Fernando Verdasco knocked out in 1st round again, this time at Mexican Open

The Canadian Press: Fernando Verdasco knocked out in 1st round again, this time at Mexican Open: "Second-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain was knocked in the first round of the Mexican Open, losing 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci on Tuesday.
Verdasco was bundled out in the first round of the RMK Championships in Memphis last week by Canada's Milos Raonic, who beat him in the SAP Open title the previous week.
Bellucci converted 75 per cent of his break points and won 70 per cent of his service points to beat Verdasco in just over two hours late Tuesday.
Earlier, third-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain took a confident step toward his third straight title with an easy 6-3, 6-2 win over Victor Hanescu of Romania .
Almagro won the Copa Claro on Sunday in Buenos Aires and the Brazil Open the week before — both on clay, the surface in Mexico.
Fourth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland also got off to a winning start, defeating Pablo Andujar of Spain 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in the joint ATP and WTA event in Mexico's Pacific coastal resort.
Defending champion and top-seeded David Ferrer reached the second round on Monday."

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Ventoso claims Spanish win -

Ventoso claims Spanish win After a 175km race between Otura and Jaen, the Movistar Team rider added to his second-placed finish yesterday by edging Lobato and Italy’s David Appollpnio into third.
Radioshack’s Markel Irizar, another Spaniard, retains the overall lead.
He is one second clear of Belgium’s Jurgen van den Broeck."

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: Spain's Dominguez Lino defeats Johansson in final in Bogota

The Canadian Press: Spain's Dominguez Lino defeats Johansson in final in Bogota: "Seventh-seeded Loudres Dominguez Lino of Spain won the Copa Colsanitas final Sunday with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Mathilde Johansson.
It was Dominguez Lino's second WTA title, both of which have come in Bogota. She also won in 2006 and was the runner-up at the same tournament in 2005.
The Spaniard improved to 3-0 against Johansson, who was playing in her first WTA final."

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Ricciardo impresses again in Spain | F1 News | Feb 2011 | Crash.Net

Ricciardo impresses again in Spain | F1 News | Feb 2011 | Crash.Net: "Daniel Ricciardo produced another impressive performance after being spending another half day on track during the third day of F1 testing at Catalunya.

The Toro Rosso test and reserve driver shared driving duties with Sebastien Buemi in mixed conditions on Sunday, with Ricciardo on track during the morning when the circuit was drying out after overnight rain.

Starting his day on Pirelli's extreme wet rubber, Ricciardo then got to sample the intermediate tyre before switching to slicks before the mid-day lunch break.

At that point, Ricciardo was second quickest behind McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton and although he dropped down the times as conditions improved in the afternoon, the Australian was happy with his work.

“It was an interesting morning in changing conditions, especially as I was one of the first to switch to slick tyres as the track dried this morning,” he said afterwards. “I was pleased to be able to test a few different compounds so the day was more productive than we expected, especially in terms of learning more about the crossover point from wet to intermediate to dry tyres."

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No one fears Chelsea anymore - Graeme Le Saux delivers a scathing assessment of 'embarrassing' Blues - Goal.com

No one fears Chelsea anymore - Graeme Le Saux delivers a scathing assessment of 'embarrassing' Blues - Goal.com: "Graeme Le Saux has launched a stinging attack on his former club Chelsea, who he believes have become a pushover, concede embarrassing goals and have an ageing squad that will take years to rebuild.

The Blues’ shocking run continued at the weekend when the FA Cup holders were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition by Everton on penalties, placing manager Carlo Ancelotti’s job under further scrutiny.

The Stamford Bridge club’s dramatic slide has seen them plummet from first to outside the all-important Champions League places as well as being booted out of the League Cup and FA Cup."

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Alberto Contador Reportedly Has Drug Charges Dropped by Spanish Cycling Federation - NYTimes.com

Alberto Contador Reportedly Has Drug Charges Dropped by Spanish Cycling Federation - NYTimes.com: "Alberto Contador has persuaded the Spanish cycling federation to clear him of all charges stemming from his positive drug test at last summer’s Tour de France, according to news reports Monday in Spain.

Alberto Contador blamed his positive drug test at last summer’s Tour de France on tainted beef.
If those reports are true, it will be a huge though possibly fleeting victory for Contador, the three-time Tour winner from Spain who claimed that his failed drug test resulted from ingesting tainted beef. The reports could not be independently verified Monday."

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RTÉ Sport: GAA - Seville set for Spanish Championship opener

RTÉ Sport: GAA - Seville set for Spanish Championship opener: "Éire Óg Seville will host the first round of the 2011 Iberian GAA Championship on Saturday next.

Teams from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella, A Coruña and Pamplona will take part in the first ever Gaelic football tournament held in the city.

Over 200 players will compete in men's and women's tournaments, which will be held over one day at a modern sports facility beside Seville's Olympic Stadium."

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RTÉ Sport: GAA - Seville set for Spanish Championship opener

RTÉ Sport: GAA - Seville set for Spanish Championship opener: "Éire Óg Seville will host the first round of the 2011 Iberian GAA Championship on Saturday next.

Teams from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella, A Coruña and Pamplona will take part in the first ever Gaelic football tournament held in the city.

Over 200 players will compete in men's and women's tournaments, which will be held over one day at a modern sports facility beside Seville's Olympic Stadium."

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Spain's Quiros wins Dubai Desert Classic golf

AFP: Spain's Quiros wins Dubai Desert Classic golf: "Spain's Alvaro Quiros rode a roller-coaster of a round to win the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.
The 28-year-old bomber from Cadiz clinched the biggest win of his career after an eagle-two at the second, a triple-bogey seven at the eighth, and, above all else, a hole-in-one at the 11th.
He came in with a four-under 68 and an 11-under total of 277 which gave him a one-stroke win over Dane Anders Hansen (70) and James Kingston of South Africa (67).
The win followed his second place finish behind Thomas Bjorn in Qatar last week and hoists Quiros into the lead in the European Tour's Race to Dubai. He will also move up to 21st in the world rankings, the highest of his career.
'The start was perfect with the eagle on two, but I was shaken after the eighth,' he said.
'I was lucky with some putts around the turn and then a three-quarters wedge on the 11th - it was a perfect shot - once a year it happens.'
Quiros started the day alongside Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia in a seven way tie for fourth place one stroke behind joint leaders Rory McIlroy, Thomas Aiken and Hansen.
But on the back of the eagle at the second, he grabbed the lead and was three strokes clear of the field after five holes."

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Date set for Ryder Cup announcement

Date set for Ryder Cup announcement - News - Lurgan Mail: "The venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup - a fight between France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands - will be announced on May 17.

It will be only the second time that the match has been staged in continental Europe after Valderrama on Spain's Costa del Sol played host in 1997. The official announcement, to be made at the European Tour's Wentworth headquarters, comes at the conclusion of the first formal bid process undertaken by Ryder Cup Europe, which commenced at the end of 2008.

Richard Hills, Ryder Cup director, said: 'It has been a hugely challenging and stimulating process, taking almost 18 months to complete.'

Sweden were also involved in the early stages, but pulled out last March for financial reasons and said they would focus on the 2022 match"

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Sutil continues VJM04 testing at Jerez

Sutil continues VJM04 testing at Jerez - The Times of India: "Adrian Sutil continued with his pre-season testing of the new VJM04 and put more than 300km with a best time of 1:21.780, was the sixth quickest on the second day here at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in southern Spain.

With a good foundation set-up established on Friday, Sutil evaluated the different tyre compounds available before moving onto more performance work.

The car ran reliably throughout the day, allowing the team to push on with its programme for the week."

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Iker Casillas admits Colombia deserved a draw against Spain

Iker Casillas admits Colombia deserved a draw against Spain - Goal.com: "Iker Casillas admits Colombia deserved a draw against Spain on Wednesday night.

The South Americans held out until late on before David Silva's winner spared Spain's blushes to secure a 1-0 win.

Although Casillas believes a draw would have been fair on both teams, he is pleased to get back to winning ways.

'I think that a draw would probably have been a fairer result. Colombia deserved more than they eventually got,' he told AS.

'Nevertheless, we hadn't been together for quite a while and that showed on the pitch. The most important thing is that we won a match again."

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Liverpool to submit £17m summer offer for Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic

Liverpool to submit £17m summer offer for Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic - report - Goal.com: "Liverpool are set to launch a summer approach for Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic, according to reports from Spain.

Publication Sport comments that despite the Merseyside club adding two strikers in the January transfer window in the form of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, they remain on the hunt for attacking talent.

As a result, they have identified the Barca product as a potential addition, and are willing to spend up to €20 million (£17m) to prise the 20-year-old from the Nou Camp.

It is unlikely that current coach Pep Guardiola will want to part with a player that he sees playing a key role in the long-term future of the Catalan giants."

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Schumacher quickest in F1 testing in Jerez

Schumacher quickest in F1 testing in Jerez - USATODAY.com: "Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher posted the quickest time on the second day of Formula One testing in Jerez on Friday.


The Mercedes driver set a time of 1 minute, 20.532 seconds at the Jerez Circuit in southern Spain.
Felipe Massa of Ferrari — fastest on Thursday — trailed by 0.0061 seconds while Jenson Button was third for McLaren with a lap of 1:21.009.
Jaime Alguersuari of Toro Rosso and Red Bull's Mark Webber rounded out the top five.
Vitaly Petrov was behind the wheel for Renault again with Nick Hedifeld expected to take over Saturday as the team looks to find a replacement for injured driver Robert Kubica.
Petrov was ninth fastest of 11 cars in warm conditions."

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La Liga - Spain fail to get blessing for Pope visit

La Liga - Spain fail to get blessing for Pope visit - Yahoo! Eurosport: "World champions Spain have been forced to abandon plans to visit the Pope at the Vatican on Monday - due to the Champions League.


Valencia face Schalke on Tuesday night while Barcelona visit Arsenal a night later in the opening legs of matches in the last 16.
Spain dedicated winning the World Cup in South Africa to Pope Benedict XVI and were invited to meet 'Il Papa', who has welcomed the Internazionale squad to the Vatican in recent years."

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I'm a romantic says Xavi, heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain

I'm a romantic says Xavi, heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain | Football | The Guardian: "Many have described Barcelona's 5-0 win over Real Madrid last November as the greatest performance ever. Even Wayne Rooney admits that he stood up in his living room and started applauding.

[Xavi's face lights up]. Yeah? Really? Rooney? That makes me proud. Rooney, wow! Rooney is extraordinary, he could play for Barcelona. And before people imagine headlines like 'Xavi says Rooney to join Barcelona' – although, I'd love him to! – what I mean is that he's our kind of player. That game was wonderful, the best I've played. The feeling of superiority was incredible – and against Real Madrid! They didn't touch the ball. Madre mía, what a match! In the dressing room, we gave ourselves a standing ovation.

You mention Barcelona's dominance of possession. It's tempting to conclude that we've never seen a team with an identity – for better or worse – as clear as the current Barcelona and Spain teams. It's all about possession. And that's your identity – one that seems to have become dominant."

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Barca worried record transfers spoil Fabregas fee

Barca worried record transfers spoil Fabregas fee - USATODAY.com: "Vice president Javier Faus says the club has —40 million to —45 million ($55 million to $61 million) to spend this summer but fears British record fees paid for Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll could put Fabregas out of reach.
Faus says on RAC-1 radio those prices 'will affect Arsenal's evaluation of the player.'
Arsenal rejected Barcelona's formal bid for Fabregas — who came up through Barcelona's academy before joining the Gunners — last summer."

Golf: Lloyd is quite simply untouchable in Spain - Scotsman.com Sport

Golf: Lloyd is quite simply untouchable in Spain - Scotsman.com Sport: "LLOYD SALTMAN is ready to take the European Tour by storm after warming up for his return to the circuit by producing his own version of 'The Alamo' in Spain yesterday.
Luckily for his rivals in an event on the Hi5 Tour, their siege only lasted three days, ten less than the famous event in the Texas Revolution.

Saltman was, quite simply, a class apart in the £25,000 Hacienda De Alamo Open, winning by 13 shots with a remarkable 21-under-par aggregate of 195.

And he's now keeping his fingers crossed that he might get a place in next week's Dubai Desert Classic instead of having to wait for the Avantha Masters in India the following week."

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Liverpool man dies after hotel fight with brother-in-law

Liverpool man dies after hotel fight with brother-in-law > National News > News | Click Liverpool: "David Brennan, 49, from Neath in South Wales was arrested after police were called to four star Ambassador Hotel in the Catalan capital's famous Ramblas district just after 2am on Thursday.

Brennan and his brother-in-law, Stephen Storey, 47, from Liverpool, had both returned to the hotel, said by staff to be 'worse for drink'.

It is thought a fight broke out between the two which resulted in the death of father-of-two Storey.

A police spokesman said: 'We can confirm that a British man has died after a fight at the hotel. A man who is related to him has been arrested.

'It appears that no weapon of any sort was used by either of the men during the fight.'"

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Fernando Torres reveals Chelsea move had Steven Gerrard’s consent - Goal.com

Fernando Torres reveals Chelsea move had Steven Gerrard’s consent - Goal.com: "Ex-Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has revealed that his former captain Steven Gerrard gave his blessing to the striker's £50 million transfer to Chelsea, according to The Mirror.

Torres, who is in line to make his debut this Sunday against his former club following his switch to Stamford Bridge, has responded to claims that he disrespected Liverpool fans in recent days.

Now the Spanish World Cup winner has suggested that Kop legend Gerrard gave his seal of approval ahead of the British record-busting transfer, possibly in light of the midfielder’s own experiences with Chelsea in the past which saw him nearly join the west London club twice."

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Motorsport :: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton unveil new McLaren car

Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: Motorsport :: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton unveil new McLaren car: "McLAREN pieced together their sleek new F1 car bit by bit near the old Berlin Wall yesterday – before admitting it was only a dummy with a plastic engine.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “Quite naturally, we haven’t shown you or our competitors our full hand today.”
But drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button still fell in love.

Hamilton said: “I think we will be quite a lot stronger this year.”

Button added: “This is our new baby. This will take one of us to win the drivers’ world championship.”"

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Suspended Saltman back in action

The Press Association: Suspended Saltman back in action: "Scotland's Elliot Saltman has finished joint fourth in a mini-tour event in Spain just two weeks after receiving a three-month European Tour ban.
The Hi5 Pro Tour had no objections to Saltman paying the £338 entry fee into the 54-hole Hacienda de Alamo Open, and he shot a seven-under-par total to finish 14 strokes behind the runaway winner - his brother Lloyd.
Both came through the European Tour qualifying school last November and Lloyd, 15th in the 2005 Open at St Andrews as an amateur, had rounds of 65, 64 and 66 to take the title by 13 shots.
Saltman received his ban for what was deemed a 'serious breach' of the rules during a Challenge Tour event in Russia last year.
He was accused by both of his playing partners of not replacing his ball-marker correctly on a number of occasions."

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Liverpool - Liverpool: Rumours - As Well Or Extra?

Liverpool - Liverpool: Rumours - As Well Or Extra?: "Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has claimed that Liverpool made an approach for him before the transfer deadline. The question then has to be asked was this instead of either Luis Suarez or Andy Carroll or as well as? The 26 year old says that Liverpool officials travelled to Spain to discuss a move but Bilbao didn't want to sell.

The striker has a 36m euros (£30.4m) buy out clause in his contract however no clubs, with the Reds, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Barcelona all believed to be interested, met this asking price in January but the striker expects to move on in the summer and Barcelona sounds like it's his preferred destination.

I'd be interested to know how much truth there is in the rumours that we wanted to sign Llorente and if there is as much as it's believed if it would've been all three striker's that we're signed?"

Tottenham deny £25m approach for Spain international

Tottenham deny £25m approach for Spain international - Sportingo: "Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has denied that the club have made a £25 million bid to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

Redknapp and his assistant Kevin Bond went to watch the tall Llorente in action last week and now that the Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane has agreed to move to West Ham United on loan until the end of the season, the North
Londoners only have three fit strikers as they attempt to seal a top-four finish and with it qualification for next season’s Champions League.
And, reports in the Spanish media over the weekend say that Tottenham submitted a £25m offer for Bilbao’s highly-rated
Spain international, only for the Basque club to reject it out of hand, informing Spurs they must meet the player’s £36m buyout clause if they wanted to speak to the player."

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Real's Pepe eyeing summer move to Chelsea

Real's Pepe eyeing summer move to Chelsea | talkSPORT: "Real Madrid star Pepe is stalling on a new contract because of interest from Chelsea, according to reports in Spain.
The central defender is out of contract in 2012 and has been in talks about a new deal at Real Madrid since the turn of the year.
But Pepe is now considering his options after hearing about a possible switch to the Premier League champions.
It has been reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants to see Pepe at Stamford Bridge and could be ready to sanction a deal for the defender.
Chelsea would be able to offer him a contract next January and pick him up for free next year. But if he makes his intentions clear by rejecting a new contract at Real, Chelsea might be tempted to bid for him this summer."

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Spain still lead FIFA rankings, Japan move into top 20 -

Spain still lead FIFA rankings, Japan move into top 20 - Yahoo! Eurosport: "Japan moved into the top 20 of the FIFA world rankings on Wednesday after winning the Asian Cup last month while world champions Spain stayed in first place.
Japan's record fourth Asian title which they won in Qatar lifted them 12 places to 17th, making them the Asian confederation's highest-ranked side. It is the first time they have been in the top 20 for nearly five years.
Australia, beaten Asia Cup finalists, jumped five places to 21st.
Honduras were another big climber after winning a qualifying tournament for this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup and jumped 17 places to 39th.
The top nine places remained unchanged with Spain leading Netherlands, Germany, Brazil and Argentina."