Bergkamp: The team made me shine
Hundreds of Arsenal supporters turned out to welcome the 44-year-old back to London, as long-serving club director Ken Friar marked the official unveiling of the statue. “I spoke to Thierry Henry last night and he warned me about this moment, he said ‘you will be fine until you have to talk a little bit, and you will be emotional’, that happens to me now,” said Bergkamp. “All this makes you realise how many good years we had here and how big this club has become over the last 20 years. I was just happy to play a role in that. “You all see me as a team player, and there is only one statue of me, but I believe it is part of a whole team that I was involved in which made me shine. “When you think of that team, it is not only the quality players around you, it is the fantastic manager, the staff around the club. “I would like to thank my friends and family as well, they have been there from the beginning in my career – thank you to Henrita, my wife. We made this adventure together and have four beautiful children who were all born in England. “Last but not least, I had a very good relationship with the fans. You were very patient with me. “In the first six or seven games of my career, a lot of people spoke about that, is he good or not? Can he do it? We had some comments from chairmen of other clubs in London, I won’t mention the name! “We proved them all wrong and are where we are now, and it is all down to the fans because you had belief in me, in the team, so this is how it ends with a beautiful statue.” Bergkamp has just started out on his coaching career at his boyhood club Ajax in Amsterdam, but in the long term would relish the opportunity to return to Arsenal. He said: “I would, definitely. I have just started my career at Ajax as an assistant coach, being part of the Ajax philosophy, trying to get players through the system. “We just started that, so I don’t think now is the time to leave that aside and do something else, but in the future I would love to come to this country, to this league and this club especially.” Bergkamp feels Wenger’s current squad can mount a serious title challenge in 2014. He said: “I have been watching Arsenal for many years, and this season they are really (much) stronger than the last seasons. “They can challenge for the title, but the upcoming weeks are very important for them.” Dennis Bergkamp paid an emotional tribute to his former Arsenal team-mates and family as he was immortalised with a bronze statue outside the Emirates Stadium – and hopes one day to return to the club. The Dutchman was honoured with a permanent tribute outside the Clock End, following along from those for other Arsenal legends such as former manager Herbert Chapman, captain Tony Adams and club-record goalscorer Thierry Henry. Bergkamp joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in June 1995, and went on to play more than 400 games for the Gunners, scoring 120 goals. The Holland forward helped win seven major trophies with Arsene Wenger’s side, including the ‘Invincibles’ Premier League campaign of 2003/2004. Press Association
Press Association Van Gaal said: “I think the players have to take responsibility but at the right moment – because I have seen it in my career at the wrong moment. “At the right moment you have to do it so I am very pleased – in the final in 1995 with Frank Rijkaard for example. “It’s always good, it always helps the manager and also the players. I’m asking already for more. I believe in the corrections of fellow players – I think that is more important than the correction of a manager.” The normally placid Rijkaard lost his temper with under-performing team-mate Clarence Seedorf – then went on to set up the winner for Patrick Kluivert after the break. And Van Gaal acknowledged his players will need all the fighting spirit they can muster after being hit by more injury woe ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton. Winger Ashley Young has been ruled out for a number of months as he requires surgery on the groin injury which forced him to prematurely leave the field against Liverpool. Young’s absence leaves Van Gaal short of four full-back options and increasingly having to rely on the inexperienced Cameron Borthwick-Jackson as he continues his “difficult” search for reinforcements. “Ashley Young has a severe groin injury, it shall be operated on, so he’s [out] for a long time,” Van Gaal said on the club’s official website. Louis Van Gaal has hailed Wayne Rooney’s dressing room blast at his Manchester United team-mates and says it reminded him of the rant that led to one of his most coveted managerial moments. Rooney provided vocal criticism of his team’s shortcomings at half-time at Anfield last week before going on to score the winning goal in the second half. For Van Gaal it brought back memories of Frank Rijkaard’s famous half-time intervention in the 1995 Champions League final which paved the way for Ajax’s upset win over AC Milan. In addition, neither Bastian Schweinsteiger nor Phil Jones have made their expected recoveries from injuries in time for the weekend, and will join Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo on the sidelines. And Van Gaal conceded it could be too much to ask inexperienced youngsters to close the daunting seven-point gap on current leaders Arsenal. Speaking in his press conference, Van Gaal said: “I have used youngsters a lot of times and they are doing great but the level of Man United is high and to give a high performance every week is very difficult for the youngsters. “That’s why we have to look especially in the transfer period for replacements, but the difficulty is we ask for a level, so we are looking but it is not easy.” 
AFGHANISTAN will play their inaugural Test match against India in 2018. Rahul Johri, the BCCI chief executive officer, confirmed that India would host Afghanistan, and that the two boards would work out the venue and the dates shortly.Since being inducted as an ICC Full Member in June, alongside Ireland, Afghanistan have been looking for an opponent to play their maiden Test match against.Ireland have already confirmed that they will play their first Test against Pakistan in May 2018. Initially, Zimbabwe were scheduled to play Afghanistan in the UAE before travelling to Bangladesh early next year. However, Zimbabwe Cricket informed the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) that it wanted to focus on the World Cup Qualifiers in March and therefore not increase its players’ workload.This October, the ACB, led by its chairman Atif Mashal and CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai, met Johri in Mumbai, requesting India to consider playing against Afghanistan. “The ACB requested us to play their first Test match,” Johri said, after attending the BCCI’s special general meeting in Delhi yesterday. “The BCCI has agreed.”It is understood that both boards will meet in a week’s time in Dubai to finalise the schedule. With India travelling overseas for most of 2018, the Afghanistan Test is likely to be scheduled ahead of India’s trip to Australia in late 2018.For the moment, the ACB is excited. “It will be a historic Test match,” Stanikzai said. “We would like to thank the BCCI for granting this opportunity to us and accepting our request.”Afghanistan will become the fourth side to play their first Test against India. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd)
Los Blancos currently have a four-point lead over their fiercest rivals, Barcelona, atop the league table and manager Zinedine Zidane knows his team just have to win the encounter plus their remaining three games to become the Spanish champions for the second time in three years. However, Alaves are fighting for their own survival in the league and manager Asier Garitano will be hoping his team stun their more illustrious opponents to move up from their current 16th position.Also on Friday, Fulham host Cardiff City at Craven Cottage in an EFL Championship encounter. The game kicks off at 8:15pmon SuperSport Select 3.Saturday’s football broadcast begins with the new Premier League champions, Liverpool hosting Burnley at Anfield. The game will be aired live at 3pmon SuperSport Select 2.Although they have already being crowned champions, The Reds still have a lot to play for as they aim to dismantle the 100-point record set by Manchester City in the 2017/2018 season, and manager Jurgen Klopp has now made the task a priority for his charges. On the other hand, Burnley are in for a shout for a UEFA Europa League qualification spot as they are only four points away from the spot, and manager Sean Dyche will continue to motivate his lean squad to battle until the very end.Also on the same day, Serie A champions, Juventus, will continue their match towards a ninth consecutive title when they host Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium. The match will be broadcast at 8:45pmon SuperSport Select 5.The Old Lady missed the chance to increase their lead atop the league table to 10 points after their shock 2-4 loss to AC Milan. Maurizo Sarri’s men, however, have an opportunity to maintain or increase their seven-point advantage over their closest rivals, Lazio, with seven games to go. Meanwhile, Atalanta have continued their superb form under manager Gian Piero Gasperini and are in line to repeat their last season success of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.La Liga’s final fixture for Saturday sees Atletico Madrid host Real Betis at the Wanda Metropolitano. The game will be aired live at 9pmon SuperSport Select 4.Los Rojiblancos, managed by Diego Simeone, are battling to clinch the third position and seal qualification for the UEFA Champions League, while 14th-placed Real Betis are hoping to gain more points to avoid being dragged in the relegation battle.Games to be broadcast on Sunday include the La Liga fixture between Leganes and Valencia at 6:30pmon SuperSport Select 4, and a blockbuster between Napoli and the rejuvenated AC Milan at 8:45pmon SuperSport Select 5.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram A series of top-flight games involving elite European teams across various football competitions will be aired live on GOtv during this weekend.The games scheduled to hold from 10-12 July, will be broadcast live on SuperSport Select 2 to GOtv Jolli and GOtv Max subscribers, and on SuperSport Select 4 and SuperSport Select 5 exclusive to GOtv Max subscribers.On Friday, LaLiga leaders, Real Madrid will host Alaves at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. The game will be aired live at 9pmon SuperSport Select 2 and 4.
The University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team concluded their 2008-09 regular season campaign with a pair of convincing wins over Bemidji State this weekend and fans and teammates applauded the Badger seniors as they played their final game at the Kohl Center. Coach Mark Johnson’s seniors are a heterogeneous group, with representation from perennial hockey hotbeds Canada, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin.Accumulating a nation-leading record of 128-16-13 in four years, the Badger seniors have, collectively, been integral contributors to the program.Junior forward Jasmine Giles said the departure of this year’s class is especially difficult.“This has been the hardest class to watch graduate because I’ve been with them the longest. I have been with them for three years, so it is pretty emotional,” Giles said.Up front, Wisconsin hockey fans are watching the final campaign for forwards Kayla Hagen (Crosslake, Minn.), Angie Keseley (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and Erika Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass.). Keseley won WCHA Defensive Player of the Year the week of Jan. 28 at Saint Cloud State when she notched five assists during her collegiate debut at defense. Keseley, whose versatility and consistency have made her a necessary on coach Johnson’s top two lines since her freshman year, has benefited greatly from four years on the same line as Lawler, the team’s captain and emotional leader.Lawler is a fan favorite who leads the nation in assists. Following the Badger’s 5-2 win over Bemidji State Saturday, Lawler said that her statistical success — success that Lawler notes is nourished by talented linemates Keseley and sophomore Hilary Knight — is not, in itself, a fair indication of achievement.“Points are just bonuses; they usually aren’t a fair indicator of how well someone plays. I’m lucky, I play on a line with two great linemates. Luckily, we could produce on the scoreboard,” an emotional Lawler said following her last game at the Kohl Center.As Lawler noted, statistical triumph often undermines the drudgework so essential in a unified, cohesive hockey team.Fellow senior forward Kayla Hagan is a strong manifestation of Lawler’s claim. Though she may lack the statistical achievement so palpable in Lawler and Keseley, Hagen’s dependability at both wing and center provides a battle-tested and capable alternative should a top-nine forward need replacement. Hagen has earned the reputation as a timely goal-scorer, as evidenced in her game-winner last year at then-No. 3 UMD and a two-goal performance as a sophomore against archrivals Minnesota.With regards to the blue line, graduation will leave the 2009-10 Badger’s to deal with the glaring absence left by a pair of four-year letter winners and defensive staples. Often paired as Johnson’s top duo, seniors Rachel Bible (Black River Falls, Wis.) and Alycia Matthews (Castlegar, British Columbia) have been instrumental forces in maintaining Wisconsin’s national-best 1.34 goals against average.Bible earned Academic All-Big Ten as a junior, and was the Badgers’ plus/minus leader at a healthy plus-30 during Wisconsin’s 2007-08 season. Matthews led Badger defenseman in scoring a year ago with four goals and 20 assists, and is on track to repeat the feat this year as her 19 points lead all Wisconsin blue-liners. Matthews’ unshakable play in her own end is often overshadowed by her offensive contributions, especially the Canadian’s contribution as a left-handed pivot on the Badgers’ lethal power play.The final senior for Wisconsin is star goaltender Jessie Vetter. Vetter’s departure will mark the end of an incredible four-year career and leave Badger fans with unfamiliar goaltending questions at the onset of the 2009-10 season. Vetter commented on her time as a Badger following Saturday’s win.“It’s definitely a very special thing to be part of the Wisconsin teams the last three, four years now. Hopefully, we can keep that going into the postseason,” Vetter said.Manning the pipes for a whopping 111 games, Vetter — who has pocketed both All-American and All-WCHA honors — will leave her Wisconsin women’s hockey career with a pair of national championships, an NCAA-record 35 career shutouts and the reputation as a trusted competitor on both the collegiate and international level. Vetter’s calm temperament and impeccable positioning between the iron the last four years both in WCHA play and abroad as a member of Team USA has cemented her status as one of the best female goalies in the world.Without question, postseason success is the primary focus for Wisconsin as the No. 2 Badgers prepare to win a third national championship in four years and Johnson hopes the Badgers can provide a proper encore for its seniors.
The three senior forwards on the SU ice hockey team have each been playing collegiate hockey longer than their current program has been alive. Julie Rising, Ashley Cockell and Stefanie Marty are in their fourth year. The program is in its third. The Orange is benefiting from the lessons the players learned before the program’s existence. And in its third season, the Orange is ahead of the usual curve for a third-year team, thanks to the lack of a need for that learning curve with the front line. It was a head start. ‘One of my friends mentioned a new program at Syracuse,’ Rising said. ‘I didn’t mind (Rising’s former school) Bemidji much, but it was just Syracuse was pretty cool starting a new program. … I thought, why not?’ Rising, the first of the three to commit, played in 36 games her freshman year at Bemidji State. Since joining the Orange, she was named co-captain as a sophomore and led the team in shots as a junior. At Bemidji, ice hockey was the only Division I team on campus. At Syracuse, athletics is much bigger, and being a part of an extensive athletic program was important for Rising. Without her, Bemidji State is 2-4 on the season so far. It was a similar situation for Rising’s front-ice counterpart Marty.AdvertisementThis is placeholder text ‘For me, SU is just a huge sports school,’ Marty said. ‘That made my decision even easier. UNH was big, and coming from Europe, we don’t have sports and academics. We don’t have sports teams at universities. So (Marty’s former school New Hampshire) was already big to me, and then I came here and it was 10 times bigger.’ Much like Rising, Marty came to SU following a disappointing freshman campaign. Still new to American colleges, Marty originally wasn’t aware that an opportunity with the Orange existed. Her freshman season at UNH was also her first in the United States. A member of the Swiss National Team since 2003, Marty is the team’s other co-captain and a veteran of both the 2009 Olympics and the 2008 Frozen Four. In her absence, New Hampshire is 3-2 on the season. The third of the trio is Cockell, SU’s lone new senior. Cockell is in her first year on campus after transferring from division powerhouse Mercyhurst this past August. ‘(Mercyhurst) just wasn’t the right fit for me,’ Cockell said. ‘It was late, but I took the chance of not going back and maybe having to sit out a year. It worked out.’ Cockell came from the program everyone involved in SU ice hockey is chasing. Mercyhurst is the perennial league favorite and has taken the first eight CHA titles since the league’s inauguration in 2002-03. She has played on a team that has been to the Frozen Four and the NCAA championships and that has been ranked No. 1. Still, Cockell transferred because she wanted to come to a team that she could learn more from and to help a new program improve. Mercyhurst is 5-1 on the year. There were only four teams in the league when the Lakers began their run several years ago. Syracuse became the fifth in 2008, and since then, SU has quickly asserted itself as one of the more attractive destinations for up-and-coming players. Rising, Marty and Cockell all left productive teams with the intention of creating something stronger here in Syracuse. And for Rising, the only option to transfer that she would have considered was the unique situation at SU. Becoming an elder immediately attracted her. ‘This was the only school,’ Rising said. ‘If my friend didn’t mention it, I’d probably still be at Bemidji. I just thought it was a really neat opportunity to be able start something new. Just to be able to build a program, and to have that, is pretty special.’ zoirvin@syr.edu Comments Published on October 20, 2010 at 12:00 pm
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The dream of every esports player is to be successful enough to financially support themselves, while the dream of their fans is, of course, to see them succeed at the highest level. While we’re slowly coming to an age of esports where many teams and events are now sponsored by big labels like Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Amazon, and Brisk, these sometimes are not enough, especially for lower-tier esports. Enter: crowdfunding. This is not necessarily a new concept as the early days of esports, and still local events today, tend to function with a team entry fee and the winning team or teams seeing a piece of the pot. As esports has evolved, so has the concept of prize pools and community involvement. With the use of crowdfunding, game communities continue to literally fuel their scene.The lifeblood of small communitiesCrowdfunding as a system is virtually universal. Any tournament organiser, or even game developer, can use it with an endless amount of options. This concept is particularly beneficial for smaller esports communities, professional or amateur. The FGC for example is the pure definition of grassroots esports. FGC tournaments are still primarily crowdfunded as the community is given the opportunity to essentially plan the event the way they choose. Stretch goals put the planning in their hands as certain funding landmarks are reached meaning certain features are added to the tournament such as inviting a specific player or organising show matches.“Fans want to donate and by not having that mechanic you’re doing a disservice”As popular and successful as crowdfunding has become, anyone hoping to hold their own event can do so in an organised fashion with services like Matcherino available to the masses. Matcherino is a service that allows anyone to organise a tournament and set up donation options, with the prize winnings distributed accordingly. Matcherino is ideal for tournament organisers, especially outside of professional esports, to set up their own events in a simple and care-free way. Having a service like this available fits perfectly in amateur scenes for players that either can’t excel in the professional scene, or just want some friendly competition. Matcherino CEO Grant Farwell explained that crowdfunding is really a win-win system and essential for all tournaments: “Fans want to donate and by not having that mechanic you’re doing a disservice. Right now the mentality crowdfunding gets is that it’s a gimmick, I think it’s not. This is a foundation piece in many ways for esports events. You’re harnessing the masses.”Big developers take noteCrowdfunding, up until recently, has mostly been reserved for LANs at gaming shops, or friends’ houses with an entry fee and the winner, or winners, taking home a piece of the pot. But even the big names wouldn’t be where they are today without the dedication and persistence of their community. One of the most successful uses of crowdfunding a major tournament is by Valve, when they prepared for the third installment of The International for Dota 2 in 2013. The Compendium was introduced as an in-game interactive bundle available for purchase with a portion of the money going to the prize pool. Due to those sales, every year since has garnered the largest esports prize pool in the world. As the professional format was restructured to include Majors, so did the crowdfunding system using Battle Pass instead of the Compendium. Most recently, The International in 2016 had a base prize pool at $1.6 million (£1,234,720) with Battle Pass sales rocketing it to $20.7 million (£15,974,190). You can even track the prize pool progressions at Dota 2 Prize Tracker.Prize pool statistics from Dota 2’s The International 2016SMITE is another prime example of major crowdfunding success. Hi-Rez used a similar model for their first World Championship in 2015, boosting the prize pool to over $2 million (£1,543,400), a feat that, at that time, was the third highest prize pool in esports.While crowdfunding isn’t necessarily a new concept, game developers have started to realise that using this system to fund tournaments can not only put more money in the hands of the players, but back to the companies themselves.Riot was once a naysayer of crowdfunding, claiming it was akin to “begging” for money from their community. They seem to have had a change of heart, however, as the League of Legends developer recently introduced crowdfunding for their World Championship in 2016. 25% of Championship skins and Wards purchases added to their base prize pool of $2.13 million (£1,643,721). The final prize pool ended at $5.07 million (£3,912,519), meaning Riot pocketed around $8 million (£6,173,600) purely from the skins and ward purchases.Other developers should pay attention. Not only can crowdfunding help boost their prize pools, but it can bring excellent marketing and they themselves can cash in. Matcherino’s Farwell told ESI that he believes that in the not-so-distant future, all tournament organisers will turn to crowdfunding: “What I think is going to happen is tournament organisers will start to use crowdfunding and the prize pools are going to be much larger than the one that’s not. So everyone that doesn’t like it, or for whatever reason is opposed to it, will essentially be forced to do it anyway. The fact is is that you’re doing these events because these communities want to see these events and support them”. The FutureWith so much accessibility with services like Matcherino, and major developers like Riot and Valve committed, the sky is truly the limit for crowdfunding. Whether it’s one of the most popular esports in the world, or the amateur scene of a game you’ve never heard of, crowdfunding can and will always be a viable resource. Matcherino CMO Michael Pinkham added that as gaming evolves, so will crowdfunding: “I’m curious to see where crowdfunding takes it. Gaming is obviously developing a lot and when you look at even the most popular games, those are all results of community driven efforts. Given that esports is so community driven, crowdfunding provides an essential element to it.”
Asamoah Gyan is expected in Ghana this week for the WBA International Lightweight Championship bout being hosted by his Baby Jet Promotions.The Al Ain ace has put in a request to his club to enable him travel to Accra for the bout on Friday.Baby Jet Promotions are staging their latest5 boxing bout at the Tennis Court of the Accra Sports Stadium and the syndicate’s boss wants to be very much a part of it.With Al Ain already securing their domestic league title, Al Ain are likely to grant Gyan’s request – clearing him to make the trip to Accra.“The captain Asamoah Gyan has promised to be here with us,” Baby Jet Promotions Chief Executive Officer Samuel Anim Addo revealed at a press conference on Tuesday. “Unless something beyoung our means happen, maybe one Sheikh saying he cannot travel to Ghana, he will be here with us.“He is expected to arrive here on Thursday before the fight on Friday.”Baby Jet Promotions have thus shifted the weigh-in session usually conducted in the morning a day before the bout to 2pm local time to ensure the participation of Black Stars captain.Ghana’s Emmanuel Tagoe will be taking on Filipino Joebert Reyes in the main bout which is for the vacant WBA International Lightweight championship.The fight bout will be broadcast live on selected channels on DStv SuperSport.
Oakland and the Jets have discussed potentially swapping picks, according to a report from The Athletic, which cites unidentified league sources. New York enters Thursday with the third selection while the Raiders are set to draft at No. 4.The #Jets & #Raiders have talked about a trade involving a swap of the No. 3 and No. 4 pick, per sources.— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 25, 2019There is a “good chance” the Jets are going to trade down, according to an earlier report from ESPN. They’ve also reportedly had trade discussions with the Bills and the Redskins. Related News Meanwhile, the Raiders have reportedly been considering selecting a quarterback and they’re “super impressed” with Dwayne Haskins, according to an earlier report from CBS Sports.The Raiders currently hold three total first-round selections. In addition to the fourth pick, they’re set to draft at No. 24 and No. 27. “I think we’re very excited about where we are this year with the third pick in the draft,” Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said earlier this week, via Newsday. “I think we’ll have a good player available at that spot. I think we may have a trade option or two come up, and we’ll weigh that.“We may be very happy to sit there and pick a really good player at three that could be a foundation player for us.” NFL Draft 2019 rumors: Kyler Murray ‘would be shocked’ if he wasn’t picked No. 1
NFL Draft 2019 rumors: ‘Good chance’ Jets trade down from No. 3 The Raiders could be looking to move up in the 2019 NFL Draft.But, not by much.
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston looks for a receiver during a game against Florida in Gainesville, Fla., Nov. 30.(AP Photo/John Raoux)By next week, the people who make sure the nation has a player worthy of the Heisman trophy – and the ESPN primetime show devoted to it – will have had their say.And then we’ll know just what the definition of integrity means when it comes to handing out the little statue that means so much.Look at the stats, the charisma of Jameis Winston and it’s a no brainer. The redshirt freshman has led Florida State to an undefeated season so far, a No. 1 ranking, and almost surely a berth in the BCS title game.Look at the allegations of a woman who claims the star quarterback raped her and it’s another story. Look at how authorities in Tallahassee have handled it so far, and it’s distasteful at best.Innocent until proven guilty? A grand concept, and for that, we should be grateful we have the judicial system to give us the final say.But this isn’t about a courtroom trial, or being judged by a jury of peers. This has nothing to do with the possibility Winston could face going to prison instead of the NFL.This is about voting for the Heisman. And this is about a good time to say no.No to the notion that athletes should be exalted without question. No to a football culture that the woman’s family members said was so pervasive that detectives warned against pressing ahead with charges.No to those who say that the only thing that matters is how many games you win, and how many alumni can brag they got tickets to the BCS title game.