Saturday, December 19, 2009

Breakfast Headlines


Team South Africa are sixth on the medals table at the Paralympic Games in Beijing this morning. Hilton Langenhoven, from Somerset West, grabbed his third gold medal when he added a 200 metre victory to his wins in the pentathlon and the long-jump. Fanie Lombard won his eighth career Paralympic gold medal after winning the men's discus to take South Africa to 19 gold medals.

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FIFA President Sepp Blatter has urged all South Africans to get behind preparations for the 2010 World Cup. Blatter's in the country on an official visit to host venues and was at the Greenpoint stadium yesterday. He says Bafana Bafana must improve drastically. Blatter also warned South Africa not to take the Confederations Cup lightly. He says he's disappointed at Bafana Bafana's recent form.
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In the English Premier League, Spurs are bottom of the log after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
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The UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off toni! ght with two anglo-franco clashes. Cheslea host Bordeaux, while Liverpool travel to Marseille. Barcelona take on Sporting. Liverpool travel to Marseille and are hoping Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres can start, while Javier Mascherano will have a late fitness test. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is on track to return for Man United when they face Villarreal tomorrow.
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Maritzburg coach Gordon Igesund says he will take action against defender Gary Goldstone, after he watched a replay of his elbow on Chiefs striker Tshepo Bulu, who is likely to be out of football for a month.
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It seems likely that Ricky Januarie will be included in the Western Province side to face Griquas at Newlands on Friday night, despite his pending court appearance on drunk driving charges tomorrow. Allister Coetzee has two injury worries. Lock Adriaan Fondse has sustained a head knock and Schalk Brits has complained of a chest problem.
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Former Western Province win! g, Breyton Paulse, believes the Currie Cup will return to Newl! ands if the 'Streeptruie' make it to the semi-finals. Province are five points behind the fourth placed Cheetahs with three matches to play. Paulse says Province are playing a good brand of rugby. He's confident they can qualify for the Currie Cup semi-finals ahead of the Cheetahs.
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Europe's Ryder Cup golfers are in the US today for their first practice session ahead of this weekend's Ryder Cup clash. The biennial event starts on Friday at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who's not in the team this time, says the rookies could make the difference.