1. Nothing too flashy as Diamanti dispatches dull England
Italy’s Alessandro Diamanti had quite the evening in Kiev last night. Sent on by Cesare Prandelli as a second-half substitute, the Bologna midfielder very nearly nicked an injury-winner when his cross deceived John Terry and Joe Hart, beating both before bouncing back out off the post. The sheer arrogance of Diamanti trying to score was too much for BBC commentator Guy Mowbray who rather impartially branded him “a West Ham reject”.
Not to worry as the Italian had the last laugh, slotting the winning penalty past Joe Hart. Not even the sight of this English fan with his own family jewels out could distract.
Thanks to the lads at 101greatgoals for the blown-up yet suitably censored image.
2. From the dressing room wall…
Anyone who watched last night’s quarter-final couldn’t help but be wowed by the sheer majesty of Andrea Pirlo — and that was before he changed the whole psychology of the penalty shootout with his sublime Panenka past Joe Hart.
Only a philistine would draw comparisons between Pirlo and the hide-and-seek champion of England’s Euro squad Ashley Young. Well, a philistine and the creators of Match Attax who clearly feel that Ashley is far superior in defence and attack.
We can only hope that this was on the Italian dressing room wall last night.
3. Never judge a man until you’ve run a slant route in his shoes
At his football camp for New Jersey kids last weekend, New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins found himself tied up in a little wager with a local high-schooler named Dajon Foat.
The bet — best out of three passes with Foat trying to make a play while Jenkins defended. The prize — the other guy’s cleats.
Jenkins knocked down the first pass but Foat kept the bet alive with a big take in the back of the endzone. Here’s the third and deciding play.
YouTube Credit: erosenberg55
4. No more nose neighbour for Phelps
The US Olympic Swimming Trials begin tonight as two of America’s modern greats go head-to-head in a bid to prove to that they are the world’s greatest. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Michael Phelps v Ryan Lochte.
But how does one prepare for such a hyped-up competition. Well if you’re Phelps, you put down your 14 Olympic gold medals — he wears them around all the time, right? — and pick up the razor instead.
A mo like that will only slow you down.
5. “Tough day in the office”
Lewis Hamilton was not a happy bunny after a dramatic finish to yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix in Valencia.
The McLaren driver was fighting to hang on to third place and valuable podium points and looked to have done so before he was involved in a clash with Williams’ Pastor Maldonado on the final lap.
The Briton was left pounding his steering wheel in frustration, while Maldonado said afterwards that Hamilton had tried to force him off the track. Whose fault was it?
YouTube Credit: FiveeNilFOM
