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rman said. "Unfortunately, I hit it right at a guy." Hanson needed
Topic Started: Oct 8 2013, 01:25 PM (11 Views)
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KIEV, Ukraine - Stingy as it may be, Spains defenders are still a little worried about their rematch with Mario Balotelli and Italy in the European Championship final. Spains bid to win a third straight major title comes Sunday at Kyivs Olympic Stadium, where the Mediterranean rivals meet for a second time, after starting Euro 2012 with a 1-1 draw. Spain hasnt conceded since then and has reached the final with the fewest goals conceded since West Germany went on to win the tournament 40 years ago. In fact, Spains defence hasnt been breached in its last nine knockout games. After Balotelli scored twice in his teams 2-1 victory over Germany in the semifinals, defender Sergio Ramos said Friday "it would be a lie to say Im not worried about them but we are not obsessing over" Italy. "They are where they are today because of the way theyve played," Ramos said at Dynamo Kyivs stadium. "They really took the game to us, led by two strikers as they looked to hit us on the counter. We cant start worrying about them, we have to stay calm and stick to our philosophy of play. Balotellis goals against Germany on Thursday saw the mercurial Manchester City striker overcome a poor start to the tournament, which included wasting a glorious opportunity alone in front of goal against Spain. "Hes a great player and he showed that again yesterday," midfielder Cesc Fabregas said. "To score like that in the semifinal against Germany says it all. We have to try and throw him off his game because he is a player who can cause problems." One advantage for Spain is that Ramos and Gerard Pique have gelled as centerbacks after struggling in their first competitive pairing, which was against Italy. "Thats a positive aspect, it can facilitate things for us," said Ramos, who added that Spain would pay particular attention to Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Andrea Pirlo. Spain is on the verge of becoming the first team to retain its European title after winning the World Cup. West Germany had that chance in 1976 but lost to Czechoslovakia on penalties. The current world champions needed penalties to beat Portugal in the semifinals after the game finished 0-0, despite extra-time. Though Ramos and Fabregas both scored in the shootout, Spain is hoping that its potential place in history is not decided on penalties on Sunday. And with greatness so near, its not surprising that the players are all too well aware of the stakes. "The truth is, yes, it is something we think about," Ramos said. "Thats what were playing for on Sunday, its something that will never be surpassed as no other national team has managed it before and we have the chance now to do it." "Whatever happens Sunday, Spain has already made history, but we obviously want to win this European championship again after all the work this team has done," Ramos said. "Its cost us a lot to get where we are, now we have to show our best level against a great team." ___ Paul Logothetis can be reached at: www.twitter.com/PaulLogoAP cheap jerseys . -- Kolton Browning reminded the nation that Louisiana-Monroe is no stranger taking down the Southeastern Conference. cheap jerseys us . Gee scored on a putback with less than 1 second remaining, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night that snapped a four-game losing streak. WASHINGTON -- Tommy Hanson began his afternoon by making an unwilling contribution to baseball history. Fortunately for the Atlanta Braves right-hander, his poor start was merely a footnote in an otherwise uplifting performance that produced a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Hanson (6-4) gave up home runs to the first two batters he faced. Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper connected on consecutive pitches, becoming the first rookies in modern baseball history to homer in succession leading off a game, the Nats said in citing the Elias Sports Bureau. "Obviously, not the way I wanted to start the game," Hanson said. "You cant give in at that point." He didnt. Hanson blanked Washington over the next six innings, outpitching Washington ace Gio Gonzalez to help the Braves end a six-game skid against their NL East rivals. Hanson allowed two runs, six hits and no walks in seven innings. "I just tried to keep on strong and keep us in the game," he said. Eric OFlaherty worked the eighth and Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save in 17 tries. Seeking to win his sixth straight start, Gonzalez (7-2) gave up three runs, seven hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings. The left-hander also threw two wild pitches in his shortest and most ineffective performance since April 7. "I wouldnt say it was a bad outing. It was just one of those outings when you just look at the positive," he said. "I was going out there, trying to compete and stay in the game as long as possible. Obviously, their pitcher did a great job." The first-place Nationals have lost four of five. Jason Heyward had two RBIs for the Braves, who had won only two of their previous 11 games. That slide included four losses to Washington by a combined 25-10 score. "You want to win every day possible, but when they jumped out and we were able to come back against another ace, its huge," Heyward said. "Thats our first win against that team this year. Theyre a good team and they have great players. Its just huge momentum-wise, confidence-wise." Atlanta scored two runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead and chase Gonzalez. After an infield hit, two walkss and two wild pitches loaded the bases with two outs, Heyward lined a two-run single on the last of Gonzalezs 91 pitches.dddddddddddd "I was falling behind on guys, especially good hitters like that," Gonzalez said. "I just couldnt get it in there. Hopefully I turn that around next start." Heyward contributed defensively in the bottom half. Harper hit a one-out liner off the right-field wall that Heyward grabbed and threw to shortstop Andrelton Simmons, whose relay to third baseman Martin Prado was just in time to ruin Harpers bid for a triple. After Hanson left, OFlaherty walked the first two batters he faced in the eighth. He then got Ryan Zimmerman to hit into a double play and retired Adam LaRoche on a fly to deep left. "I hit the ball decent," Zimmerman said. "Unfortunately, I hit it right at a guy." Hanson needed only five pitches to put Atlanta into a 2-0 hole. Lombardozzi got things started with his first big league homer on a 2-1 pitch. "I definitely would have taken the win instead," Lombardozzi said. Harper sent Hansons next offering into the right-field seats. "I wasnt happy with the first home run, but the second one I didnt think was that bad of a pitch," Hanson said. "Thats where I wanted to go and he just hit it good. Hes a good player." After allowing only five home runs in his first 10 starts this season, Hanson has yielded four long balls in his last two outings. Not that it mattered. "Gio Gonzalez has unbelievable stuff, so its good to kind of get a win here," Hanson said. Simmons got his first major league hit in the second inning, a two-out double that moved David Ross to third with two outs. But Hanson struck out to end the threat. The Braves closed to 2-1 in the third when Prado singled and scored on Dan Ugglas two-out double. NOTES: The Nationals purchased the contract of LHP Mike Gonzalez from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned reliever Ryan Perry to the same minor league club. Gonzalez pitched a scoreless eighth. ... The Nationals and Braves both have Monday off. ... Washington fell to 16-9 at home. ... Braves C Brian McCann, who bruised his left knee Saturday, did not play. ' ' '
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