Dein erstes Forum » n a 12-2 run that took Atlanta from trailing

LISBON, Portugal — The encounter between Portugal and Sweden is the marquee matchup in the European playoffs to complete the continents 13 entries for next years World Cup. Portugal and Sweden finished second in their qualifying groups behind Russia and Germany, respectively. Here are five things to know about the first-leg game in Lisbon on Friday. The second leg is at the Swedish national stadium on Tuesday. ___ JUST ONE, NOT BOTH One of Europes most sensational goalscorers wont be thrilling the crowds in Brazil. Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo and Swedens Zlatan Ibrahimovic are two of the games top showmen, and prolific scorers, with the kind of talent that can light up stadiums. And both are in top form — they each bagged a hat trick for their clubs last weekend. Ronaldos third hat trick of the Spanish season for Real Madrid made him the top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals in 13 rounds. He has added another eight in four Champions League games. The 28-year-old winger, who was crowned FIFA world player of the year in 2008, is Portugals second-highest scorer after Eusebio, with 43 strikes in 107 appearances. Swedish defender Mikael Lustig has the job of marking Ronaldo — and says hell need some help, because "support is the secret in a game like this." Ibrahimovic is Swedens second all-time scorer, with 46 goals. He has racked up 15 goals in 16 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, including seven in the Champions League. The 32-year-old striker was the French leagues top scorer last season and can swing a game in his teams favour. A year ago, he scored all of Swedens goals in a 4-2 win over England, with his late overhead kick counting as one of the sports greatest goals. "We can stop him," Portuguese centre-back Bruno Alves said, "but it means stopping the whole Sweden team because if he doesnt get the ball he cant do much." ___ OTHERS TO WATCH Nani has spent most of his international career in Ronaldos shadow. The Manchester United winger has struggled to make his mark over the past year, being sidelined by injuries that kept him out of four Portugal matches. He didnt find the net for 16 months up to Octobers qualifier against Luxembourg. With 14 goals in 70 appearances for Portugal, Nani is keen to claim his place in the limelight. "Its all about having the right attitude," he said. While the Portuguese focus their attention on Ibrahimovic, they face a big obstacle at the other end of the pitch where goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is one of Swedens standout players. The 32-year-old is Swedens bulwark, often saving the day when the sometimes brittle Swedish defence cracks. Isaksson produced some spectacular saves in Swedens qualifiers against Austria and Ireland and memorably saved a stunning bicycle kick by Lionel Messi last February. ___ PORTUGALS PROBLEMS The Portuguese commonly play better against big-name teams than less famous ones. Their qualifying campaign was spoiled by home and away draws against Israel and a home draw against Northern Ireland. Inconsistency has dogged Portugal, which has won just eight of its 16 qualifiers and friendly games since the 2012 European Championship finals. This is the third time in a row Portugal has fallen short of automatic qualification for a major international tournament. It also went through the playoffs to reach the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Despite having Ronaldo on its team, it has struggled to make its superiority tell on the scoresheet. "Even when weve played well weve lacked something vital — effectiveness in front of goal," coach Paulo Bento said. Portugals joint second-top scorer in qualifying was central defender Bruno Alves, whose four goals matched those by Ronaldo. Helder Postiga was top with six. ___ SWEDISH SPIRIT While playing unevenly and sometimes coming up short in defence, Sweden showed an impressive fighting spirit in its qualifying campaign. Most remarkably, the team rallied from four goals down to draw 4-4 with Germany. It also turned around a game against Austria, fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1, and did the same against Ireland for a 2-1 victory. That record isnt lost on Portugal coach Bento. "Sweden is a team that never gives up," he said. "Well have to be totally concentrated." ___ HISTORY LESSONS Portugal is ranked 14th in world by FIFA. Sweden is at 25th. Though the Portuguese have risen to the occasion at international tournaments, reaching the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, their trophy cabinet is still bare, as is Swedens. Sweden has never lost in Portugal in seven visits. It also has a head-to-head advantage with six wins and three defeats against Portugal. But the Swedes havent beaten Portugal since 1984, and their last three meetings ended in draws. "Neither team can be said to be the favourite," Bento said. ____ Malin Rising contributed to this report from Stockholm. Didi Gregorius Jersey . 42 sitting next to the bench. The 57-year-old with greying hair couldnt box out or grab a rebound, but owner Ted Leonsis waved his red towel and egged on a cheering crowd that chanted "Free Nene!" The Wizards did just fine without the suspended Brazilian forward. C.C. Sabathia Jersey . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. http://www.yankeesrookiestore.com/Yankee...ly-Kids-Jersey/. Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. Roger Maris Jersey . -- On any given day here at his companys Silicon Valley headquarters, Vivek Ranadive is ready to compete against any employee who wants to challenge him to any contest. Jacoby Ellsbury Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say.DALLAS - Dennis Schroder wanted to do well Monday night when he played against his boyhood idols.He did just that, scoring a career-high 22 points as his Atlanta Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks, with Dirk Nowitzki and Rajon Rondo, 105-102.Its a great thing to play and compete against Rondo. He was my favourite player, Schroder said. And Dirk Nowitzki, another German basketball player. I was ready to play.Nowitzki is in his 17th NBA season, and Rondo his ninth. The German-born Schroder, 21, was making only the third start in his second season.Atlanta led by as many as 24 points in the third quarter. The Mavericks pulled to 96-88 before second-year player Schroder hit a jump shot and two free throws for a 12-point lead with 1:08 to play.I thought Dennis was aggressive on both ends, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. He was good defensively. He made a couple big shots and found ways to get to the basket.Schroder shot 9 of 15 from the field and added six assists, three rebounds and a steal.The Hawks (20-7) won all three games on their road trip. The Southeast Division leaders have a four-game winning streak overall, and have won 13 of their last 14.All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures. Kyle Korver scored 18, Al Horford had 17, DeMarre Carroll put in 15 and Paul Millsap added 13 points and 12 rebounds.Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 18 points, 11 in a fourth quarter when they outscored the Hawks 39-23. Nowitzki scored 16, Charlie Villanueva 14, Rondo 13, Devin Harris 11 and Richard Jefferson 10.Rondo added 11 assists.Schroder scored five points in a 12-2 run that took Atlanta from trailing 6-4 to a 16-8 lead with 4:25 to play in the first quarter. He finished the period with 10 points, helping the Hawks to a 25-18 lead.In the second quarter, Horford scored eight points as Atlanta extended thhe lead to 52-38 at halftime.ddddddddddddtlanta was ahead 82-63 as the third quarter ended.I thought our bench guys in the second half got us going, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.The bench had reduced the deficit to 82-67 when the starters re-entered the game with 9:38 remaining.We did some good things when the starters went back in, but then you had a few mistakes, Carlisle said. A couple of unfortunate misses, some stuff with the officials. We just couldnt get over the hump.Two 3-pointers by Villanueva and one by Jefferson brought Dallas within three points as the game ended.TIP-INSHawks: Schroder was making his third straight start replacing PG Jeff Teague (strained left hamstring). Schroders previous high-scoring game was 16 points at Miami Dec. 3. ... Korver missed a free throw for only the third time this season. His 7 for 8 put him at 59 for 62 this season. ... Even before the game, Carlisle called the Hawks the most underrated team in the NBA, and Budenholzer the most underrated coach.Mavericks: For the second straight game, the Mavericks had their lowest-scoring first half. They had 42 points Saturday against San Antonio, and finished Mondays first half with 38. ... Dallas might have had 40 first-half points, but after stealing the ball, Ellis slammed a dunk off the rim in the final second.DOUBLE, NO TROUBLERondos double-double was his 10th this season, and his first in two games for Dallas since being traded from the Celtics on Friday.Millsaps double-double was his sixth this season.FOR THE OLD COUNTRYSchroder will play for Germany in the 2015 European championship, when Nowitzki could be his teammate.I hope hes going to play but he dont know if hes going to play or not, Schroder said.UP NEXTHawks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.Mavericks: At Phoenix on Tuesday. Stitched College Jerseys Cheap UCLA Jerseys NCAA Louisville Cardinals Jerseys North Carolina Jerseys Stitched Kentucky Wildcats Jerseys Stitched Alabama Crimson Tide Jerseys Cheap Basketball Wisconsin Badgers Jerseys Authentic NCAA Jerseys Store Wholesale Basketball NCAA Jerseys Cheap Duke Gear Stitched Alabama Jerseys Stitched Georgia Jerseys Cheap Clemson Jerseys Authentic Authentic Texas Jerseys Wholesale USC Jerseys Stitched Oklahoma Jerseys Stitched Ohio State Jerseys Cheap Notre Dame Gear UCLA Jerseys From China Cheap Louisville Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap North Carolina Jerseys Authentic Cheap Kentucky Jerseys Authentic Wisconsin Jerseys From China Cheap Michigan Gear Cheap Florida Gear Wholesale Arizona State Jerseys Cheap LSU Gear Cheap Auburn Gear Cheap California Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Miami Jerseys Authentic Cheap Michigan State Gear Cheap Tennessee Jerseys Authentic Texas A&M Jerseys From China Authentic Wake Forest Jerseys West Virginia Jerseys From China ' ' '