BBC Sport's Christmas quiz 2014: Test your sporting knowledge

After another epic year of sport, it's time to see how much you can remember about 2014.

Here's 50 questions on the sporting year - with a sneak look ahead to 2015. Some are multiple choice. None are trick questions.

Answers are at the bottom. No peeking. Enjoy.

Going for gold

Who were Britain's gold medallists in Sochi?

1. Who won Great Britain's only gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi?

2. And who became GB's first gold medallist at the Winter Paralympics?

3. Who won the Golden Boot for being top scorer at the Fifa World Cup?

4. Which gymnast was the first Englishwoman to win four golds at a single Commonwealth Games since 1930?

5. Which Kenyan runner won the London Marathon in 2014, reclaiming the men's title he won in 2012?

6. Who won his first BDO World Darts title in January, switching to the rival PDC circuit less than a fortnight later?

Record breakers

Who dominated the 2014 season in MotoGP?

7. Who won the first 10 MotoGP races of the season to equal the record for consecutive wins - but then failed to make the podium on the 11th?

8. Which two cyclists broke the hour world record in successive months?

9. Which goalkeeper made 15 saves in a Fifa World Cup match - the most since records began?

10. And who became the top scorer in the history of the Fifa World Cup finals?

11. Which India batsman scored 264 in a one-day international against Sri Lanka, the first time anyone has passed 250 in ODIs?

12. Giancarlo Stanton signed the most expensive deal in US sport, penning a $325m (£208m) 13-year contract with Miami in November. But does he play American football, baseball, basketball or ice hockey?

Hall of fame

Who brought home the Grand National winner?

13. Which jockey won the Grand National aboard Pineau De Re, having retired from the sport in 2007 and returned in 2009?

14. Who scored the most points (66) in rugby union's Six Nations and was one of only two players to score four tries in the tournament?

15. Who captained England at rugby league's Four Nations tournament down under?

16. Which two majors did golfer Rory McIlroy win in 2014?

17. Who won the Australian Open women's singles in January and then retired from tennis in September?

18. Who won the Scottish Cup and qualified for the Europa League for the third successive season?

19. Which British wheelchair racer won two gold medals on the opening day of the IPC Athletics European Championships, in the T53 100m and 400m?

20. Which two former Football League clubs returned to the League after an absence of five and nine years respectively?

Hall of shame

Who saw red at the Grand Final?

21. Which Wigan Warriors prop was sent off for throwing a punch after only two minutes of the Super League Grand Final against St Helens?

22. Who captained Yorkshire to cricket's County Championship title but was not allowed to collect the trophy as he was serving a suspension?

23. Which Formula 1 driver received the most race penalties (10) in 2014 and retired the most times because of technical failure (six) - Romain Grosjean, Esteban Gutierrez, Pastor Maldonado or Jean-Eric Vergne?

24. Which manager was sent off in the Champions League final after running onto the pitch in stoppage time to confront an opposing player?

Ouch!

"And they're calling for the stretcher..."

25. Which Lions star's rugby union career ended when he was forced off injured after only eight minutes of the Pro12 Grand Final?

26. Which Italy defender was bitten by Uruguay's Luis Suarez at the Fifa World Cup?

27. What bizarre injury befell Romanian tennis player Monica Niculescu in the women's doubles at Wimbledon?

28. Which England footballer was injured at the World Cup and was the only outfield player in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad not to feature at the tournament?

Do you remember the first time?

What happened when the Dutch met the Mexicans?

29. Which Fifa World Cup 'first' happened during the second-round match between the Netherlands and Mexico on 29 June?

30. In cricket, England awarded three new caps in each of their first two Tests of 2014. Can you name the six debutants?

31. And which two teams featured in the first women's Test match not to involve England or Australia since 2007?

32. Who were the six rookies at the 2014 Ryder Cup? (Clue: There were three Europeans and three Americans)

33. Who became the first Welsh woman to win a Commonwealth Games swimming gold for 40 years, in the 800m freestyle?

34. Who came from 10-5 down to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 18-14 and claim his first World Snooker Championship title?

35. Which tennis nation won the Davis Cup for the first time, beating France in the final?

36. Who finally won their first Super Bowl in February, after 38 years in the NFL?

A year of memorable moments

Bolt wowed the crowds in Glasgow - but which tune did he dance to?

37. Which famous song associated with Scotland did Usain Bolt dance along to on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow? Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Loch Lomond or Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

38. And staying with Glasgow 2014, what did Scottish cyclist Chris Pritchard do immediately after his final race?

39. Which home nation won the most Commonwealth boxing medals of any competing team?

40. And which famous person 'photobombed' Australian hockey players Jayde Taylor and Brooke Peris in one of the most popular pictures of the Commonwealth Games?

41. The Tour de France started in Yorkshire in 2014, but how many previous editions of Le Tour have included one or more stages in the UK?

42. Which former Scotland rugby union international appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show in 2014 and was the fourth contestant to be eliminated?

43. What comedic interlude briefly held up golfer Luke Donald at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa in December?

Looking into 2015

Where will England's newest Test destination be?

44. On which West Indies island will England play a Test for the first time in April - Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts or St Lucia?

45. Which country will host football's Africa Cup of Nations in January after original hosts Morocco pulled out because of the Ebola outbreak?

46. Which British racecourse will stage its first meetings since it was placed into administration in 2009?

47. Which country will host the Fifa Women's World Cup in the summer?

48. Of the 13 Rugby World Cup venues to be used in the autumn, how many are the home grounds of Premiership rugby union clubs?

49. Which country will stage its first Formula 1 Grand Prix for 23 years in November?

And finally...

What's my name, officer?

50. What was the name of the Commonwealth Games mascot?

If you're struggling with that last one, here's a clue: He has the same name as the orangutan who accompanied Clint Eastwood in the film Every Which Way But Loose.

The answers

Going for gold: 1. Lizzy Yarnold 2. Kelly Gallagher (with her guide Charlotte Evans) 3. James Rodriguez 4. Claudia Fragapane 5. Wilson Kipsang 6. Stephen Bunting

Record breakers: 7. Marc Marquez 8. Jens Voigt and Matthias Brandle 9. Tim Howard 10. Miroslav Klose 11. Rohit Sharma 12. Baseball

Hall of fame: 13. Leighton Aspell 14. Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) 15. Sean O'Loughlin 16. The Open & US PGA 17. Li Na 18. St Johnstone 19. Sammi Kinghorn 20. Luton Town and Cambridge United

Hall of shame: 21. Ben Flower 22. Andrew Gale 23. Pastor Maldonado 24. Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

Ouch!: 25. Brian O'Driscoll 26. Giorgio Chiellini 27. She was hit on the head by a serve from her partner Klara Koukalova 28. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Do you remember the first time?: 29. The first World Cup cooling breaks 30. Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick, Boyd Rankin, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan and Sam Robson 31. India and South Africa 32. Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker 33. Jazz Carlin 34. Mark Selby 35. Switzerland 36. Seattle Seahawks

A year of memorable moments: 37. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) 38. Climbed into the crowd to propose to his girlfriend 39. Northern Ireland (nine) 40. Her Majesty the Queen 41. Three - 1974, 1994 and 2007 42. Thom Evans 43. A baboon chased after him on the course

Looking into 2015: 44. Grenada 45. Equatorial Guinea 46. Chelmsford City (aka Great Leighs) 47. Canada 48. Two - Exeter and Gloucester 49. Mexico

And finally: 50. Clyde

Quiz compiled by Mark Mitchener. Merry Christmas from BBC Sport!

Source : bbc[dot]com

post from sitemap

Parties, presents & panto: A guide to a footballer's Christmas

From Scooby Doo and Snow White to fancy dress mix-ups, hospital visits and deserted hotels. Robbie Savage gives BBC Sport his guide to a footballer's Christmas.

In the middle of Manchester, during the early hours of a cold December night in 2005, I am one of the most hated footballers in the Premier League, and I am dressed as Scooby Doo.

I am trying to get into a nightclub with my Blackburn Rovers team-mate Paul Dickov, who is in a Yoda costume.

Looking back, it sounds ridiculous. As a professional footballer, I never drank heavily and would usually be in bed by 10pm. On a normal night out, I would never have dreamed of doing anything as daft as that.

But it is just one example of what can happen at a players' Christmas party.

"He was Yoda, and I was Scooby" - Savage and Dickov explain themselves to referee Mark Clattenburg

Common sense goes out of the window, and you think you are invisible despite being in a big group of lads, some of whom are well-known faces.

Disguised as a giant cartoon dog, I thought nobody would know who I was, but sadly the photos of me as Scooby in several newspapers proved otherwise.

Fancy dress and team bonding

When they went well, those parties were brilliant fun. Quite often, fancy dress was part of the plan and, even if it wasn't, I would improvise.

One year, while I was playing for Leicester, I went as my then team-mate Neil Lennon and walked around Nottingham all night in a full Foxes kit and a bright red wig. I got some strange looks.

Then there was the time there was a 1970s theme. Sadly, Darren Eadie and I got the wrong end of the stick - everyone else was in flares and flowery shirts but we came as Batman and Robin.

You plonkers! Savage and Darren Eadie were not the first to dress up for the wrong party

We were thinking of the old TV series starring Adam West but even then we could only get the modern-day costumes. We ended up looking like a right pair of idiots.

Bust-ups and bad behaviour

Of course, these parties do not always end up being a great laugh.

It seems as if every year there are stories in the papers about a club whose night out has gone wrong for whatever reason.

I experienced that side of things myself in my final season with Leicester in 2001, when Dennis Wise and I had an infamous altercation over a Secret Santa present that he had given me.

Savage and Wise made up quickly after their Christmas row, and celebrated a Leicester goal together a few days later

Those kind of incidents are almost inevitable really. There are 25 or 30 of you in the squad and not everybody gets on, the same as in every work place. So throw in a few drinks and it can easily spill over.

You might think it is crazy that top clubs still let them happen, given the negative publicity that drunken misbehaviour, or worse, can generate.

The reason they still go on is that they are great for team bonding - a pre-season tour is probably the only other time you see all your team-mates to have a drink together and can let your hair down a bit.

Even if you do end up having a fall-out, it can be a positive thing because it clears the air - massively in the case of me and Wisey. We sorted out our differences and are mates now.

A fairytale first Christmas at Manchester United

I did some very random things during my career - I once turned on the Christmas lights in Leicester city centre with the actor who played Roy Cropper in Coronation Street.

But I have actually been dressing up since my first Christmas as a footballer, when it was tradition for the Manchester United youth team to stage an annual panto.

I was Snow White, covered in make-up and looking lovely in a dress, and David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville played some of the seven dwarfs.

We had to perform in front of the first team, and Sir Alex Ferguson. It was organised by the physio department and all done properly - I had to learn my lines, and the script took the mickey out of the senior players.

Lily is not the only Savage to have been a pantomime star in Snow White

Back then, I cleaned Mark Hughes' boots and his Christmas treat for me was a few quid as a tip and a lift home back to Wrexham in his Porsche.

Continue reading the main story

“There would be music blaring, and people running down corridors shouting and knocking on your door”

As I got older, I always did the same sort of thing for the apprentices at my other clubs, plus the kitmen, the laundry ladies and so on. You look after the people who have looked after you all year.

It is not always publicised, but all footballers, no matter who they play for, always go round the local children's hospitals too.

Whether you play for a League Two club or Manchester United, those kids support your team, so they get as much pleasure from seeing someone from Accrington Stanley as they do when a United fan meets Robin van Persie.

It was always great to have the opportunity to make a difference. The look on their faces could be amazing, but it was heart-breaking too.

To think I would be going home to my healthy kids, when some of these children might not see Christmas always gave me a bit of perspective about the massively privileged position I was in.

Away from the family, in a deserted hotel

As a footballer I would not get to spend much of the festive period with my family, but it is something I learned to live with.

If I was playing at home at Boxing Day, I might train on Christmas Eve and get Christmas Day off.

Whichever club I was at, I was trusted to eat what I wanted but without getting carried away. I was always allowed Christmas dinner and a glass of wine.

Not all footballers are allowed Christmas dinner but Savage was always able to tuck in

The temptations are there of course, when all your family is round, the wine and champagne are flowing and food is being passed to you all the time. People are starting to get drunk while you are sitting there thinking: "I've got a game tomorrow."

It was different when you were away from home on Boxing Day, and more difficult.

Continue reading the main story

“I never wished for a 'normal' Christmas. It was my favourite time as a player”

We would train about 4pm on Christmas Day then get on the bus and arrive in an empty hotel, then just go to bed.

New Year was probably worse, not because I wanted to be out but because there would always be parties going on at the hotel.

There would be music blaring, and people running down corridors shouting and knocking on your door, which is just a nuisance when you have been in bed since 8.30pm.

I never wished for a 'normal' Christmas, though. It was my favourite time as a player.

There was a buzz about all the games from Boxing Day to New Year's Day, no matter who I was playing for or against, and I loved the busy schedule because I was fit enough to cope with it.

If there were ever any players feeling sorry for themselves, I always remembered a quote from my old Leicester manager Martin O'Neill.

We had just finished training in the freezing cold on a Christmas Day and he asked us if we had a good day.

Some of the lads might not have been too enthusiastic with their response, so he said: "Listen, one thing for you to remember is that every day for a Premier League footballer is Christmas Day." It is true and I never forgot it.

Robbie Savage was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan

Source : bbc[dot]com

post from sitemap

Transfer window: Strootman, Shaqiri, Balotelli on the move?

Strootman to Manchester United? Shaqiri to Liverpool?

The winter transfer window is about to open and the chequebooks will be out for managers in search of the title, promotion, continental qualification or just hoping to stave off relegation.

BBC Sport, with the help of global football experts, assess 50 possible moves that could happen in January.

England and Scotland

Compiled by BBC Sport's Shamoon Hafez

JOEL CAMPBELL (22, striker) Arsenal

Linked with: Swansea, Stoke

The pacey Costa Rican has barely had a look-in this season for the Gunners, despite starring at the World Cup. Finds himself behind Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo in the pecking order. Could make a loan move to Swansea or Stoke.

RON VLAAR (29, defender) Aston Villa

Linked with: Manchester United, Arsenal

Solid performances for the Dutch during their World Cup semi-final run saw the central defender's stock rise and his contract runs out in the summer. Manchester United and Arsenal - who both need to reinforce their defences - could sign him for a cut-price fee.

PETR CECH (32, goalkeeper) Chelsea

Linked with: Liverpool, Arsenal

The Czech has found himself on the bench this season following Thibaut Courtois' capture of the number one spot. May look to move away from Stamford Bridge to ensure first-team football, and the experienced stopper would solve Liverpool's goalkeeping crisis. 

MARIO BALOTELLI (24, striker) Liverpool

Linked with: Inter Milan, Napoli

Brendan Rodgers took a gamble in the summer on the problematic frontman bought to replace Luis Suarez, but the move has failed to pay off, with the Italian failing to score in the Premier League so far. A return to former club Inter Milan  under manager Roberto Mancini has been mooted.

ANDERSON (26, midfielder) Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has won the Premier League four times, the Champions League and League Cup twice

Despite winning 10 major trophies at Old Trafford, the Brazilian has struggled with form, injuries and weight issues and is now out-of-favour. A permanent move to Fiorentina failed to materialise last season. Contract may be cancelled to facilitate a move back home to Brazil.

SAIDO BERAHINO (21, striker) West Brom

Linked with: Tottenham, Liverpool

Earned his first call-up to the England national side in November after his goalscoring exploits for the Baggies, where he has netted seven goals this season. Has attracted the attention of Liverpool and Tottenham  who are looking to boost their options in attack.

WILL HUGHES (19, midfielder) Derby County

Linked with: Liverpool

Considered one of English football's hottest talents outside the top-flight, the England Under-21s international has been a consistent performer for the high-flying Rams over the last three seasons. Liverpool may firm up their interest, despite the player signing a new contract in the summer.

ALEX MOWATT (19, midfielder) Leeds United

Linked with: Aston Villa, Everton

The youngster came through the academy and broke into the first-team last season, making 29 Championship appearances and recently named Football League young player of the month. Has netted four times in the league so far this campaign. Aston Villa and Everton have been monitoring his progress.

KRIS COMMONS (31, forward) Celtic

Linked with: Crystal Palace, Leicester

The current PFA Scotland Player of the Year netted 32 goals last season as Celtic won the league, but is yet to agree a new contract which ends in the summer. Has been told he will not be offered a long-term deal. Crystal Palace and Leicester  have been linked with the player.

LEWIS MACLEOD (20, midfielder) Rangers

Linked with: Everton, Burnley

Received his first Scotland call-up in November after a string of impressive performances for his club in the middle of the park and has represented the national side at all junior levels. Everton or Burnley  could take advantage of the Ibrox club's perilous financial situation.

Spain

Compiled by La Liga reporter Andy West

Are Real Madrid and Barcelona set to lose players in the window? Sami Khedira has been linked with Chelsea, while Martin Montoya may move to Juventus

ALESSIO CERCI (27, winger) Atletico Madrid

Linked with: Arsenal, Inter Milan

The versatile forward signed from Torino in the summer, but his impact has been limited and he recently admitted he is running out of patience at his failure to earn more playing time. Arsenal have been linked but his departure could depend on whether Atletico can sign a replacement.

SAMI KHEDIRA (27, midfielder) Real Madrid

Linked with: Chelsea, Manchester United

The German has struggled to establish a regular starting place, not helped by a series of injuries. Contract expires at the end of the season and could wait to ensure a bumper 'Bosman' deal, but Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all reportedly keen to secure him sooner. 

AYMERIC LAPORTE (20, centre back) Athletic Bilbao

Linked with: Manchester United

Widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in La Liga, Laporte has stated his commitment to Athletic, but a poor season for the club both domestically and in Europe may force him to consider his future if his £33m buy-out clause is met. Manchester United have been linked. 

PEDRO LEON (28, winger) Getafe

Linked with: West Brom, West Ham

The ex-Real Madrid playmaker missed the first few months of the season after being barred by La Liga  because his salary takes Getafe over their league-imposed wage limit. Has returned to action amid legal wrangling, but doubts over his future remain and West Brom have been linked.

MARTIN MONTOYA (23, right-back) Barcelona

Linked with: Liverpool, Juventus

The homegrown right-back - who has been on the fringes of the Barca squad for the last four years - is surplus to requirements, having been overtaken by summer signing Douglas as back-up to Dani Alves. Premier League suitors  will face stiff competition from Juventus, among others.

Rest of Europe

Compiled by European football writer Andy Brassell

Out-of-favour playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri would boost Liverpool's attack, while Wesley Sneijder could finally make a move to Old Trafford

Germany

XHERDAN SHAQIRI (23, midfielder) Bayern Munich

Linked with: Liverpool, Napoli

Having arrived from Basel with a big reputation in 2012, has never nailed down a first XI spot - hardly surprising when Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are the competition. Scorer of a hat-trick for Switzerland in 2014 World Cup, he has interest from clubs including Liverpool and Napoli.

AARON HUNT (28, midfielder) Wolfsburg

Linked with: Werder Bremen

German left-footed international midfielder, with an English mother, has struggled to make an impact since joining on a free from Werder Bremen, having previously interested a host of Premier League clubs. Sporting director Klaus Allofs insists "nobody" will be allowed to leave in January.

France

EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI (29, winger) Paris Saint-Germain

Linked with: Inter Milan, Napoli, Valencia

The Argentine has had an excellent 2014, but with FFP a major concern, PSG would countenance the departure of a player who has 18 months to run on his contract. Serie A suitors include Inter and old club Napoli,  but there are serious doubts they would be able to match his lucrative salary.

Italy

KEVIN STROOTMAN (24, midfielder) Roma

Linked with: Manchester United

The Dutchman has only just returned to action following a serious knee injury and was booed by home fans in a recent match with Sassuolo. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is a big fan of the player's wide range of passing and could make a £32m move to Old Trafford. 

Portugal

ENZO PEREZ (28, midfielder) Benfica

Linked with: Manchester United, Valencia

Is Perez set to move to the Premier League?

The 2013-14 Portuguese Liga Player of the Year impressed for Argentina in the latter stages of the World Cup and was close to joining Valencia in the summer.  The club are expected to come back in for him and are favourites to clinch a deal ahead of interested Premier League parties.

NICOLAS GAITAN (26, midfielder) Benfica

Linked with: Manchester United, Monaco

This winger-cum-playmaker has flourished since arriving in Lisbon as a nominal replacement for Angel Di Maria in 2010, and has eight assists in the Liga already this campaign. Extensively scouted by Manchester United  in recent seasons, Monaco are poised to bid for him again.

Netherlands

NIKLAS MOISANDER (29, defender) Ajax

Linked with: Tottenham, Napoli

The central defender has become captain in his second spell at the club, but his contract is up at the end of the season and he has shown little inclination to sign a new deal. Everton could come back in for the Finland stopper, with Spurs and Napoli also thought to have an interest.

Ukraine

BERNARD (22, winger) Shakhtar Donetsk

Linked with: Tottenham, Inter Milan

A 2013 Copa Libertadores winner with Atletico Mineiro, the Brazil midfielder pondered long and hard before joining Shakhtar straight after. He has never truly established himself, however, in Mircea Lucescu's first-team. Clubs in England and Italy are tracking this speedy creator.

YOUNES BELHANDA (24, midfielder) Dynamo Kiev

The Moroccan playmaker surprised many when he opted for Dynamo in August 2013, having previously expressed an interest in moving to England. Though the league leaders are very pleased with his contribution, both player and club's heads could be turned be a big offer.

Turkey

WESLEY SNEIJDER (30, midfielder) Galatasaray

Linked with: Manchester United, Manchester City

Club and player briefly clashed when Sneijder's wages went unpaid in October. That was quickly resolved, but it seems the Istanbul giants have little desire to open talks on extending his expensive contract, especially after European elimination. Could finally make the move to England. 

South America

Compiled by South American football correspondent Tim Vickery

Brazil

LUCAS SILVA (21, midfielder) Cruzeiro

Linked with: Real Madrid

Silva has been linked with a move to Real Madrid

A key player in the team that has won the last two Brazilian league titles, and the best passing central midfielder the country has produced for some time, with sound positional sense. 2014 Champions League winners Real Madrid head his list of admirers.

JOEL TAGUEU (21, forward) Coritiba

Linked with: Cruzeiro

The lanky, left-footed centre forward was born in Cameroon but has been based in Brazil for five years. Capped at junior level for his country. His goals in the second half of the season saved his club from relegation, and could pave the way for a move to Germany.

Argentina

LUCAS ROMERO (20, midfielder) Velez Sarsfield

Linked with: Torino, Flamengo

A tough and talented Argentine central midfielder, often compared to Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano. Maybe more reminiscent of a slightly more defensive version of a young Diego Simeone. Is being watched by leading Italian clubs.

Uruguay

GASTON PEREIRO (19, midfielder) Nacional

Seen by some as a left-footed Uruguayan Socrates. Skilful, confident and versatile, the attacking midfielder is being watched by 2014 La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. Current team-mate and former Inter Milan forward Alvaro Recoba expects great things from him in Europe.

Ecuador

JUNIOR SORNOZA (20, midfielder) Independiente del Valle

Linked with: Burnley, Derby

The Ecuadorian attacking midfielder - a fine striker of the ball - is being linked with a move to England. Two problems though; four caps in friendlies may not be enough for a work permit, and he would seem to lack the dynamism needed in the English game. 

Africa

Compiled by BBC World Service Sport's John Bennett

Algeria

AKRAM DJAHNIT (23, attacking midfielder), ES Setif

Is Djahnit set to swap Africa for Europe?

Djahnit's club won the Africa Champions League in 2014 and he was one of the key players, finding the back of the net five times, including in the first leg of the final. Won 'best prospect' at the Algerian football awards in December. Has been linked with a move to Europe.

BAGHDAD BOUNEDJAH (23, striker) Etoile du Sahel

Algeria had a 2014 to remember and Bounedjah is one of their brightest prospects. He was top scorer in the Tunisian league last season and has been regularly leading the charts during this campaign. Any English clubs interested would face strong competition from the Bundesliga.

South Africa

RIVALDO COETZEE (18, defender) Ajax Cape Town

Linked with: Ajax

He's got a legendary first name but unlike the Brazilian, Coetzee is a centre-back. Became the youngest player to represent Bafana Bafana, when he made his debut at 17 years and 361 days old. Ajax Cape Town's parent club, Ajax Amsterdam have been watching him. 

ITUMELENG KHUNE (27, goalkeeper) Kaizer Chiefs

Considered by many to be the second best keeper in Africa behind Nigeria and Lille's Vincent Enyeama. Has just recovered from a long-term ankle injury. High price tag has put European clubs off in the past but is out of contract at the end of the season.

DR Congo

FIRMIN NDOMBE MUBELE (20, forward) AS Vita

Made headlines in March after scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Kaizer Chiefs in the African Champions League. Nominated for CAF's African footballer of the Year award, for players based in Africa. A raw talent with plenty to learn but is one to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations.

MLS

Compiled by MLS football reporter Sean Wheelock

Could Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe form a new-look strike partnership for QPR?

ROBBIE KEANE (34, striker) Los Angeles Galaxy

Linked with: QPR

Makes a strong case as the greatest foreign import in Major League Soccer's 19 year history. In three-and-a-half seasons, he has won three MLS Cups (including this season), and was named the league's 2014 Player of the Year. QPR have been rumoured as a suitor. 

LEE NGUYEN (28, midfielder) New England Revolution

Linked with: Southampton

His 20 goals and excellent work rate were major factors in Nguyen being named an MLS Player of the Year finalist, and his club finishing as league runner up. The former PSV man could be headed back to Europe, with reported interest coming from Southampton. 

JERMAIN DEFOE (32, striker) Toronto FC

Linked with: QPR

Scored 11 goals for Toronto FC, but none in his club's final 18 matches of the MLS 2014 campaign. Transfer rumours started to swirl in August when the club publicly stated that they would consider high priced offers for Defoe. QPR has been mentioned  as the next stop.

GYASI ZARDES (23, striker) Los Angeles Galaxy

Labelled as the next star in US soccer, following his breakout campaign in 2014. Playing in the long shadows cast by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, he still managed 19 goals in all competitions this year, including the opening tally in December's MLS Cup Final.

AJ SOARES (26, defender) New England Revolution

Linked with: Hellas Verona

A strong, smart, and athletic central defender, becomes an even more attractive candidate for UEFA clubs due to holding an EU passport, despite being born and raised in California. Reports from the US have been trickling out that a move away from the MLS is imminent. 

Asia and Middle East

Compiled by Asia football correspondent John Duerden

UAE

OMAR ABDULRAHMAN (23, forward) Al Ain

Linked with: Manchester City, Liverpool

A gifted playmaker with all the tricks and has a precise left foot from which he can pick out a pass. Impressed at the Olympic Games in 2012 and then turned down an offer from Manchester City. Has also been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and La Liga side Valencia.

Japan

YOSHINORI MUTO (22, midfielder) FC Tokyo

Japan produces midfielders by the bullet train but top-class strikers are a little rarer. This confident young man could be the real deal with his speed and dribbling ability. A number of Bundesliga clubs are monitoring the player's situation.

South Korea

KIM SHIN-WOOK (26, striker) Ulsan Hyundai

Striker Shin-Wook (left) is a towering presence for South Korea

The South Korean version of Peter Crouch has had a very good year with the only question mark on whether injury means he will move in January or July. Has already turned down Spartak Moscow and there has been interest from Premier League teams.

Indonesia

EVAN DIMAS (19, midfielder) Persebaya Surabaya

The wonderkid impressed on his senior debut in 2014 and has already trained at FC Barcelona. Looks to be the creative force that this football mad country has been waiting for. Inter's Indonesian owner Erick Thohir is said to be a fan but a smaller league would be a better first step.

Thailand

CHANATHIP SONGKRASIN (21, midfielder) BEC Tero Sasana

Known as 'Messi Jay' by fans in Thailand for his small stature and skills, the youngster has been in perfect form this year, leading Thailand to the ASEAN title to end a 12-year wait for major international silverware. A longer shot but clubs in Europe are waking up to this young talent.

Australia A-League

Compiled by Australian football writer Kate Cohen

MATTHEW SPIRANOVIC (26, defender) Western Sydney Wanderers

Linked with: Liverpool

Centre-back Spiranovic played for Australia at the 2014 World Cup

An elegant ball-playing centre-back, Spiranovic caught the attention of Brendan Rodgers during his time at Swansea, who maintained his interest when he took over at Liverpool. A move did not happen but now entering the peak of his career, may want to test his luck in Europe one more time.

MARK MILLIGAN (29, central midfielder) Melbourne Victory

An all-action midfielder with a great range of passing, Milligan can also fill in at central defence. A Socceroos regular, Crystal Palace came calling three times to no avail last season and a lucrative move to the Middle East fell through. The ship may have sailed for Milligan in Europe.

TERRY ANTONIS (21, central midfielder) Sydney FC

Things have not fallen Antonis' way during his young career. Unable to sign a five-year contract with Everton at 14 due to Fifa regulations, a move to Parma fell through in 2013. Has pulled the strings in midfield for the club since recovering from a ruptured quad tendon.

DANIEL DE SILVA (17, attacking midfielder/left winger) Perth Glory

An impressive Under-20s World Cup for the then 16-year-old De Silva caught the attention of Manchester United scouts. A number 10 who can also play on the left wing, De Silva has already signed with Roma for the end of the A-League season but is a name to remember.

AWER MABIL (19, winger) Adelaide United

Linked with: Ajax

A fleet-footed but raw winger, Mabil is set to trial with Dutch giants Ajax  during the January transfer window. Mabil made his debut for Adelaide as a 17-year-old and has terrorized defenders with his quick feet but has been prone to fluffing his lines in the final third.

Source : bbc[dot]com

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How to Sleep like a Baby

It’s 3:00 a.m. where are you? Most people would probably be asleep. However, for a large majority of people, it is near impossible for them to get a good nights rest. Without it, they are unable to focus well, they have low energy, and let’s face it, they are usually in a not so good mood. Is there anything that the sleep deprived can do in order to help give their body the much needed sleep it needs? Aside from counting sheep, which rarely works, try some of the suggestions below.

First, start out by examining your bedroom for sleep distractions. Sleep distractions would be such things as clutter, the color of the paint, the noise level, etc. If your room is painted in bright, electrifying colors, you may want to consider painting it a soothing cool color. A pale green or a soothing blue would be good choices. You can’t expect to be able to sleep if the paint in your bedroom is so bright that it looks like an airport runway.

If your room is cluttered, consider scheduling a spring cleaning day and get rid of all those unwanted sleep thieves. If a room is cluttered, it gives our mind more things to focus on and think about during the night instead of sleep. Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, and let’s face it, who wants piles of bills or junk mail in their sanctuary? Not too many people.

As far as the noise level goes, this is different for each person. Some people enjoy some form of noise while they sleep and may even purchase a noise machine, while others have to have quiet. If you fall into the latter category, try purchasing some heavy drapes to see if they block out any of the unwanted noise. While the drapes probably won’t get rid of every unwanted noise, you will notice a big difference.

Next, try not to exercise before going to bed. I’m not saying don’t exercise at all, because exercise is good for us, but we all know that exercise releases endorphins which amp us up. You can’t expect to be able to go to sleep if you feel like you could run a marathon. Try to keep exercise to either early in the mornings or to around four hours before bedtime. This will give your body time to calm down and will help you to drift off to sleep much easier.

Another suggestion to help you get a good nights sleep would be to take a nice warm bath just before you are ready to go to bed. The warm bath will not only help you to relax physically, but it will also give your brain some time to unwind as well. It doesn’t have to be a long bath, just 10 or 15 minutes should do the trick. As you are letting the water out of the tub, picture your troubles and cares being washed down the drain. A mind that is not burdened with troubles is a mind that can easily drift off to sleep.

Lighting is another issue that effects sleep. If your bedroom window lets the light of a nearby street light into your bedroom, you might want to try some of those room darkening curtains to eliminate that problem. If you can’t find any or can’t afford them, try putting a quilt up instead. If your curtain rods are sturdy, they will usually hold up the extra weight of the quilt. Either of these two things will help darken your bedroom and help you drift off to what could be the best nights sleep you’ve had in a while.

Of course, don’t forget to flip your mattress every so often to keep it from getting worn. However, if your mattress is not in good shape and you can’t afford to buy a new one (because we know they don’t come cheap), consider buying a mattress topper. This will give you the sense of a new mattress, but will cost you a fraction of the price. Toppers come in a variety of styles, and it is up to you to find the one that suits your needs.

The last tip, try and keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level. You don’t want the temperature too hot or too cold. You want it just right. Again, it is up to you, as an individual, to decide what your perfect temperature is. Try these few tips out and see if they help you get the peaceful nights slumber your body has been missing. Pleasant dreams sleep deprived.

Love Christmas

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year – and yet, 4 all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.

Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.

At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.

Bells are ringing and everyone is singing, It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bells ring and the birds sing, May you get all the happiness that Christmas brings! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Christmas Quotes

A wish for peace and happiness at Christmas and throughout the New Year.

The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas.

 May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter.

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.

 Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill, and may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy. Have a Merry Christmas.

As you relish the goodies, decorate every nook and corner of your home and enjoy the get-togethers... may the joy and festivities continue to radiate in your lives, long after Christmas is gone.  Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

With all Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Baby's First Christmas - Celebrity Edition

The year of 2014 brought big changes in the lives of some of our favorite celebrities. New records, new releases, and new awards are always exciting, but nothing can measure up to the beauty and amazement of the birth of a baby. Meet all the new mini-celebrities that will be celebrating their very first Christmas this year.

Baby Schuyler
Parents: Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe
Rodger Berman and Rachel Zoe (celebrity stylist) welcomed their very first baby this year, Schuyler Harris. Judging from his custom made shoes and his Missoni stroller, I think it's very safe to make the assumption that Schuyler's first Christmas will be filled with Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

Baby Flynn
Parents: Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr
Actor Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings) and model Miranda Kerr may have given birth to the cutest baby alive. With brown hair and big blue eyes, he has been making headlines since day one. This is an extra exciting time of year for Baby Flynn; he will be celebrating his first birthday on January 6th.

Baby Haven
Parents: Cash Warren and Jessica Alba
Producer Cash Warren and actress Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City) welcomed their second daughter, baby Haven Garner in August, much to the delight of big sister Honor Marie. Jessica recently took both three year old Honor and four month old Haven to meet Santa Claus in their local mall. How sweet is that!

Baby Morocco and Baby Monroe
Parents: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey
Nick Cannon (America's Got Talent) and singer/actress Mariah Carey welcomed their twins on April 30th of this year. This adorable duo made one of their first public appearances last Christmas when Mariah was visibly showing during her Christmas Special. Morocco was named after the Moroccan inspired room in which Nick proposed to Mariah, and Monroe was named after one of Mariah's longtime role models, Marilyn Monroe.

Baby Harper
Parents: David & Victoria Beckham
World renowned power couple David (English soccer star) & Victoria Beckham (designer) welcomed their very first daughter this year. Baby Harper Seven joined older brothers Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

Baby Bingham
Parents: Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson
Matt Bellamy (front-man of Muse) and actress Kate Hudson (Bride Wars, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) welcomed their first baby, Bingham Hawn in August. Baby Bingham joins Kate's older son Ryder, who affectionately calls him Bing.

Baby Arabella
Parents: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Jared Kushner and entrepreneur and daughter of Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, married in October 2009, welcomed their very first baby, Arabella Rose on July 17th of this year.

Baby Aleph
Parents: Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman
Producer Benjamin Millepied and actress Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) welcomed their first baby, Aleph this year. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a sweet tribute to the Hebrew background of the couple.

And there, my friends, are the newest celebrities of 2011. Merry Christmas to all the baby celebs and their parents! I can't help but wonder which celebrities will make this list next year...

Fun gifts for Christmas technology

Lego Minecraft

When technology enthusiasts that participate in your life already has the latest smartphones, tablets, and much better headphones to last a lifetime, it can be very difficult to find something for Christmas, they really appreciate. Luckily for you, we tracked down some of the technologies more fun gifts that would not have arisen in the mind when he entered the street.

What do you get when building toys 20:21 coolest century combined? Lego Minecraft! There are a variety of games available, allowing you to build your own version of several places at once dig-em-up. Sets include a haunted by zombies and monsters cave spider, a set that leads to the end to find the Ender Dragon, and this assembly, which is $ 40 on Amazon, which places the first night in their first retreat with a pig, a vine and Steve own minifig.

DJI Phantom Vision 2 +

Get to the chopper! Help your tinnitus near their recent adventures flying high with DJI Phantom 2 Vision + Quadcopter £ 940 multi-rotor remote machine that can fly up to 25 minutes and even switch to autopilot when taking a rest from flight.

Your camera mounted below, you can shoot Full HD video resolution and stabilized by a three-axis gimbal, ensuring the footage is soft butter.

JBL flip 2

2 Turn on Bluetooth speaker JBL going to hit an impressive sound comes in a variety of colors and even for phones using NFC technology.

If for their children to enjoy the fantastic music in their bedrooms or your partner for something more elegant rock while cooking in the kitchen, pull 2 worth the price of £ 50.

Apple iPod Shuffle

After chewing through a ton of turkey and mince pies this Christmas Mountain, you probably need to put on running shoes to return to a state of health of the entire family.

Apple IPod shuffle remains one of the best audio players to move, thanks to its small size and the fact that you can easily clip in a shirtsleeve, rather than going into the pocket.

It is on sale at the Apple Store for $ 40 for 2GB of storage - enough for hundreds of songs.

Celtic v Inter Milan tie more about future than 1967 European final

By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland

History provides a poignant backdrop to Celtic being drawn with Internazionale in the Europa League knockout stages, but the current circumstances of both clubs make it an intriguing tie in its own right.

Between now and the game in February, there will be plenty of reminiscing about Jock Stein's Celtic winning the European Cup in 1967 by beating Helenio Herrera's Inter side 2-1 in Lisbon. Nostalgia will always be the initial reaction to the two teams being drawn together.

There are personal connections to revive, too, since Ronny Deila spent time with Roberto Mancini at Manchester City's training ground in November 2010. They shared lunch and talked about football management, with the visit being part of a developing link between Stromsgodset and the English club.

Both men have moved on, but the opportunity now is for Deila to show that he is on the right road to follow the Italian in terms of accomplishment and status. The two managers are engaged in rebuilding work, with the Europa League providing a measure of how far they have progressed.

Celtic had the head start, with Deila beginning his work in the summer, whereas Mancini is only six games into his second spell in charge of Inter. The Italian club needs reviving, since they had fallen to 12th in Serie A when Walter Mazzarri was sacked and the owner, Erick Thohir, has yet to oversee a coherent and contemporary football strategy since buying the club from Massimo Moratti in October 2013.

Bobby Lennox, Billy McNeill and Bertie Auld were in the team that defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon

Inter yearn to be back at the forefront of Italian football, where Mancini led them during his previous four-year spell at the San Siro between 2004 and 2008. He oversaw three Serie A title wins, two Coppa Italia triumphs and two Supercoppa Italiana wins, but only once did Inter reach as far as the Champions League group stages.

Mancini has won a cup competition with every club he has managed and has accumulated 12 trophies since retiring from playing. His record in Europe is less impressive, though, and that merely brings another dimension to the meeting with Celtic.

The Italian has not ruled out qualifying for the Champions League by finishing high enough in Serie A and Inter are only six points behind third-placed Lazio, but Monday night's 2-0 win over Chievo was Mancini's first in the league since returning to the club. He drew his first game, against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, only to then lose to Roma and Udinese.

Mancini believes that the Europa League presents a credible opportunity for Inter to qualify for the Champions League as winners and the team was unbeaten in the group stages - although Mancini was only in charge for two of those ties, a 2-1 win over Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and a 0-0 draw with Qarabag.

Celtic v Internazionale:	Past meetings
1967 European Cup final, Lisbon	Celtic 2-1 Internazionale
1972 European Cup semi-final, first leg, Milan	Internazionale 0-0 Celtic
1972 European Cup semi-final, second leg, Glasgow	Celtic 0-0 Internazionale (Inter won 5-4 on penalties)

There are pressing flaws to address, though, not least a recurring fragility in defence and a state of mind that robs the players of their assurance for long periods of games. This has undermined Inter this season; as well as the concession of goals - only five Serie A sides have lost more this season - the team has tended to perform well for one half or another in games.

Mancini was known as a defensive, controlling coach during his time in charge of Manchester City, but perceptions are relative. In Italy, he is considered more attack-minded and less hidebound by ideology than his predecessor, Mazzarri.

The back-line needs work, but Mancini is renowned for his training ground work with the defence and it is also likely that Nemanja Vidic will be shipped back to Manchester United in January, having failed to impress since his move to Inter. Mancini wants to do more squad renovation during the transfer window and Alessio Cerci, the Atletico Madrid attacker, is a target.

Inter are also reportedly keen on Lucas Leiva, the Liverpool midfielder, and are monitoring Diego Perotti of Genoa, Chelsea's Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's Fabio Borini and the Arsenal pair, Joel Campbell and Lukas Podolski. Any moves will need to be loan deals, though, since further transfer activity could put Inter at odds with Uefa"s Financial Fair Play rules and the club's managing director, Marco Fassone, met with governing body officials during his trip to Nyon for the Europa League draw.

Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is trying to restore Internazionale as a force in Italy

Mancini's first obligation is to bring stability to Inter, with the club having seen 10 managers come and go in the seven years before Mancini's arrival. He has switched the formation from 3-5-2 to 4-3-1-2 and has been working on building the players' self-confidence.

There is a strong spine to the side, with Samir Handanovic, the Slovenian international goalkeeper, Andrea Ranocchia, the Italian international defender, the Croatian Mateo Kovacic and the Brazilian Hernanes in mdifleder, and Mauro Icardi, the Argentine striker up front.

"Actually, he [has] looked so much different from his first experience at Inter," says Alex Frosio, the Gazzetta dello Sport journalist. "Now he appears to be very relaxed.

"Mancini believes that winning [the] Europa League could be an easier way to get a Champions League spot, more than getting third in the league. Inter is expected 100% to knock Celtic out."

Past glories are important to Inter and Celtic, but the present is about building new eras. Both sides would consider progressing in the Europa League as evidence that they have the right manager in charge to achieve that.

Source : bbc[dot]com

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