点评：大马羽球与汤杯

今年的汤杯，经过十年后，再次由马来西亚举办，并且会在五月９日－１６日于本国布特拉室内体育馆，展开争夺汤杯的一轮厮杀。

这一次，显然的，我国想利用主场优势，以重温92年勇夺汤杯的光辉岁月。

可是，随着国家羽球队的名单出来后，可以看出，其实，我国想要重夺汤杯的梦想，恐怕又是仅仅一场美梦。

无须任何的猜测，首号男单，必定是由李宗伟来挑大梁。凭着他在最近的全英赛里勇夺冠军，应该也为整个队伍注射了信心与期望。

但，别忘了，很多时候，像汤杯如此的比赛，除了实力的比试，心理战略也是非常重要的一环。

很明显的，李宗伟要承受异常大的压力。第二和第三男单的阵容，也和两年前的一模一样。

在多几年下去，倘若再没有提拔新人，我国就只会剩下老年残兵，去参加比赛，也顶多是"陪太子读书"而已。

最后，当然还是要祝福本国羽球队，好让他们凯旋归来！

2008 年北京奥运会

看了昨晚第二十九届奥运会的开幕礼，突然，内心抽了一抽，眼睛也酸了一酸。中华民族百年奥运梦终于在走过风风雨雨后，在绚彩夺目的烟花下，实现了。

心情久久无法平复。并不是因为北京奥运会开幕典礼搞得如此成功，而是当我回看，看着中国如何在七年内完成如此浩大的“鸟巢”，看着中国如何顶着世界，尤其是西方国家的鄙视和压力，看着中国如何因藏独事件，惹来抵制北京奥运会的危机，而慢慢，一步步走向昨晚的开幕典礼。油然间，感觉得到中华民族那不屈不饶的精神，并没有因困难而低头，反而还因此，向世界证明了北京申办奥运的实力。

中华民族五千年的文化精粹、人文修养、琴棋书画，都在张艺谋的巧妙安排之下，浓缩成一场艺术盛会，来呈现给老外。唐宋元明清的礼乐之邦，统统以最完美的方式，以最创意的形式，让世界了解到中国文化最美好的地方。

最为人津津乐道的是，当体操金牌得主-李宁手上拿着一把火炬，被钢线吊着，然后绕着体育场绕跑一圈，而后就点燃起大火炬的奥运圣火。这，象征着中国，一路走来，跌跌撞撞，终于能够点燃心中那股澎湃。

[同一个世界，同一个梦想]

Great time for Sports!!

This year, two great world sports events will be held in two different continents.

Let us welcome the approaching sports event-Euro 2008. This event will surely stimulate the adrenaline and boost the passion within those soccer fans. The Euro 2008 will be held in two countries, namely Austria and Switzerland, from 7th of June to 29th of June. There are 16 teams which took part in this event.

Personally, i support Spain. Rock'em all...(Don't ever ask me why)


For the other one, it's the Olympics Game which is held every 4 year. This year, the dragon of the Asia will be the host, welcoming every athletes from all around the world, to compete internationally. For once, Beijing was thought impossible to hold such a grand event. But, now with the "bird nest" and the "water cube" being built magnificently, i suppose, there should not be any objection, questioning the ability of China government.

[No sport, No life!!]

~~luminodreamer89~~

UEFA Champions League 2008 Finals

Bravo!! Manchester United has defeated Chelsea in an All-England UEFA Champions League Finals in a breathtaking penalty shootout. The final scores resulted in a so-near-yet-so-far 6-5 after both teams tied at 1-1.

This "clash of the giants" has been highly anticipated even before the match kicks-off. According to a poll which was announced earlier before the match on Sports Center ESPN, Man.U has a slightly high percentage(55.6%) of winning this match, compared to Chelsea, with(44.4%). And, The results proved that.

The song of victory was composed by Man.U Cristiano Ronaldo at the 26' minutes. A nice, perfectly-timed cross by Paul Scholes from the right, into the penalty box, and the unmarked C.Ronaldo leaped high and did a well-practiced and skillful header. This left the stunned Petr Cech, doing nothing and just barely staring at the ball to roll into the net.

And, there are severals nice teamworks from Man.U, where they created numerous scoring opportunity. There was one when Rooney made a long-cross almost from the mid-field to C.Ronaldo, which was just outside the opponent's penalty box. This was extraordinarily superb.

Then, at the 45' minutes, Chelsea finally saw a glint of hope, when Frank Lampard scored the equalising goal. The ball shot by Didier Drogba(if i m not mistaken), hit Brown and Ferdinand, and bounced to an unmarked Lampard, and he made it.

The scores went on to a 1-1 tie.

Avram Grant commiserates with his skipper.

After the 90-minutes game, with an extra time given, here comes the exciting penalty shootout. Ironically, the person who scored the opening goal of the match, missed the penalty. While for Chelsea, this was really not their day. John Terry was able to tricked Van de Sar to the right, while he shot to the left, but the ball didn't go into the net, but instead hit the post. For N.Anelka, Van de Sar once again proved his goalkeeping skill and managed to catch the ball. The match has a result. It's 6-5.

Congratulations, Red Devils!

[The Devils Roar!]

~~luminodreamer89~~

Thomas Cup 2008 Finals Results & Analysis

Although Korea stepped into the Thomas Cup finals by defeating the host, Indonesia with a surprising victory(3-0), it still fails to claim the Cup. China, with her powerful and skillful squad, claims to be the champion of the game once again, by defeating the Korean 3-1.

At the beginning of the game, Korea has been widely criticized for its strategy by losing game after game in the preliminary round to avoid an early meeting with China. However, this is a team match. There is no rule that said such strategy cannot be used. The strategy spells its effectiveness by sending Denmark and Indonesia, each at quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively back home.

Let us talk about the finals.

1st Singles: Lin Dan(China) vs Park Sung Hwan(Korea)
Scores: 10-21, 21-18, 21-8

Due to a delayed telecast on RTM 1, i have almost missed the first game. So, it's not appropriate for me to comment on the first game. When it comes to second game, we can actually see that Lin Dan regained his "usual" form, which he used psychological strategy and his fierce and incredible smashes. But, Park put on a good fight, and unfortunately, he lost by 3 points and lighted up some hopes for the Chinese by bringing the first match into the rubber game. In the 3rd game, it is quite obvious that Park has lost his tricky net-plays and his placings. He could have reached his tiredness. And that gives China to cling the first point.

1st Doubles: Cai Yun-Fu Hai Feng(China) vs Lee Yong Dae-Jung Jae Sung(Korea)
Scores: 23-25, 16-21

Honestly, this is the best game i have ever watched in this Thomas Cup(as long as there is a live telecast on RTM 1). Both pairs ranked the 2nd and the 3rd best men doubles in the world. And, their performances proved that. Both pairs demonstrate the legendary speed and power in the first game. Fu Hai Feng is really great at his killer-jumping smash. However, the Korean, Jung is exceptionally outstanding in defense and placings. These two men with their counterparts bring the game to a breath-taking 23-25 scores. For the second game, the shuttle swirled at an average speed of 200km/h. The Korean pair is good in net-plays and smashes. Whenever there is a chance to smash, the chance will be grabbed in hands immediately. This rekindles the hope of the Korean to win the cup by snatching the first point from the Chinese.


2nd Singles: Bao Chun Lai(China) vs Lee Hyun-Il(Korea)
Scores: 28-26, 21-11

After gaining victory in their first doubles, the point now ties at 1-1. Therefore, the Korean and the Chinese want to gain the second point from this singles. The first game was indeed interesting. Bao, with his towering heights, can easily change the direction of the shuttle and thus bring him some winning points, nevertheless, Lee, with his marvelous net-plays and lobs, often tricked Bao. But, when they come to the second game, Lee is obviously too exhausted to run for the shuttle and this gives an advantage to Bao. The result? China gains the second point, and makes it to 2-1.

2nd Doubles: Xie Zhong Bo-Guo Zhen Dong(China) vs Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Ji Man(Korea)
Scores: 21-12, 19-21, 21-12

I still remember how this Chinese pair lost to our Malaysian pair, Zakry-Abdul Latiff. However, when this Chinese doubles plays on court with the Korean, they are still at the same level, but the Korean pair's speed and power are comparatively less effective. The Korean pair's placings are considered okay, but their smashes are indeed less powerful. Although they managed to drag the Chinese to the 3rd game, that doesn't stop China from taking the Thomas Cup back home once again.

If possible, I will write a post commenting our Malaysian badminton team's performance. Till we meet.

~~luminodreamer89~~