CONTEPOMI
13- Manuel CONTEPOMI
14- Lucas BORGES
15- Ignacio CORLETO

Bench:
16- Alberto VERNET BASUALDO
17- Santiago GONZALEZ BONORINO
18- Rimas ÁLVAREZ
19- Martín DURAND
20- Nicolás FERNANDEZ MIRANDA
21- Federico TODESCHINI
22- Hernán SENILLOSA

France is also confirmed for the big Friday's match. Les Bleus will jump to the field with the following 15 men:

1 Olivier MILLOUD
2 Raphael IBAÑEZ (captain)
3 Pieter de VILLIERS
4 Fabien PELOUS
5 Jérome THION
6 Serge BETSEN
7 Remy MARTIN
8 Imanol HARINORDOQUY
9 Pierre MIGNONI
10 David SKRELA
11 Christophe DOMINICI
12 Damien TRAILLE
13 Yannick JAUZION
14 Aurélien ROUGERIE
15 Cédric HEYMANS

Bench:
16 Dimitri SZARZEWSKI
17 Jean Baptiste POUX
18 Sébastien CHABAL
19 Julien BONNAIRE
20 Thierry DUSAUTOIR
21 Jean Baptiste ELISSALDE
22 Frédéric MICHALAK

Tennis US Open - CHELA Sole Survivor

Juan Ignacio CHELA struggled mightily in five-set matches in the first eight years of his career. Up until this past July, he had lost all eight that he had played.

But apparently he’s figured something out. The No. 20 seed, took out up-and-coming, 22-year-old Swiss star Stanislas WAWRINKA in a 3-hour, 41-minute seesaw battle, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-4 -- his second straight five-set win here at the Open. He also won a five-setter at Wimbledon this year that makes it three in a row.

“I didn't think too much, down two-love [in the fifth], I just think to play point by point,’’ said CHELA, normally known for his clay-court prowess. "It was very tough. Now I'm tired. But I have a day off tomorrow, and I'm gonna be very good for Thursday.''

CHELA will next take on the winner of the Rafael NADAL-David FERRER match. For his part, he doesn’t have a preference as to whom he plays.

“Well, for me is the same. Both are very tough, they play in the baseline,’’ CHELA said. “It gonna be for sure a long match.”

CHELA will now be the sole Albiceleste representative left in the US Open after Juan MONACO lost to Novak DJOKOVIC 5-7, 6-7, 7-6 & 1-6.

COCO and RIQUELME with new headaches

One week to go for Argentina's friendly match against Australia, three less players that will be making the trip down under.

Daniel "Cata" DIAZ, Maxi RODRIGUEZ and Hernán CRESPO won't be part of the travelling team and with little time to plan, BASILE have decided not to replace them.

DIAZ will miss the trip due to personal reasons. Maxi have suffered a muscular injury in his right leg playing for Atletico de Madrid against Mallorca while CRESPO is still not in his best form after the injury sustained at the Copa America.

More headaches for a manager that is desperate to win a match. Any match.

Will we see more of RIQUELME this season?

Apparentely not. Boca Juniors wanted to take him on loan for a couple of years, Atletico de Madrid also showed interest but both negotiations collapsed. Now Villarreal, owner of RIQUELME's rights, will not use him as Roman's relationship with manager Manuel PELLEGRINI is non-existant.

In the end...it appears as if Juan Roman RIQUELME will be away from the action at least until January.

Like him or not, this is a big loss for football.

2007 FIBA Americas Post Mortem

Just incase if anyone wish to know what was the outcome in the final match between the Tall Albiceleste and USA, well the Americans won 118-81. Don’t be bothered by the score line because our mission was done and dusted before the match even started.

Much to my surprise the MVP award went to non-other than Luis SCOLA. This would cap another milestone is his already successful career. To think about it, after carrying the team like no else could, he truly deserves this. For sure things are about to get excited in Houston when the new NBA season starts.

Now I would like to recap on the team and tournament overall (also to follow up on Seba’s previous comment). No doubt Sergio can take a lot positive points from this competition for achieving something without our entire NBA superstar but there were always some loopholes that would have not made this day possible.

Many of these were obvious in our most important game against Brazil. The most significant in those two meetings was the fact that we failed to dominate them in the early part of the game only to recover with help from our opponent itself (BARBOSA & SPLITTER foul trouble and NENE’s injury).

Among the best thing for me in this tournament was the discovery of Roman GONZALEZ. For someone I had no idea before this, he was the one that caught my attention. Now I believe HERNANDEZ would want to keep his option viable considering the fact that others who occupy the center position are already in their prime 30’s (OBERTO is 33 and WOLKOWISKY is 35).

Pablo PRIGIONI did a great job and finished as the tournament top assist player but there were still plenty of turnover in his part. Surely HERNANDEZ would need to have PEPE in this role.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Carlos DELFINO enjoying his time on the court and I’m very happy to see him play the way he did. But then again I still feel he lacks the MANU factor that make this team chilling to watch. But he still has time on his side so we would see more of him in the future.

So what would the jury’s verdict be? Bring back our big names. No question about it.

Sunday recap

End of the road for Los Pibitos

After a solid first round and a great win over Costa Rica in the eight-finals, Nigeria were too much for our U17 National Team as we crashed out of the tournament with a 2-0 result. We are still without titles in this category, notoriously dominated by African teams and Brazil (who won't win it this time as they were eliminated by Ghana).

Mamma mia! Napoli are back for good in Serie A

After a 2-0 defeat at home to Cagliari in the first week of the Serie A season, Napoli had to visit Udinese at the Stadio Friuli and with the help of Roberto SOSA and Ezequiel LAVEZZI, the blue team destroyed the blue and white from Udine with a heavy 5-0 win.

Uruguayan Marcelo ZALAYETA scored a brace while LAVEZZI and SOSA scored one each. DOMIZZI also found the back of the net and Napoli secured their first three points of the season.

CHELA outplays LJUBICIC and advanced in New York

Juan Ignacio CHELA fought against one of the best players in the world and defeated him 6-4, 6-7, 2-6, 6-3 and 6-3 to advance to the eight-finals of the US Open. He'll face the winner of the match between GINEPRI and WAWRINKA.
David NALBANDIAN was in control but lost in five sets against Spaniard David FERRER. As I'm writing this, Juan MONACO is defeating Agustín CALLERI 2 sets to 0 and later tonight, Juan Martín DEL POTRO will face Serbian sensation DJOKOVIC.

2007 FIBA Americas - See Y'All In Beijing 2008

Thanks Seba for the information. Yes!!! This will be without a doubt going to be one hell of a achievement for the Tall Albiceleste. All the uncertainty that was surrounding this team for the past 6-8 months is all over. Even I had my fair share doubt on how are we supposed to achieve this but now we can all finally say Hola Beijing 2008.

Once again standing between our way and glory was Brazil. They had their best players just how we were in the Copa America. Only this time the table has turn.

Just like the first meeting earlier in the tournament, Brazil dominated early on, shooting 60 percent (18 of 30) and held a 43-35 lead at the half. And just like the first meeting, Argentina came out of the locker room at the half with a sense of urgency and quickly wet on the offensive, outscoring Brazil 30-13 in the third quarter.

Luis SCOLA will take the deserve credit from all this as he posted 27 points, 9 rebounds & 2 assists. Another key factor in this game was Carlos DELFINO who posted 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists & 3 steals. Pablo PROGIONI was also an outstanding point guard throughout this tournament and Roman GONZALEZ also gave plenty of contribution.

DELFINO said “I think this group started to work as a team slowly. We got more confident during this tournament, and today we are qualified to go straight to the Olympics. Coming into this tournament, we knew the other top teams were the U.S., Brazil and Puerto Rico… the teams with bigger guys. I think that we showed everyone who questioned this team with this win and qualification”.

If there was once person who had faith in the team it has to be coach Sergio HERNANDEZ as he said “ I am extremely happy about this. We have played two tournaments of the same caliber and came out strong on both. Now we have just to be happy and look forward to our upcoming challenges. Hopefully we will go into the Olympic Games as strong as we entered and performed in this tournament. It has been a long tournament, and we are very tired too. Five months ago when we were putting this team together and GINOBILI and OBERTO said they could not participate, some people did not believe that this team could qualify Argentina for the Olympic Games… but we always knew we could do it, and we did it. I think this is a great day for us”.

Te veremos todo en Beijing 2008!!!

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!!

Tall Albicelestes to defend gold in Beijing 2008!

I just wanted to give you all the news. I'll leave the analysis of the tournament to John, as he's been doing a great job on keeping all of us updated.

We have defeated Brazil (with all their NBA stars -even though Nene HILARIO got injured early in the match-) and we have done it without our biggest names.

Congratulations to Sergio HERNANDEZ and to a team with a heart bigger than their chests!

VAMOS ARGENTINA!

VAMOS A BEIJING 2008!