London calling! Chelsea bid to become first capital club to win Champions League - Daily Mail
By Dan Ripley
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For Chelsea, the Champions League final against Bayern Munich presents an opportunity for the club to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Only since 2003, when Roman Abramovich started bankrolling the club financially, has the dream really seemed possible for Blues fans, who in the last nine years have seen enough near misses.
But it’s not just Chelsea who could see their first crowning moment as Europe’s kings – it’s the city of London too.
German mission: Chelsea face Bayern in Munich on Saturday night
England’s capital has its fair share of top football teams - without failure it serves up plenty of London derbies in the Premier League each year.
But since the formation of the European Cup in 1955, only three London sides have played in Europe’s premier club competition with Tottenham and Arsenal also appearing.
Along with the Blues, they too have come close to sealing Europe’s biggest prize for the capital, but have also suffered heart-breaking failure.
Here, Sportsmail assesses how London’s trio have fared among Europe’s elite...
Chelsea
Times appeared: 10
Best result: Finalists (2008)
Worst result: Last 16 (2006 and 2010)
Heartache: Chelsea lost the 2008 final to Manchester United
In a sign of the changing times, league champions Chelsea declined to take part in the first ever European Cup tournament and didn’t make their maiden appearance until reaching the quarter-finals in 2000.
They have been a permanent fixture since 2003, reaching four-semi finals before this season, but it’s the 2008 final in Moscow that still hurts fans.
Having already missed out on the league title to Manchester United, Avram Grant’s side went to penalties against the Red Devils and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
John Terry could have won the trophy for Chelsea but hit the post with his spot-kick after slipping, before United recovered to triumph in the competition for a third time.
Arsenal
Times appeared: 16
Best result: Finalists (2006)
Worst result: Group stage (1999 and 2000)
Seeing red: Jens Lehmann (left) was sent off as Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final
Before the Champions League era started in 1992, Arsenal only twice featured on the biggest stage, being eliminated in the 1972 quarter-finals and the second round 20 years later.
Since 1998 the Gunners have contested every single campaign but have only once visited the final despite getting out of the first group stage in each of the last 12 seasons.
The 2005/06 campaign is the closest Arsenal have been to becoming top dogs. Arsene Wenger’s side reached the Paris final after setting a record number of 10 consecutive clean sheets before losing 2-1 to Barcelona.
The Gunners also reached the semi-finals in 2009 but were thoroughly outclassed over two legs by Manchester United, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
Missing out: Arsenal were knocked out by AC Milan this year
Capital winners
Real Madrid (9) 1956-1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002.
Ajax Amsterdam (4) 1971-1973, 1995
Benfica (2) 1961, 1962.
Steaua Bucharest (1) 1986
Red Star Belgrade (1) 1991
Tottenham
Times appeared: 2
Best result: Semi-finalists (1962)
Worst result: Quarter-finalists (2011)
Spurs don’t have the staying power to make the Champions League a habit but have made a real fight in the only two times they have featured.
A controversial semi-final defeat against Benfica ended their hopes in 1962, with Bill Nicholson’s side crashing out 4-3 on aggregate after seeing three goals contentiously disallowed over the two legs.
Real hiding: Spurs lost to Madrid in last year's quarter-final
It wasn’t until 2010 that Spurs returned to the biggest stage where they starred in the tournament, topping a group that contained holders Inter Milan – even defeating the Italian giants along the way.
In the last 16 they shut-out AC Milan to progress 1-0 over two legs before crashing to a 5-0 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
London 2012 Olympic torch relay starts in Britain - YAHOO!
Sailor Ben Ainslie was the first torchbearer as the Olympic flame began its 70-day journey around Britain and Ireland on Saturday ahead of the 2012 London Games.
The flame arrived in Britain from Greece on Friday and was flown to Land's End, the southwesterly tip of England, on Saturday by a Royal Navy helicopter before it was used to light the torch for the start of the 8,000 mile (12,875-kilometre) relay.
Ainslie, who has won gold medals in sailing at the last three Olympics, then walked just 300 metres, allowing some of the 3,500 spectators lining the route in the morning sunshine to touch the gold-coloured torch.
The yachtsman, wearing the number 001 on his T-shirt as the first torchbearer, then passed on the torch to 18-year-old Anastassia Swallow, a surfer who is hoping that her sport will one day become an Olympic discipline.
Ainslie, who on Friday won a sixth world title in the Finn class as he prepares for an attempt to win a fourth Olympic gold, said it had been a special moment for him to start the relay in his home county of Cornwall.
"It was pretty emotional, so much effort has gone into getting the Olympics in London and it means so much to everyone involved," he said.
On its first day, the torch will be carried through Cornwall to the city of Plymouth.
Over the next 10 weeks, 8,000 people will carry the torch as it makes its way around the United Kingdom and heads for the Olympic Stadium in east London for the opening ceremony on July 27.
It will travel through 1,019 cities, towns and villages and visit landmarks such as Stonehenge.
From June 3-7, it will go to Northern Ireland and then the Republic of Ireland -- the only country outside the United Kingdom on the torch route.
No overseas legs of the relay have been planned this year after those before the 2008 Beijing Games was hit by protests against China.
The flame was lit in Ancient Olympia in Greece on May 10 and was handed over to the British delegation in Athens in a rain-blighted ceremony on Thursday.
It was flown to Britain encased in a special lantern on board a British Airways plane renamed The Firefly for the occasion, accompanied by football star David Beckham and Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
Beckham had the honour of lighting the first torch at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday.
In contrast to the shoestring operation when Britain last hosted the Olympics in 1948, this year's relay is a big-budget affair, with parties and public events at each of its stops.
The oldest runner will be a 100-year-old woman, while Olympians past and present and soldiers injured in Afghanistan will also take part.
The chief organiser of the London Olympics, Sebastian Coe, said on Friday its arrival in Britain was "a magical moment for any host country".
The torch relay "will connect millions of people around the UK to the Games in a unique way and allows us to celebrate the best of the UK and its people," he said.
Ipswich: Crown Street re-opened after collision - East Anglian Daily Times
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Police were called at around 7.10am this morning after reports of an incident involving a blue Mercedes-Benz and a black Vauxhall Astra in Crown Street, Ipswich, between the High Street junction and the Tower Street junction. A police spokeswoman said ...London Olympics 2012 torch relay starts in Britain - Raw Story
Yachtsman Ben Ainslie was the first torchbearer as the Olympic flame began its 70-day journey around Britain and Ireland on Saturday ahead of the 2012 London Games.
With the Atlantic Ocean behind him at Land’s End, England’s most southwesterly point, the triple Olympic gold medallist waited while the flame was flown in by a Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter.
Lieutenant Commander Richard Full carried the flame off the helicopter in a golden lantern, posed briefly for photographers, and took it a short distance to light the torch that Ainslie was holding in the bright morning sunshine.
Ainslie then set off, barely breaking into a jog as he let some of the 3,500 spectators lining the route touch the golden torch whose design has led it to be nicknamed the “cheese grater”.
After travelling barely 300 metres (yards), he passed on the torch to 18-year-old Anastassia Swallow, a surfer who is hoping that her sport will one day become an Olympic discipline.
Over the next 10 weeks, the torch will travel 8,000 miles (12,875 kilometres) around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and will also visit the Republic of Ireland.
Some 8,000 people — one for every mile of the route — will take part in the torch relay as it heads for the Olympic Stadium in east London for the opening ceremony on July 27.
Ainslie, who just a day earlier won a sixth world title in the Finn class as he steps up his efforts to win a fourth Olympic gold, said it had been a special moment for him to start the relay in his home county of Cornwall.
“I’m really very proud for the whole nation,” said Britain’s greatest Olympic yachtsman, who wore the number 001 on his white London 2012 top.
“It was pretty emotional, so much effort has gone into getting the Olympics in London and it means so much to everyone involved.”
On its first leg, the torch was to be carried through Cornwall to the city of Plymouth.
On its 70-day odyssey, it will travel through 1,019 cities, towns and villages and visit landmarks such as Stonehenge.
From June 3-7, it will go to Northern Ireland and then the Republic of Ireland — the only country outside the United Kingdom on the route.
No overseas legs of the relay have been planned this year after those before the 2008 Beijing Games were hit by protests against China.
The flame was lit in Ancient Olympia in Greece on May 10 and was handed over to the British delegation in Athens in a rain-sodden ceremony on Thursday.
It was flown to Britain on board a British Airways plane renamed The Firefly for the occasion, accompanied by football star David Beckham and Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
Beckham had the honour of lighting the first torch at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday.
In contrast to the shoestring operation when Britain last hosted the Olympics in 1948, just three years after World War II ended, this year’s relay is a big-budget affair, with parties and public events at each of its stops.
The oldest runner will be a 100-year-old woman, while Olympians past and present and soldiers injured in Afghanistan will also take part.
But the London 2012 organisers wanted the bulk of people taking part in the relay to be unsung heroes who have helped their community, individuals involved in sport and younger people.
Swallow, the teenager who had taken over the torch from Ainslie, said it was a memorable day but admitted she got “a bit excited and a little crazy and ran too fast”.
“I was really surprised by the atmosphere here today. Everyone was cheering and calling my name. It is something I will never forget.”
London 2012: Haile Gebrselassie considers Olympic options - BBC News
Haile Gebrselassie has not ruled out the possibility of qualifying for the 10,000m at this summer's Olympics.
The 39-year-old said his Olympic dream was over after failing to win a place in Ethiopia's marathon team.
But the two-time Olympic 10,000m champion is considering his options ahead of a 10,000m race in Hengelo, the Netherlands, on 27 May that will serve as the Ethiopian Olympic trial.
He said it would be "wonderful" to compete in London.
The veteran is cautious about his chances of finishing one of the two fastest Ethiopians in the race in order to qualify for the Olympic team - but told BBC World Service Sport that his enthusiasm for the Games remains undimmed.
"I wish to take part in the Olympics because it's London," said Gebrselassie, who has won four World 10,000m titles.
"I believe London is going to host one of the best Olympics Games. These Olympics are going to be very special.
Haile Gebrselassie's medal haul
1993 World Championships: Gold (10,000m), Silver (5,000m)
1995 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
1996 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)
1997 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
1999 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
2000 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)
2001 World Championships: Bronze (10,000m)
2003 World Championships: Silver (10,000m)
"The organisation here is so perfect and the people organise such wonderful races. I don't want to miss the Olympics, even if it's to watch."
While in no doubt that qualifying for the Ethiopian team will be difficult, Gebrselassie also knows that claiming a third Olympic gold in London would be an even greater challenge.
"If I qualify for the 10,000 metres, don't forget who will be there this year. Not just Kenyans and Ethiopians, also athletes like Mo Farah - they are stronger," he admitted.
"If Farah is in the same shape like last year he will be the one. Kenenisa Bekele will be strong too but there are many others."
Gebrselassie also spoke about the difficulties of facing up to the end of his competitive racing career ahead of running in Sunday's 10k Great Manchester Run, which he has won in each of the last three years.
"If you think about retiring then you retire automatically. It's the mind, not the body," said the 39-year-old.
"I don't want to miss a single race. It doesn't matter which one, a race is a race. I want to win each and every race - and if I don't win then at least run a good time."
The 2012 Great Manchester Run will be live on BBC Two at 10:00 BST on Sunday 20 May.
'London 2012 - The Official Videogame of the Olympic Games' preview - Digital Spy
London 2012 - Britain claims boxing quota spots - Yahoo! Eurosport
Britain and Russia have won quota places in each of the three weight categories in women's boxing which makes its Olympic debut in London this year, the International Boxing Association has said.
In all, 25 quota places in three weight categories - 51kg, 60kg and 75kg - were awarded after the conclusion of the women's world championships in Qinhuangdao, China.
United States, Brazil, Tunisia, China and New Zealand bagged two places each from the tournament's regional quota.
Irish boxer Katie Taylor capped her Olympic qualification by winning her fourth 60kg title, beating Russian Sofya Ochigava in the industrial port city of China to boost her London prospects.
England's Savannah Marshall will also fancy her chances of winning a gold in London after defeating Azerbaijan's Elena Vystropova to win the 75kg title.h
Compatriot Nicola Adams secured a berth for London, despite losing to local favourite Cancan Ren in the 51kg final.
Natasha Jonas, who won the 60kg bronze, was the other English woman boxer to win a quota place for London.
Venezuela, Poland, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Azerbaijan and Australia won one regional quota place each.
North West 200: Farquhar claims supertwins victory - MCN
Ryan Farquhar claimed an historic victory in the first ever North West 200 Supertwins race this evening (Thursday).
Ireland’s top road racer led the four-lap race from start-to-finish in the Vauxhall-backed race to cross the line 2.94s ahead of former GP rider Jeremy McWilliams with Michael Rutter third – all three riders on Farquhar built Kawasakis.
Farquhar has been instrumental in the development of the Supertwins class in Ireland and it’s his hard work that has also seen the TT adopt a Twins race on the mountain course this year for the first time.
He said: “This is unreal. I always knew the potential of these bikes and to come here and have the likes of Jeremy, Michael and Jamie (Hamilton) riding for me was a lot of pressure but also an honour.”
It was McWilliams’ North West 200 debut and he said: “This is a dream come true for me and a dream come true for Ryan. I never thought I’d be able to run this close to the front. I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ll be back if Ryan invites me to ride his bike again.”
The NW200 race stated on a wet track but it was drying throughout the four laps. Farquhar and McWilliams were on wets but Rutter opted for dry tyres and rode a masterful race in treacherous early going to overcome James Hillier (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) and Adrian Archibald (McKinstry Kawasaki).
Rutter’s last lap established a new lap record for the class. Farquhar’s fourth entry, Jamie Hamilton – another NW200 rookie - finished sixth.
MCN’s Adam Child survived a scary moment in wet qualifying when he hit a kerb to finish 24th in his Supertwins debut, riding his Ken Urwin Motorcycles Kawasaki. He ran a stock engine for the NW200, saving his tuned ER6 motor for next week’s TT debut.
LONDON CALLING: Ed takes on world challenge - This is Wiltshire
LONDON CALLING: Ed takes on world challenge
12:30pm Saturday 19th May 2012 in Latest News
BRADFORD on Avon paddler Ed McKeever will hope to stamp his authority on the world stage this weekend as his build-up to this summer’s Olympics continues.
McKeever, who has already secured his place at the Games in London, joins the Great Britain sprint squad in Poznan, Poland.
While many of his teammates were attempting to secure their 2012 Games places in the second round European Olympic qualification event on Wednesday and yesterday, McKeever will take to the water over the weekend for the first of the World Cup Series, also being held on the Malta Lake.
McKeever, the 2010 world champion, again contests the K1 200m event, as one of only three British canoeists to secure their places at the Games so far.
Further World Cup events take place in Duisburg, Germany, next weekend and Moscow at the beginning of June.
100 marks Steve Marks, can someone elaborate on why Chels missed out on 1955 inspite of having won the league and having an excellent team , one actually expects facts from reporters can't blame DM afterall they are anti-chelsea ....atleast they have got the stats right
- Suresh , Chennai & India (brown and proud), 19/5/2012 11:57
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