FIFA Confederation Cup 2013 Final Live Stream : Watch Brazil Vs Spain Live Stream

European giant Spain and South American giant Brazil are facing each other in the Final of FIFA Confederation Cup 2013. The final game in the Confederations Cup will be between Spain, the best team in the world, against Brazil, the best in history, in the Maracana, unquestionably one of the most evocative soccer stadiums on earth.

Host Brazil had reached the final Beating another South American Uruguay after Brazil’s winning goal came very late, from the head of Paulinho following a corner kick in the final moments. While Spain beat their European counter parth in dudden Death. The Selecao will do so with the knowledge that they now have nothing to lose and everything to gain from the final, having already far exceeded initial pre-tournament expectations. 

"We achieved our goal of getting to the final and giving the players a sense of unity and the fans an idea that we have a good team that can get to the final of the World Cup,"Scolari said of his team's performance on Friday, via BBC.

Having entered the competition under a cloud, Brazil believes in their national side once more. Despite all the problems seen off the pitch, the yellow shirt has become a symbol of joy for the people once more. 

Had they been able to choose their opponents, though, it is unlikely they would have ever chosen to face the might of Spain.

La Roja have been an all-conquering force in World Football for the past five years, with the 2009 Confederations Cup the one blot on their copybook in that time. Coincidentally, it was Brazil who clinched a third title on that occasion.

The motivation is there, then, for the team that has won virtually everything in the game. For many of the Spanish side, the Confederations Cup is the only trophy missing from their extensive collection.

As a fixture, pitting the hosts against the favourites, it could not get any bigger, and many will hope for a rematch at the same stage next Summer.

Among those excited by the prospect is Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who told reporters "The whole world wanted to see a Brazil-Spain final, and in the end the two teams who are there are the ones who deserve it.

"It's basically a curtain-raiser for the World Cup (next year), and everyone who loves football will agree that it should be a great match" he said, via Sambafoot.

The fixture should be a great clash for the neutral, as both sides seek to prove their point ahead of World Cup 2014. The stage is set, and now one of the two sides must lay down a marker ahead of next Summer's main event. Both teams, though, will be among the forerunners next year. 

 Click here to Watch Brazil Vs Spain FIFA Confederation Cup Final at Star Sports

Probable Lineups:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Luiz Gustavo,Paulinho, Oscar, Hulk, Neymar and Fred.
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Mata and Torres.
Recent form:
 Brazil: Five wins. (WWWWW)
 Spain: Five wins. (WWWWW)

Statistics:
Brazil would become the first team to win three successive Confederations Cup titles should they win. They currently lie level with France, who won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2003.
Spain, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 29 competitive games (W24, D5) since their 1-0 defeat to Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup.
Brazil edge the head-to-head between the two sides, having won on four of eight occasions. Spain have managed two wins, while there have been two draws.

Click Here to Watch Spain Vs  Brazil Live here at www.anantasports.com 

Afghanistan get ICC Associate membership

Afghanistan have been granted the Associate membership of the ICC to become the 38th country to get that status. The decision was taken by the ICC at its ongoing annual conference, which ends on June 29 in London. The nomination request had been sent by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) last year based on the continuous progress made by Afghanistan, especially in its cricket development.

"Afghanistan is the only country that receives the Associate membership in a short period of time in reward to the efforts Afghanistan made for the promotion of cricket," Dr Noor Muhammad, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), said on the ACC website. Becoming an Associate would mean higher funding and, importantly, more exposure for the passionate and cricket-starved players from Afghanistan, a war-torn country. So far, the ICC was paying $700,000 in annual funding to Afghanistan, which is now likely to rise to $850,000 based on the Associate status.
   Afghanistan became an Affiliate member of the ICC in 2001 when they travelled to Pakistan for their first tour. Languishing at one time in the fifth division of the World Cricket League, Afghanistan won the hearts of global cricket fans when they nearly qualified for the 2011 World Cup, but they lost to Canada and could not surpass Kenya's net run rate in the World Cup qualifiers. Immediately, they were granted the ODI status, valid until 2013.

 Afghanistan have also featured in the last two editions of the ICC's World Twenty20 (2010 and 2012). They have played ODIs against two Test-playing nations so far, Pakistan and Australia, and despite losing both the matches, players like Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi turned heads with their impressive performances.

ABC (Afghanistan Cricket Board Logo)

Over the last two years, the ACB has undergone organisational restructuring in a bid to provide better leadership and find qualified staff to run cricket administration. They are currently developing their domestic cricket infrastructure, and have signed a two-year deal with the Pakistan Cricket Board for the development of Afghanistan cricket ahead of the 2015 World Cup. The ICC has played a big role in the upliftment of Afghanistan cricket and in April this year, granted $422,000 as part of the targeted assistance programme.

Afghanistan Cricket Team

Afghanistan is the eighth country in the Asian region to become an Associate member after Hong Kong (1969), Kuwait (2005), Malaysia (1967), Nepal (1996), Singapore (1974), Thailand (2005) and UAE (1990). "It is a tremendous achievement by Afghanistan, the current administrators have worked very hard to advance Afghanistan's interests and much credit goes to Dr Noor and his team at the Afghanistan Cricket Board," Bandula Warnapura, ACC development manager, said.

Red Bull Driver Webber to quit Formula One at end of 2013

Mark Webber will leave champions Red Bull and Formula One at the end of the season to join Porsche's new Le Mans sportscar programme, the Australian driver announced on Thursday.
"I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula One. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world," he said on his website (www.markwebber.com).

Red Bull Driver Mark Webber

Porsche said he had signed a multi-year contract. Red Bull said a decision on his replacement would not be made until later in the season.The oldest driver on the starting grid, who will be 38 next year and is in his 12th season, Webber has yet to win a race in 2013 but has a good chance to rectify that at this weekend's British Grand Prix.

The straight-talking Australian - who drives a Porsche for private use - has won two of the last three races at Silverstone, including last year's, and has finished on the podium at what amounts to a home race every year since 2009.
He has won nine grands prix, all for Red Bull, since his debut with Minardi in 2002 but has been eclipsed in the championship by German team mate Sebastian Vettel who is chasing a fourth successive title.Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion with Ferrari, has been strongly tipped to take Webber's place.

That move would replace one of the sport's most outspoken drivers with the most taciturn and, at 33, second oldest after Webber.

Rajasthan Royals is set to launch their channel "RR TV".

The high-profile football teams like Manchester United, Barcelona across the globe have had their own media platform to promote the brand like 'Barca TV' or MUTV' and on similar lines Rajasthan Royals will launch the 'RR TV'. Launched in partnership with "Engage Sports Media" in order to provide fans access to exclusive original content, RR TV fired up a week before the Pepsi Indian Premier League 2013 started,and goes behind-the-scenes with Captain Rahul Dravid and Royals team.

Shilpa Shetty and Raj in the Launch show

'RR TV' will include daily online video clips of the team and offer a number of TV shows during the current season and post-season. It is syndicated and distributed to Royals' website and social networking sites like Fan Zone, You Tube, Facebook and Twitter, as well as online publishers, news and sports websites, radio, mobile and television networks in India, the sub-continent and selected international territories.

"We believe our fans are our biggest stakeholders. RR TV is a highly innovative media platform and one that looks at offering enthusiasts exciting exclusive team-based content. We are providing fans a unique digital experience ,taking them very close to the team and all the action," said Mr. Raghu Iyer,CEO, Rajasthan Royals.

The aim of this platform is to produce and distribute content in the off-season to give a year-round media product to build both the fan base and fan engagement around the world.

FIFA Confederation Cup 2013 Live Stream: Watch Spain vs Italy Live Stream

Today two European Giant Italy and Spain are facing each other to secure the position for Final Clash with Brazil in the Final of FIFA Confederation Cup 2013. Italy were humiliated in 2012 Euro cup championship final getting down 4-0, conceding two goals in either half of the game. The Azzurri will look to take revenge to make their way in the 2013 Confederations cup final as the hosts Brazil awaits.Italy remained the group runner ups as they got back against hosts Brazil in the group match as the hosts defeated Azzurri 4-2. Spain qualified to the semifinals of the tournament as the group winners, defeating Nigeria, Tahiti and Uruguay in their group as Fernando Torrres stays top of the goal scoring chart with five goals. 

Head to Head
In their 28 head to head so far, both these teams looks similar in records. Italy and Spain both won 8 times while 12 other matches ended as a draw.
In 7 matches played in 21st century, that is after 2000, Spain has won 3 time, Italy once and three matches ended as a draw.
Predicted Lineup
Mario Balotelli will miss the semifinal clash with injury which will be a big blow for his team.

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Torres, Silva
Formation: 4-3-3

Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Maggio, Pirlo, Rossi, Giaccherini, Candreva, Marchisio, Gilardino
Formation: 3-4-2-1

Watch Italy Vs Spain Live Stream in Star Sports here at  Spain Vs Italy at Star Sports
Watch Spain Vs Italy Live Stream here at www.anantasports.com

SAFF Championship 2013 warm : Bangladesh announced 35 membres Preliminary Squad.

Veteran custodian Biplob Bhattacharjee was brought back, while Nahidul Islam was the lone new face in the 35 member preliminary squad for the SAFF Championship announced Sunday by the Bangladesh Football Federation for the SAFF.Both players play for treble winners Sheikh Russell and were called due to their good showing in the Super Cup. Three expatriate Bangladeshis Jamal Bhuiyan, Reasat Khaton and Anando Rahman were also included in the list.

The players will report to manager Iqbal Hossain on June 28, while Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and his assistant Rene Koster are expected to take the charges from July 2.
The Dutch coaches will trim the squad to 22 after a few days and will go to full-fledged specialised training that includes a number of practice matches against foreign teams. The SAFF Championship is scheduled to kick off at Nepal from September 1st and will conclude on 12th.

The Squad

Goalkeepers- Shahidul Alam Sohel, Biplob Bhattachajee, Mamun Khan, Maksudur Rahman Mostak, Ziaur Rahman
Defenders- Wali Faisal, Atikur Rahman Meshu, Ariful Islam, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Raihan Hasan,Keshto Kumar, Ashraf Mahmud Linkon, Topu Barman, Arup Baidya, Raihan Hasan, Yamin Ahmed Chowdhury, Keshto Kumar Bose, Nahidul Islam
Midfielders- Mezbabul Manik, Sohel Rana, , Omar Faruk, Yousuf Sifat, Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Abdul Baten Komol, Arman Aziz, Pranotosh Kumar Das, Shahedul Alam Shahed, Mamunul Islam, Jahid Hossain
Forwards-Shakahwat Rony, Zahid Hasan Emily, Toklis Ahmed, Wahed Ahmed, Jamal Bhuyan (Denmark), Anando Rahman (Australia), Reasat Khaton (Germany)

Stay with yours Favorite sports portal www.anantasports.com for the exciting updated on SAFF Championship 2013.

Kings cup Football Bhutan:Kings Cup Football Tournament Fixture Announced

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Bhutan Football Federation and Woezer Events to revive the King’s Cup football tournament that will be held at the Changlimithang stadium in Thimphu from July 20 to August 9.

The tournament, which was first held in 2004 will, this year, feature nine teams from Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Bhutan. Thailand won the 2004 tournament.

The teams are Brothers Union and Team BJMC from Bangladesh, United Sikkim FC and Mohan Bagan FC from India, Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marsyangdi Club, NMB Machhindra FC and Three Star Club from Nepal and Yeedzin FC and Thimphu City from Bhutan.

The competition will be played on a league cum knock out format. A total of 15 matches will be played. The fixture of the competition has been DrawnAccording to the MoU, BFF will take care of technical issues and Woezer Events will look after the marketing, ticketing and logistics.A press release from BFF said the King’s Cup was initially organised in 1980s as the Federations Cup. In 2004, it was changed to King’s club when it was last organized.

NMB Machhindra FC &; LH MMC are in the same group (A) while Three Star Club is grouped in B.
Group A: Yeezdin FC (Bhutan), Brothers Union (Bangladesh), NMB Machhindra (Nepal), Mohan Bagan Academy (India), LH MMC (Nepal)

Group B: Three Star Club (Nepal), United Sikkim FC (India), Thimpu Fc (Bhutan), Team BJMC (Bangladesh). The match will be played at Chamlingthang Stadium which has an artificial turf. 
Yeezdin FC will take on Brother Union in the opening match at 4 PM on July 20. 
Three Star Club will take on United Sikkim FC on July 21.

NSJF Pulsar Best Player of the Year Nominations unveiled

Popular Player of the Year nominees -- national cricket captain Paras Khadka, swimmer Shirish Gurung and wushu player Jharana Gurung -- were shortlisted in one additional category each of Pulsar Sports Awards on Tuesday. Cricket and football players dominated the nominations for four differerent awards unveiled during a function at Kupandol, Lalitpur.
Khadka was nominated for the Male Player of the Year award while Jharana and Sirish were shortlisted for the youth and female player of the year awards respectively. Earlier, the three along with athlete Keshari Chaudhary and Jagjeet Shrestha were nominated for the popular player award.

Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF), the organizer of Sports Award, shortlisted five players each for male, female and youth player of the year and coach of the year awards. Among the eight categories of the Sports Award, lifetime achievement award, special award and para-athlete award won´t have nominations.
According to Prakash Timalsina, coordinator of the player selection committee and secretary of NSJF, the players were picked by a seven-member committee of sports journalists based on their performances and achievements at the international and domestic levels throughout the year 2069 BS.
The winners of three categories -- popular, male and female player of the year -- will be given a Pulsar motorbike each, while the winners of other five categories will be awarded Rs 50,000 along with gift hampers, said Nabin Khatiwada, spokesperson for the selection committee during the unveiling ceremony.

Male Player of the Year
Paras Khadka (Cricket): National cricket team skipper Khadka led Nepal to the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 and ACC Trophy Elite titles. He scored 291 runs and took nine wickets in the ACC Trophy Elite and was adjudged the man of the series during the ACC T20 Cup for his 274 runs and 4 wickets that guided Nepal to the second position.

Basanta Regmi (Cricket): Regmi was declared the man-of-the-series in Nepal´s title victory at the World Cricket League Division 4. Regmi claimed 21 wickets in the tournament to become the highest Nepali wicket taker in a single tournament. Regmi also took 41 wickets in a single season in domestic cricket, the highest by any Nepali cricketer so far. 

Tilakram Tharu (Athletics): Bettered his own national record in 200 m during London Olympics. The Armed Police Force (APF) staffer remained in top positions in all domestic events winning six golds and bettering 200 m national record in Golden Sprint.
Bharat Khawas (Army): Scored the fourth international hat-trick and the first at home ground for Nepal during group stage match of the AFC Challenge Cup at Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu. The forward of Nepal Army Club was adjudged the best player of the tournament in A division league. 

Sunil Lama (Karate): Claimed twin golds in the year including one each in the 13th Asia-Pacific Siterio Championship, Hong Kong, and Invitational Championship, Bangladesh.
Female Player of the Year
Ganga Devi Adhikari (Karate): Three international gold medals in the year including one each in the Asia Pacific Siterio Championship, Hong Kong, and Invitational Championship, Singapore Open, and Fujil Tumbe Mujib, Bangladesh.

Anu Lama (Football): Scored highest nine international goals including four against Kuwait friendly. The footballer of the APF scored five and assisted for as many goals in SAFF Championship, Colombo. Lama equalized the highest 25 international goals with teammate Jamuna Gurung.
Jamuna Gurung (Football): The skipper of national team scored highest eight goals as Nepal finished runner up in SAFF Championship, Colombo. Scoring 10 goals in the Gurung led APF to title of the league and won best player award.

Jharana Gurung (Wushu): The first Nepali wushu player to win Asian-level bronze after 18 years. She finished with bronze in 56 kg sansau in the Asian Wushu Championship, Vietnam.
Shreya Dhital (Swimming): She is Nepal ace swimmer, who represented Nepal in three international swimming events including the London Olympics. Dhital bettered her own record of 100 m freestyle in Olympics and in 50 m butterfly in domestic level. She won 13 golds in National swimming throughout the year.
Youth Player of the year
Sirish Gurung (Swimming): Claimed 32 golds throughout the year and set six national records earning 13 golds in the NSA Cup including five with record timing. The 15-year-old broke 28-year-old record in 1500 m freestyle.
Chahana Bamjan Lama(Wushu): Won bronze medal in the World Junior Wushu Championship, Macau, defeating US opponent. But lost in the semifinal after picking injury.
Akash Bista (Cricket): Claimed 19 wickets in ACC U-16 helping Nepal finish as runner-up. Scored 109 in six matches during his international debut and was declared the man-of-the-series.
Niru Thapa (Football): The midfielder of the national team scored two goals for national team, netted 15 goals for Police in the domestic tournament with two hat-tricks.
Ratnajeet Tamang (Badminton): Won all three major men´s singles title, two men´s doubles title and a mixed doubles title.
Coach of the Year.
Pubudu Dassanayake: The most successful coach of Nepali cricket who guided Nepal team to the title of Division 4 and ACC Trophy Elite. He helped Nepal finish runner-up in ACC T20 final and played vital role in setting up National Cricket Academy.
Yubaraj Gurung (Wushu): Coach of Chahana Gurung, he won bronze medal in the World Junior Wushu Championship, Macau, and is still an active wushu player.
Akbar Shah (Karate): The coach of Nepali team that won two gold, four silver and seven bronze medals in the Asia-Pacific Siterio Championship, Hong Kong. It was Nepal´s first gold medals in the Asian level after 18 years.
Wangden Lama (Swimming): Coach of top swimmers Sirish Gurung and Shreya Dhital. Gurung set six national records and Shreya two under Gurung´s guidance.
Nara Bahadur Shahi: Coach of Keshari Chaudhary, who set three national records, and Tilakram Tharu, who set one record. Shahi guided the Police team to nine gold, three silver and four bronze medals in the 38th National Athletics.

Australia sack Mickey Arthur, appoints Darren Lehman as new coach

Mickey Arthur has been sacked as coach of Australia just two weeks ahead of the start of the Ashes series against England after a series of poor results and a string of disciplinary issues in the squad, local media reported on Monday.Cricket Australia said they would be holding a news conference in Bristol, England, later on Monday, where chief executive James Sutherland would "discuss the coaching structure of the Australian team".

Mickey Arthur

Media reports indicated Sutherland would present Darren Lehmann, the Queensland coach who is in England with the Australia A team, as Arthur's successor.
The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper and other media outlets reported that Arthur had been informed over the weekend that he was being let go despite his contract running until March, 2015.The South African - the first non-Australian coach to run the side - took over in 2011 in the wake of a review into the humiliating 3-1 Ashes defeat, the first home series loss to England in nearly a quarter of a century.

Darren Lehman 

 The 45-year-old had previously coached South Africa to their first test series victory in Australia before resigning after falling out with Cricket South Africa officials.Under his watch, some initially encouraging results have given way to the debacle of this year's 4-0 test series defeat in India and the failure to reach the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy.
It may be, however, that Arthur has paid the price as much for the off-field problems as the on-field calamities.
In what became known as "homework-gate", Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were dropped from the third test in India for failing to provide their thoughts on how Australia could improve in an e-mail.

David Warner's Twitter attack on journalists did nothing to counter the impression that discipline was an issue in the squad and it was compounded when the opener hit England batsman Joe Root in a bar after a Champions Trophy defeat.

Sutherland was furious about the latter incident, which resulted in Warner being stood down for the remainder of the Champions Trophy.

The highly-regarded Lehmann, better known in cricket circles as "Boof", was a left-handed batsman who played 27 tests and 117 one-day internationals before moving into coaching.

Australia play a four-day tour match against Somerset on Wednesday with the first Ashes test starting at Trent Bridge on July 10.

Former Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola to Coach Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola knows it will be tough to improve the Bayern Munich team he's taking over — and will settle for maintaining the level of success it reached this past season.
Bayern displayed the kind of dominance that Guardiola's Barcelona teams were known for, winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and then the German Cup - meaning the Spanish coach will have a tough task to follow in the footsteps of Jupp Heynckes, who was gently pushed toward retirement.
"I'm taking over a team that played extraordinarily. They won four titles, three plus the (German) Supercup against Borussia Dortmund," said Guardiola, who led Barcelona to Champions League triumphs in 2009 and 2011. "I'll try to reach the level set by my predecessor."
Speaking in impressive German on Monday for his first news conference as coach of the European champions, Guardiola said he was lured to Bayern "above all" by the club's players, management and history.

Pep Guardiola

"There are few teams in the world as special (as Barcelona). Bayern Munich is one of these teams. When Bayern called me it was an honor. That's why I'm here. I said, 'Prima.' I'm here for these players and this history," Guardiola said.
After greeting more than 240 journalists with the traditional Bavarian salutation of "Gruess Gott," Guardiola began by saying, "Today it's not only a pleasure, but a gift to be here."

Guardiola steered Barcelona to 14 titles over four seasons when the Spanish club was widely considered the best in the world, and the 42-year-old coach is expected to build on Bayern's unprecedented success last season to establish the club as football's new leading side.
 "My time in Barcelona was wonderful but I needed a new challenge and Bayern Munich have provided that opportunity. So I'm ready, for this reason, to do my best," he said. "I'm sure that everyone, the fans of Bayern Munich, will remain proud of their players."

Bayern Munich Logo

 Guardiola took a one-year sabbatical after coaching Barcelona, leading to a host of clubs vying for his services. But Bayern won the race, and his appointment on a three-year deal was announced in January."The bosses decided that I would be coach and that's what happened. They rang me," Guardiola said.

"We had talks, negotiations," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "But from the first day you have the feeling that both sides wanted this partnership."Bayern president Uli Hoeness said Guardiola had always expressed enthusiasm for the job."He said, 'I can imagine working for Bayern.' Now he's here," Hoeness said.

Rummenigge said the club's domestic rivals will also benefit from Bayern having enlisted Guardiola as coach."Pep's presence here in the Bundesliga will enrich German football," the former striker said.

Guardiola, in his playing days a classy midfielder for Johan Cruyff's Barcelona, asked for time to settle into his new role, saying he still needed to get to know the players, assess the youth setup and the structures already in place.

"I need more time to get to know the Bundesliga perfectly," he said "I lived in New York a year and I watched all the games every weekend, especially Bayern's games. I think it's very, very good. It's not simple, this Bundesliga. I have to get used to the players and the opponents as soon as possible."He comes face to face with his former club on July 24 when Bayern plays Barcelona in a friendly in Munich.

"I don't know how I'll feel but it will be a special game for me," he said. "I'm here because of what I did in Barcelona. I'm sure it'll be a good game, a good preparation for the Supercup three days later against Borussia Dortmund."

Praised for his language skills, he pointed out that his German teacher is a Dortmund fan. "She wouldn't let me come here," he joked. After winning the treble last year, Bayern can add the European Supercup and Club World Cup in Guardiola's first season in charge.
He achieved that feat before, in 2009 with Barcelona, and the expectations on Bayern are likely to be sky-high for this upcoming season. Guardiola said repeatedly that he can handle those expectations.
"In big clubs you always have huge pressure," Guardiola said. "I have that pressure here, but I'm confident in myself. I'll take this huge challenge on, no problem. That's why I'm a coach."

ICC Champions Trophy 2013: India won the Final against India

What will Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni expect more as he was the only captain to receive the entire Trophy that is given by ICC? The latest Trophy India won was ICC Champions Trophy 2013 as India beats England by five runs in nail-biting finish to Champions Trophy final after rain reduces game to 20-overs-a-side affair. 

Indian Players Celebrating after Victory

After nearly six hours spent watching dark clouds spit down on Edgbaston, a voluble India-centric crowd was treated to a frenetic 20-over final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in which the team they supported squeaked home in the tightest of twilight finishes. Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first captain to have led his team to victory in all major ICC tournaments – the 50-over World Cup, the World Twenty20 and the Champions Trophy – buttressing his credentials as a leader of men, when his side won by five runs, successfully defending 129. 

Shikhar Dhawan, Dhoni and Jadeja with their respective Trophy

When the toss happened as scheduled at 10am on a windy Sunday (June 23) morning, it appeared that the weather boffins had got it wrong, and with a full 50-over game on the cards under cloudy skies Alastair Cook put India in. From that moment on, the players had to be content watching from the confines of the dressing room till a 20-over game – made possibly by the extension of the cut off time to 8.30pm – got underway at 4.20pm.

From then on, though, there was no shortage of action. England’s bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad first up, were sharp, and Rohit Sharma was the first to suffer, losing his stumps to an airy drive. Two brief interruptions for rain ensured that the batsmen did not have a chance to settle, but Shikhar Dhawan showed that he was up for the big final, rising in the air to uppercut Broad for the first six of the game.

While Dhawan continued his remarkable run in the tournament, Ravi Bopara triggered an unlikely collapse and India went from 50 for 1 to 66 for 5. Dhawan (31 from 24) slapped one to cover, and Suresh Raina and Dhoni fell off a double-wicket maiden. Raina holed out to mid-on and Dhoni carved one to third man.

At that point, England was well on top, and it took an innings of high quality from Virat Kohli and one of remarkable composure from Ravindra Jadeja to revive India. Kohli was at his beautiful best, drilling the ball all along the turf through cover, and when he picked a Broad short ball early and smacked it deep into the stands at square-leg, he set Jadeja off. A full ball from Anderson was met with the cleanest of Jadeja swings and the ball disappeared over long-off.

Kohli, with his 43, and Jadeja, with a late unbeaten 33 from only 25 balls, pushed India along to 129 for 7, a total that gave India a fighting chance.

And how they fought: fielders in the circle swarmed all over the England batsmen, attacking everything that came their way, and after the pace and swing of Umesh Yadav had accounted for Cook, the spinners put a lid on the scoring and applied pressure. With the ball gripping the surface, turning sharply, and affording the odd bit of extra bounce, R Ashwin set to work, having Jonathan Trott stumped down the leg side off the second ball of his spell. Joe Root, who was stifled by close-in fielders and worked over by Ashwin, top-edged a pull to fine-leg. When Jadeja won the tightest of decisions from third umpire Bruce Oxenford to send Ian Bell back stumped, England was 46 for 4 in the ninth over.

In their first spells, Ashwin and Jadeja had combined figures of 5-1-14-3, and it was only the introduction of Raina’s part-time offbreaks that released the pressure.

A 64-run partnership between Eoin Morgan and Bopara briefly threatened India’s sub-par score, but when Ishant Sharma dismissed both batsmen in the 18th over, England choked, losing four wickets for three runs in the space of eight balls, leaving it with 15 to get from the final over, bowled by Ashwin. England’s lower order swung at everything, and when six were needed off the last ball, the game had gone the complete distance. James Tredwell heaved at one that Ashwin held back, and the turn took the ball past the bat, leaving England stranded at 124 for 8.

2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final : Watch India vs England Live Stream Online

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has it all – ICC WT20 title, ICC Cricket World Cup (50-over) – but one. He is yet to win the ICC Champions Trophy. On the other hand, England has won only one premier ICC tournament till date – the WT20 title. They have never won a major ICC 50-over competition.
England and India will lock horns in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday with an aim to lift the trophy that has eluded them both all these years. However, the latter can still claim to have won the title once when they were declared the joint winners along with Sri Lanka in 2002. Of course, they would have loved not to share the spoils with their island neighbour. Now, India have another chance to have a go at the title and their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be looking to complete his trophy cabinet with this final piece of silverware. 

    Alastair Cook, leading England in a major ICC tournament for the first time, will be eager to continue the good run and become the first skipper from his country to lift an ICC trophy in a 50-over competition. He must be confident to walk the extra mile this time because of the team that he has at his disposal and the imperious form that the English bowlers and batsmen have been in in this tourney. The last time England made it to the finals of this competition, West Indies stood in their way and handed them a heartbreaking defeat. Courtney Brown and Ian Bradshaw had staged a remarkable comeback to stitch an unbeaten 71-run stand to land West Indies the 2004 Champions Trophy – in England.
   India, the current world champions and top-ranked ODI side, also came close to winning the title twice – in Kenya (2000) and Sri Lanka (2002). In Kenya, they were denied by Chris Cairns who struck an unbeaten century in the final while in Sri Lanka, the rain played spoilsport – twice. So, both these teams will be eager to make up for the past slips (natural or otherwise) on Sunday. It seems a fitting finale to the much debated competition which is to breathe its last as the ICC has finally decided to scrap it altogether due to the packed international calendar. It will be a battle of Indian batting v/s English bowling.


Indian batting, led by Shikhar Dhawan, has been the most consistent while their only concern remains the yet-to-be-tested middle order. The openers have provided them, unfailingly, with a fairly strong start, leaving the upcoming batsmen with the luxury to go hammer and tongs at will. Their strength will be up for a stern test in the event of a failure of the top order and when facing the English pace attack, it is very much a possibility.

James Anderson, even in the absence of the conventional swing, has done enough to trouble the batsmen. It is his consistency that has landed him 10 wickets in four games. The duo of Anderson and Stuart Broad was prominent in destroying South African hopes of a title in the semi-final when they shared five wickets between them.
  A worrying factor for India is their death bowling. After Zaheer Khan, they haven’t been able to delegate the responsibility of halting the late charge in the final 10 overs of the innings. Their bowlers have got them the early breakthrough, but plugging the leakage when the batsmen are going after everything will be crucial in this match.

If the rain permits, on Sunday we are in for a close contest between the current two best ODI sides in the world.

Champions Trophy has been marred by controversies in the past and the same was expected this year too. However, England, to the surprise of many, have hosted a competitive event. Apart from the odd incident of a game between Australia and New Zealand being completely abandoned due to persistent rain, so far the tourney can be counted a success. It is a pity that a sleek and crisp Champions Trophy – a tournament that has a much superior claim of being the premier 50-over competition than the oversized World Cup – will cease to exist after the final on Sunday at Edgbaston.
Last Five Matches(Most recent first)
England WWLWW
India WWWWL

Team news
India are highly unlikely to disturb their winning combination, and while England might want to go the same route they could have two temptations. James Tredwell has done enough to challenge Graeme Swann's status as the best ODI spinner in the country, but will England be able to overlook Swann's experience should he be fit? The only other change could be Tim Bresnan playing ahead of Steven Finn because Edgbaston can assist reverse swing. However, it will be difficult to leave out Finn against any Asian side.

England 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Ian Bell, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 James Tredwell/Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn/Tim Bresnan

India 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 MS Dhoni, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav

Pitch and conditions
The big concern is what is overhead. It rained a day before the final, and the weather is expected to play some part during the match, but will it do enough to affect what have been almost subcontinental conditions at Edgbaston? The pitch for this match hasn't been used previously, but If it retains enough moisture, the ball could seam around crazily as it did in the Cardiff semi-final.

Stats and trivia

· India and England have played only three knockout matches against each other. India won the 1983 World Cup semi-final and the 2002 tri-series final, both in England, but England won the 1987 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai.

· India have not lost a single wicket in the mandatory Powerplays this Champions Trophy. Their smallest opening stand has been 58, against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

· England have made it to four finals in ICC ODI tournaments without winning any of them.

Match Details
ICC Champions Trophy 2013 Final
India Vs England
Date: 23rd June 2013
Venue: Edgbaston

Time:10:30 Local time, 10:30 GMT, 15:15 NST

Click here to ICC Champions Trophy Final in Star Cricket

 Click Here to watch India Vs England in Final of ICC Champions Trophy 2013

Miami beat San Antonio to win NBA title

The Miami Heat clinched their second successive National Basketball (NBA) championship on Thursday, beating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in the decisive seventh game of an epic series.
Miami's LeBron James, the sport's biggest star playing at the peak of his powers, had a game-high 37 points and pulled in 12 rebounds in a dominant performance while Dwyane Wade had 23 points.
 James shot 12-of-23 from the floor, including 5-of-10 three-pointers to lead Miami to their third NBA title and his second just two nights after the Heat's championship defence almost ended abruptly.

LeBron James

 San Antonio, chasing a fifth NBA title, were just seconds away from clinching the championship on Tuesday before Miami staged an extraordinary comeback to win in overtime and force a decisive seventh game.The visitors made a great start on Thursday, opening up a seven-point lead in the first quarter and by three late in the third quarter but came up just short.

Tim Duncan scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Spurs while Kawhi Leonard had 19 in the winner-take-all clash that had whipped basketball fans into a frenzy of excitement during a wildly fluctuating series full of escalating drama.
Courtside tickets for Thursday's game were selling on the secondary market for up to $30,000 and the game lived up to the hype with both teams fiercely contesting every possession.

English Premier League 2013/2014: English Premier League Schedule 2013-2014

The 2013/14 Premier League season will get underway on Saturday 17 August 2013 .The fixture list for 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season has been released.Please find below the fixtures. All kick-off times are 3pm, unless stated. Please note these fixtures are subject to change. The First Match will be played between Arsenal and Asten Villa on 17 August while the last match will be played between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City in 11th May 2014. Stay with us as we will Try to bring the Live Stream of all the Matches of EPL 2013/ 2014.

English Premier League Football Schedule (Click image to enlarge)

17 August 2013

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Hull City
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool v Stoke City
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Norwich City v Everton
Sunderland v Fulham
Swansea City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton
West Ham United v Cardiff City

24 August 2013

Aston Villa v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Manchester City
Everton v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Arsenal
Hull City v Norwich City
Manchester United v Chelsea
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Southampton v Sunderland
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City

31 August 2013

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Liverpool v Manchester United
Manchester City v Hull City
Newcastle United v Fulham
Norwich City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City
West Ham United v Stoke City

14 September 2013

Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City v Cardiff City
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Southampton v West Ham United
Stoke City v Manchester City
Sunderland v Arsenal
Swansea City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

21 September 2013

Arsenal v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Swansea City
Liverpool v Southampton
Manchester City v Manchester United
Newcastle United v Hull City
Norwich City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Ham United v Everton

28 September 2013

Aston Villa v Manchester City
Everton v Newcastle United
Fulham v Cardiff City
Hull City v West Ham United
Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Stoke City v Norwich City
Sunderland v Liverpool
Swansea City v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

5 October 2013

Cardiff City v Newcastle United
Fulham v Stoke City
Hull City v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Everton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Southampton v Swansea City
Sunderland v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

19 October 2013

Arsenal v Norwich City
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Fulham
Everton v Hull City
Manchester United v Southampton
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Sunderland
West Ham United v Manchester City

26 October 2013

Aston Villa v Everton
Chelsea v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Cardiff City
Southampton v Fulham
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Swansea City v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City

2 November 2013

Arsenal v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Swansea City
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Manchester United
Hull City v Sunderland
Manchester City v Norwich City
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Stoke City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace
West Ham United v Aston Villa

9 November 2013

Aston Villa v Cardiff City
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
Crystal Palace v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham
Manchester United v Arsenal
Norwich City v West Ham United
Southampton v Hull City
Sunderland v Manchester City
Swansea City v Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

23 November 2013

Arsenal v Southampton
Cardiff City v Manchester United
Everton v Liverpool
Fulham v Swansea City
Hull City v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United v Norwich City
Stoke City v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa
West Ham United v Chelsea

30 November 2013

Aston Villa v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Chelsea v Southampton
Everton v Stoke City
Hull City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Swansea City
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion
Norwich City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
West Ham United v Fulham

3 December 2013

Arsenal v Hull City, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v West Ham United, 8pm
Liverpool v Norwich City, 8pm
Manchester United v Everton, 7.45pm
Southampton v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Chelsea, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City, 8pm

4 December 2013

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur, 8pm

7 December 2013

Arsenal v Everton
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Fulham v Aston Villa
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Southampton v Manchester City
Stoke City v Chelsea
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Swansea City v Hull City
West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

14 December 2013

Aston Villa v Manchester United
Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Everton v Fulham
Hull City v Stoke City
Manchester City v Arsenal
Newcastle United v Southampton
Norwich City v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
West Ham United v Sunderland

21 December 2013

Arsenal v Chelsea
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Fulham v Manchester City
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Manchester United v West Ham United
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Stoke City v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Norwich City
Swansea City v Everton
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

26 December 2013

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Southampton
Chelsea v Swansea City
Everton v Sunderland
Hull City v Manchester United
Manchester City v Liverpool
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United v Arsenal

28 December 2013

Aston Villa v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Sunderland
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Southampton
Hull City v Fulham
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Norwich City v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion

1 January 2014

Arsenal v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Norwich City
Fulham v West Ham United
Liverpool v Hull City
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Chelsea
Stoke City v Everton
Sunderland v Aston Villa
Swansea City v Manchester City
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

11 January 2014

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Cardiff City v West Ham United
Everton v Norwich City
Fulham v Sunderland
Hull City v Chelsea
Manchester United v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

18 January 2014

Arsenal v Fulham
Chelsea v Manchester United
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Cardiff City
Norwich City v Hull City
Sunderland v Southampton
Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
West Ham United v Newcastle United

28 January 2014

Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v Hull City, 8pm
Liverpool v Everton, 8pm
Manchester United v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Norwich City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
Southampton v Arsenal, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Stoke City, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Fulham, 7.45pm

29 January 2014

Chelsea v West Ham United, 7.45pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, 7.45pm

1 February 2014

Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Everton v Aston Villa
Fulham v Southampton
Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Chelsea
Newcastle United v Sunderland
Stoke City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
West Ham United v Swansea City

8 February 2014

Aston Villa v West Ham United
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v Fulham
Norwich City v Manchester City
Southampton v Stoke City
Sunderland v Hull City
Swansea City v Cardiff City
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

11 February 2014

Arsenal v Manchester United, 7.45pm
Cardiff City v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Hull City v Southampton, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Swansea City, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea, 8pm
West Ham United v Norwich City, 7.45pm

12 February 2014

Everton v Crystal Palace, 7.45pm
Fulham v Liverpool, 8pm
Manchester City v Sunderland, 7.45pm
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur, 7.45pm

22 February 2014

Arsenal v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Hull City
Chelsea v Everton
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Liverpool v Swansea City
Manchester City v Stoke City
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
West Ham United v Southampton

1 March 2014

Aston Villa v Norwich City
Everton v West Ham United
Fulham v Chelsea
Hull City v Newcastle United
Manchester United v Manchester City
Southampton v Liverpool
Stoke City v Arsenal
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Cardiff City

8 March 2014

Arsenal v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Fulham
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Liverpool v Sunderland
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Everton
Norwich City v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
West Ham United v Hull City

15 March 2014

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Cardiff City
Fulham v Newcastle United
Hull City v Manchester City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Southampton v Norwich City
Stoke City v West Ham United
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

22 March 2014

Aston Villa v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Liverpool
Chelsea v Arsenal
Everton v Swansea City
Hull City v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester City v Fulham
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
Norwich City v Sunderland
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton
West Ham United v Manchester United

29 March 2014

Arsenal v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Fulham v Everton
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Southampton v Newcastle United
Stoke City v Hull City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Swansea City v Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City

5 April 2014

Aston Villa v Fulham
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Stoke City
Everton v Arsenal
Hull City v Swansea City
Manchester City v Southampton
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
West Ham United v Liverpool

12 April 2014

Arsenal v West Ham United
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Fulham v Norwich City
Liverpool v Manchester City
Manchester United v Hull City
Southampton v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Newcastle United
Sunderland v Everton
Swansea City v Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

19 April 2014

Aston Villa v Southampton
Cardiff City v Stoke City
Chelsea v Sunderland
Everton v Manchester United
Hull City v Arsenal
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle United v Swansea City
Norwich City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
West Ham United v Crystal Palace

26 April 2014

Arsenal v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Fulham v Hull City
Liverpool v Chelsea
Manchester United v Norwich City
Southampton v Everton
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunderland v Cardiff City
Swansea City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United

3 May 2014

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Hull City
Chelsea v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Everton v Manchester City
Manchester United v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Fulham
Swansea City v Southampton
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

11 May 2014

Cardiff City v Chelsea
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Hull City v Everton
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Manchester City v West Ham United
Norwich City v Arsenal
Southampton v Manchester United
Sunderland v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City