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Vegas Watch: Blue Jays worth a wager? Check out more handicapping helpers at Vegas Watch . The Toronto Blue Jays are currently 65-61, in fourth place in the AL East. They’re not completely out of the playoff race, but they’re pretty close; Baseball Prospectus gi...
Umpires, MLB sign agreement on instant replay NEW YORK (AP) -Baseball umpires and management signed an agreement Wednesday that will allow the sport to start using instant replay to help determine calls on the field. Major League Baseball still hasn't determined when the use of replays will ...
USA-Argentina: Oddsmakers lower line for semifinal Larry Houser is a sports bettor and freelance writer from New England. He covered the Boston Celtics in the 70s and 80s among many other sports. Argentina has a female president, Cristina Fernandez. Eva Peron pretty much...
Premier League club Aston Villa paid £7.8m for the signing of defender Carlos Cuellar from Rangers, making it their seventh purchase just before the start of the new season. The 26-year old joined Villa on a four-year deal, upon refusal to sign a new contract with his former club Rangers. Cuellar has made it clearly that he wants to play in the Premier League. "I am young and I want to play at the highest level," he says. "My ambition has always been to play for Spain and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world will help me realise that." Source: BBC Sport
Manchester United grab the FA Community Shield yesterday as they beat FA Cup holder Portsmouth through penalties. The match took place in Wembley Stadium, where both teams went into penalty shootout after a goaless draw. Portsmouth players Lassana Diarra, Arnold Mvuemba and Glen Johnson failed to convert their respective spot kicks giving United a 3-1 success. This would be the 16th time in history United had won the FA Community Shield. Source: uefa
Upon careful thinking deep considerations, German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann decided to quit his country team. The 39-year old veteran expressed his commitment to the German Football Federation’s website.“I suggested to Low and to the goalkeeping coach, Andreas Koepke that they no longer include me in their plans for the German national team.” The goalie, who now plays for Stuttgart, has had 61 caps for Germany while his last international appearance was in Euro 2008 Finals against Spain. Source: soccernews
Croatian right-back Vedran Corluka was brough to Manchester City last year from Dinamo Zagreb and have since established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Thus, Tottenham Hotspurs's manager Juande Ramos is currently drooling over the star player and will be likely to bring him over to White Hart Lane for £7 million. According to Skysports.com, the 22-year old is set to sign a 4-year deal worth £27,000 per week. Source: soccernews
Glasglow Rangers were left heartbroken after they were beaten 2-1 by Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier. Kevin Thomson put Rangers ahead in the 33rd minute but Nerijus Radzius equalised with a cracking 30-yard free-kick two minutes before half-time. Then came the killer-blow as Linas Pilibaitis headed in the Lithuanian's second goal and knocked Rangers out of the competiton on 2-1 aggregate. Source: bbc
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that the transfer saga involving Cristiano Ronaldo is closed and the winger is staying put. 23-year old Ronaldo whose contract with United ends at 2012, have been linked with a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid. It was said that Real's effort to bring in the winger failed due to rejection from United, despite the player himself showing interest. "The matter is closed now. He is a Manchester United player - it's finished. He'll be playing here next season believe me. It's finished,"that was all Fergie had to say.
Liverpool decided to loan midfielder Sebastian Leto to Greek club Olympiacos after the yougster was denied a working permit in England. The 21-year old from Argentina joined Premier League in 2007 from CA Lanus but had since face difficulties with passports and work permits. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Leto being refused a working permit: "I am disappointed and it was a surprise because this is a player who has played in the Champions League and been in the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games." Nevertheless, the teenager sees joining Olympiacos for two years as a new challenge. Source: UEFA
German football club Hamburg has made it official that team captain Rafael Van der Vaart has left for La Liga giant Real Madrid. The 25-year old was moved to Bernabeu for a transfer fee of $13 million euros. Van der Vaart had helped the team he has spent 3 years with, to finish 4 in Bundesliga last season and earned a place in UEFA. "Now I'm going to play for Real Madrid...it's a dream come true." he added. Source: soccernet
Blackburn Rovers had brought in Chilean Player of the Year Carlos Villanueva to replace Bentley who left for Tottenham last week. The youngster was acquired from Chilean club Audax Italiano on one-year loan. Villanueva is currently 22 years old and has 12 caps for his country scoring 1goal. Source: BBC
England club Tottenham Hotspurs had confirmed the signing of midfielder David Bentley from rival Blackburn Rovers with a six-year contract. The 23-year old was transferred for £15 million and may rise up to £17 million depending on his performance. The British international expressed his excitment in joining his fellow countryman in his new club. Source: BBC Sport
England 2 - 2 Czech Republic Cole's Goal
48' [1 - 2] M. Jankulovski
England 2 - Czech Republic 2 
Premier League club Aston Villa paid £7.8m for the signing of defender Carlos Cuellar from Rangers, making it their seventh purchase just before the start of the new season. The 26-year old joined Villa on a four-year deal, upon refusal to sign a new contract with his former club Rangers. Cuellar has made it clearly that he wants to play in the Premier League. "I am young and I want to play at the highest level," he says. "My ambition has always been to play for Spain and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world will help me realise that."
Manchester United grab the FA Community Shield yesterday as they beat FA Cup holder Portsmouth through penalties. The match took place in Wembley Stadium, where both teams went into penalty shootout after a goaless draw. Portsmouth players Lassana Diarra, Arnold Mvuemba and Glen Johnson failed to convert their respective spot kicks giving United a 3-1 success. This would be the 16th time in history United had won the FA Community Shield.
Upon careful thinking deep considerations, German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann decided to quit his country team. The 39-year old veteran expressed his commitment to the German Football Federation’s website.“I suggested to Low and to the goalkeeping coach, Andreas Koepke that they no longer include me in their plans for the German national team.” The goalie, who now plays for Stuttgart, has had 61 caps for Germany while his last international appearance was in Euro 2008 Finals against Spain.
Croatian right-back Vedran Corluka was brough to Manchester City last year from Dinamo Zagreb and have since established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Thus, Tottenham Hotspurs's manager Juande Ramos is currently drooling over the star player and will be likely to bring him over to White Hart Lane for £7 million. According to Skysports.com, the 22-year old is set to sign a 4-year deal worth £27,000 per week. 
Glasglow Rangers were left heartbroken after they were beaten 2-1 by Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier. Kevin Thomson put Rangers ahead in the 33rd minute but Nerijus Radzius equalised with a cracking 30-yard free-kick two minutes before half-time. Then came the killer-blow as Linas Pilibaitis headed in the Lithuanian's second goal and knocked Rangers out of the competiton on 2-1 aggregate.
Liverpool decided to loan midfielder Sebastian Leto to Greek club Olympiacos after the yougster was denied a working permit in England. The 21-year old from Argentina joined Premier League in 2007 from CA Lanus but had since face difficulties with passports and work permits. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Leto being refused a working permit: "I am disappointed and it was a surprise because this is a player who has played in the Champions League and been in the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games." Nevertheless, the teenager sees joining Olympiacos for two years as a new challenge.
German football club Hamburg has made it official that team captain Rafael Van der Vaart has left for La Liga giant Real Madrid. The 25-year old was moved to Bernabeu for a transfer fee of $13 million euros. Van der Vaart had helped the team he has spent 3 years with, to finish 4 in Bundesliga last season and earned a place in UEFA. "Now I'm going to play for Real Madrid...it's a dream come true." he added.
Blackburn Rovers had brought in Chilean Player of the Year Carlos Villanueva to replace Bentley who left for Tottenham last week. The youngster was acquired from Chilean club Audax Italiano on one-year loan. Villanueva is currently 22 years old and has 12 caps for his country scoring 1goal. 
England club Tottenham Hotspurs had confirmed the signing of midfielder David Bentley from rival Blackburn Rovers with a six-year contract. The 23-year old was transferred for £15 million and may rise up to £17 million depending on his performance. The British international expressed his excitment in joining his fellow countryman in his new club.
