Rebellin sunlight

Not worried at the last stage, won by Luis Leon Sanchez (C. d'Epargne), Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) wrote her name at the top of the Paris-Nice race. Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R) remains in second place, just 3 seconds behind the winner final. Auréolé the leader's jersey since Saturday, and mission accomplished disorientation of the Rabobank and Robert Gesink during the stage of Cannes, Davide Rebellin was able to protect his due during a final day of the race that had everything ' a trap. With three passes in the program, including the famous Col d'Eze, climb full of history in Paris-Nice, this 7th stage was hard enough on paper to stun a number of competitors. The Italian nevertheless held its position well, ideally surrounded by his bodyguards. It must be said that Rinaldo Nocentini, which was only three seconds on the morning of the last step to be taken, has not led a tough life to the formation of Germany. His team, AG2R - The World, has been content to work to control escapes, hoping to undermine the winner leaving the Flèche Wallonne on the final metres of the race. On this ground, Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez who managed the feat that Nocentini would have wanted to achieve. The rider from the Caisse d'Epargne, already stage winner last year at Cannes, went out in the bottom of the descent of the Col d'Eze to join the fleeing of the day at the entrance in Nice. Playing its qualities roller and a boundless desire, the big guy standing right to the end despite the return of threatening Maxime Monfort (Cofidis, 2e), and Carlos Barredo (Quickstep, 3e). Sanchez in the paver Yet, it has long been believed that success would come back for the second time in two days, a French. Wednesday narrowly beaten by Kjell Carlstrom, the young Lhotellerie Clement, 22 years old, put it, embellished his polka dot for best climber, as long illusion for the victory. The rider of the team Skil-Shimano has finally joined by Javier Benitez (Saunier Duval) in the final, before you notice the effectiveness of a pack launched at high speed when approaching the Promenade des Anglais. The power of Sanchez and experience of Rebellin did the rest. They share the honours of this final day, confirming their label specialists Paris-Nice. Indeed, patience always ends up paying. It is not one of the riders in the most titled activity we are going to learn. Four times in the ten, three times on the podium twice in the second, Davide Rebellin is still spent close to success in the "race to the sun". Last year, he was close to winning, could only see the superiority of Alberto Contador the last day, which rid of his yellow jersey to forceps. This year, even though he was not the strongest on the justice of Mont Ventoux, in a stage dominated by Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank), it was the most consistent and it enough. He won a 66th edition of Paris-Nice with the show has been gratifying, as well as climate that surrounded prior to its launch. For how long?

Bormio-Finals: Vittoz hands

Too bad for him that the season ends this Sunday! Winner Saturday's 20 km classic finals Bormio, Vincent Vittoz repeated Sunday by winning the final race of the 2007-08 World Cup, the continuation of 15 km. Party with 57 "5 ahead of the winner of the World Cup, the Czech Lukas Bauer, the French even managed to widen the gap, as it is with 1'10" on Bauer and almost two minutes on Italy's Giorgio Di Centa. Vincent Vittoz ends of the coup's final ranking fourth from the bottom and eleventh in the overall rankings of the World Cup which also includes the sprint (he's not).

Six Nations: rebuilding the XV of France is running

The XV of France laid the foundations for its reconstruction around new coaches, new players and a game more adventurous during the Six Nations tournament even if you paid the price in the results. From an accounting point of view, the changeover took place in the last match against Wales, Saturday at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The XV of France it was presented with three victories over Scotland, 27-6, at Murrayfield, Ireland, Italy 26-21 and 25-13 at the Stade de France and a defeat, 24-13 , in front of England, always at the Stade de France. He was in position to win the tournament with a victory by 20 points difference. He lost 29-12 and was the second blown up by England to the difference in points. "The result is disappointing. Course, I would have preferred to finish second. Mostly preferred I win today and win the Grand Slam in place of Wales," said the coach Marc Lièvremont. "We are disappointed with the magnitude of the score and finished in third place." This ranking is the worst since 2003 for the XV of France, who won the tournament in 2004, with a Grand Slam in the key, 2006 and 2007 and finished second in 2005. The coach of the XV of France, who used his first tournament for exploring new players and implement a more adventurous Thursday, taking its share of responsibility in this disappointing progress. "Again, we take our choice even after this large defeat. In some ways, we put the players at risk by the turnover," he says. Its strategy has led to convene Marc Lièvremont 37 players including 13 newcomers in five matches. Captain Lionel Nallet is the only incumbent to have been five times, eight have played all the matches. Three were wounded before playing. "FUTURE PLUS SOURIANT" This ballet has affected permanent uniformity and cohesion of the team but has also given fresh momentum and the XV of France who was bruised left of the World Cup. Several young people, the third line Fulgence Ouedraogo, the mainstay Fabien Barcella, behind Anthony Floch, the usher-François Duc Trinh, winger Julien Malzieu and scrum half Morgan Parra have shown the international level. The older players, they have been retained or recalled by Lièvremont, have found a new lease of life. All, old and new, have been boosted by the permanent part of musical chairs. All seem to have also joined the new policy in a Centre National du Rugby Marcoussis who has lost his nickname Marcatraz. "I feel good in the French team, I feel very well because it goes well with the coaches, and we communicate on many exchanges," said Lionel Nallet on the eve of Wales-France. "The coaches have confidence in me, I have confidence in them. Whenever like that all goes well," he added. "The big satisfaction over the whole tournament, the investment of players on the substance and form, as they join the project," Judge Marc Lièvremont. "I want to believe in a future smiling for the French team." The tour of Australia in June will be the next step in this future that the XV of France will conduct without the winners of the semi-finals of the Top 14 is a certainty and, most probably, not losers. "This is an opportunity to see other talents, other potentials," says Marc Lièvremont. "There is no 150 players at ease in the French team. There are perhaps a dozen or even a dozen, more," he adds. "We will certainly during the tour for reasons of cohesion." The group will probably tighten, but then as stated Marc Lièvremont amused with a smile: "Now the only question is when ..."

Biathlon

Even if it failed in its quest for big globe at the end of the last race of the season, Sandrine Bailly custody rather a smile. The Frenchwoman is satisfied with his season and have entered into a "cap". She has no regrets on this decisive day, even if it is not satisfied with some of his performances during the season. "Sandrine Bailly, the disappointment is not too much to miss this" big world "for 13 points? No, I am happy because I have given everything and I knew before the race that this would be difficult. I might be disappointed because I did not win the globe, but I have no regrets to have on the race today. J'attaque badly with three penalties on my first shot. I saw that there was the wind. I changed the settings of the rifle. The targets do not even fall when there then had a little panic, but I still hung even when I was 19th after the first shot. I said, "It's not over, we must beat you." You can always have regrets, but I have always tried to do my best today and throughout this season. Whether you inspire victory Neuner who completes World N.1 despite an impressive number of penalties on its standing shooting? I deserve the globe provided it, I worked hard, I fought well throughout the season, I was very steady while the number of Germans are to evolve at this level: when one does perform not, there is another who is there. It was often "Bailly because of the resistance". Neuner, it has an advantage, it goes very fast on skis, it can afford to have a lot of penalties, but that's not really a complete biathlete. When she put his shots standing there when it is really unbeatable. How would you describe your season marked by a 2nd place in the world rankings but another failure in a great appointment, the 2008 World? The satisfaction is to have reacted well after last season, I worked on shooting, I imposed a way of doing. Now it's happened to me several times to the 12 and 20 on it, it is no longer possible at this level in the future. I spent a course, everything is out of control, I am on the right path, we must continue to do our release. I need more rigor to the shooting, there are still some things to grab physically but this is not my major problem. As for the World 2008 (5th sprint and the pursuit for better results, ndlr), my great regret, more than the absence of individual podiums, it's not having managed to stay in my bubble and have been disrupted by related issues (his decision not to run the relay mixed).

Beijing 2008 - Paris against the boycott, policies get involved

Five months of the Olympic Games in Beijing, and while demonstrations were suppressed in blood in Lhasa, Tibet (see our article), France took action Sunday against the boycott of the Games. The Secretary of State for Human Rights, Rama Yade, in fact clearly stated on Europe 1 that France is "not in favour of a boycott" stressing that "in history," such actions are "rarely effective." But she claimed that "light will be shed at the earliest opportunity" to "very disturbing events" in Tibet and requested that "the peaceful demonstrators who were imprisoned were released." "An absolutely intolerable obscenity" At the same time, officials have defended the use of such a boycott to protest against the attitude of China in Tibet. For the philosopher Benard-Henri Levy, "the Olympic Games had already not make much sense in this China that flouts every day human rights (...) the shadow of the suppression of Tibetan monks, (they) become an obscenity absolutely unbearable: I do not see how Democrats can avoid calling their boycott today, "he said on RTL. Even speeches from the MP and former socialist minister Jack Lang. But, he said, "would convince many countries" to participate. "I support, while seeking votes that it does not remain unfulfilled," he added in Le Parisien. He accused the french government to "follow" in the denunciation of China, believing that "this cowardice vis-à-vis Tibet is unacceptable." "I have not heard that during the trip to Beijing, the French authorities had raised any questions on Tibet," he said about the trip to China by Nicolas Sarkozy, in November. Badges for Tibet? Partisan a less radical solution, the former Minister of Justice Robert Badinter socialist, a signatory in 2000 of a manifesto for the parliamentary french Tibet, which for a boycott is "unrealistic", suggested that all athletes competing at the Olympic Games wear badges advocating the Tibetan cause. "Imagine if all those who will carry the Olympics in the stadium immense Beijing badges marked with" Long live free Tibet 'or' Obey the Tibetans' (...) This would have a considerable impact, "he launched RTL. In sports, the president of the French Federation of judo, Jean-Luc Rougé, found that the organization of the Olympic Games in Beijing was more dangerous to the Chinese regime that any boycott, in an interview with the Parisien / Aujourd ' hui en France. "Without the Olympics, the world would not have spoken in the same way events that have just taken place in Tibet," pleaded the old judoka, who took part in 1980 at the Olympic Games in Moscow, boycotted by several Western countries. Silence MOK The sports world is pronounced elsewhere overwhelmingly against a boycott. "There is no doubt that through the Games, after the Games, the theme of human rights in China is experiencing a huge step forward," said with optimism and the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) Alejandro Blanco. Sunday, only a few isolated athletes had raised the possibility of a boycott, on the query mode, particularly in Germany (see box below), while the IOC has remained silent. Project promoter Games, it is solely responsible for the choice of Beijing for the race organisers. At the time, in 2001, the institution Olympic had already faced a volley of criticism from all over the world, for having granted the Olympics to a scheme in conflict with human rights.

Lyon breaks tradition

The quest for points at home, hoped Monaco falling leader Lyon, invigorated by his brilliant success in Bordeaux last Sunday (4-2). Les Gones, little at ease in Louis-II (5 losses, 1 zero during the last six confrontations), should achieve a good result to maintain their lead over the Girondins. The show of ex-Lillois Faced with relatively topped spans, the Monegasques were the first to be dangerous. After a superb one-two between Meriem and Nene, the former Bordeaux found himself alone in the area, but the judge reporting an off-line Thursday .. Wrongly (5e)! This alert without charge for the visitors had the merit to wake Lyon. Gradually, Gones took control of the game And after two attempts shy of Toulalan and Källström, Rhodaniens logically opened the score. Benzema décalait Keita at the entrance to the surface. The Ivorian won his duel with Muratori physical and shipped to a superb half-fly in the opposite skylight Ruffier (1-0, 20th). The reaction of Monaco was shy. Meriem launched Muratori. The left side instantly focused on Almiron, but the head of the Argentinian went well above (29e). By contrast, Lyon showed much more realistic. At the baton, Bodmer found his former partner lillois Keita a magnificent cross. The attacker, alone with Ruffier, hit the pole. The ball came back nevertheless Fred, who no longer simply by pushing the merits of the nets (2-0, 34th)! Assommés, men Ricardo encaissaient a third goal in the wake. The action started yet on the surface of Lyon. Boumsong was a small bridge over Meriem and for getting to Grosso. The Italian then alerted Bodmer in the axis. The middle lifted his head and sent a caviar to Keita, who benefited from a missed Muratori for lober Ruffier (3-0, 37th)! Never Lyon had registered three-goal Louis II. At the break, the match seemed already folded… The inevitable to Benzema However, the local returning changing rooms with the desire to save at least honour. After a corner shot by Nene, Almiron found the framework of the head. Coupet was beaten but Källström, first pole, pushing (48e)! The replica Lyons was immediate. Keita found himself once again alone in front Ruffier but it was not in (49e)! The champion France had a tendency to "play" a little too easy. Just like Benzema, which we were not accustomed to such a mess. After a one-two full-axis with Fred, the top scorer in Ligue 1 found himself alone with Ruffier. Thanks to a body feint that it gave the goalkeeper out of reach. But instead of hitting with a view virtually empty, it was tergiversait and chiper the ball in the feet (73e)! Therefore, the Monegasques not trying anything anymore. Their only concern was not to collect a new goal. After a last fifteen minutes of the most boring, Mr. Lannoy ended the game. Lyon regrowth therefore provisionally Bordeaux, which plays Sunday against Strasbourg, 9 lengths. The game and players Monaco has not weighed heavily face Lyon. The ASM has yet within its ranks players of high quality. Technically, Nene has little to envy anyone. Especially collectively as the Principality club has been able to measure the distance of champion France. Hurrying high, the defense has suffered. The poor Muratori is directly involved in two of the three opposing goals. The guard Ruffier did not forget Roma, yet author of a season average… In the middle, Meriem failed to create real danger. In peak Piquionne waited good ball in vain. Almiron was Monaco's most dangerous. Liberated from its European obligations, Lyon has decided to reassert its hegemony over France. Omnipresent to recovery, midfielder rhodanien has stifled his counterpart. Toulalan has again shot down a titanic task. In the absence of Juninho, Bodmer took its responsibilities. Its agreement with Keita, untenable right side, was brilliant. Fred has also done a solid match. Positioned on the front of the attack, he compelled to s'excentrer Benzema. The young international would have been able to score if he had been less greedy. The defense has spent an afternoon relatively quiet. Note that Boumsong perfectly for him during his absence from Squillaci.

In the aftermath of zero face conceded at home in Valenciennes (1-1), the players of Paris-SG conducted a décrassage Sunday morning at Camp des Loges. A meeting which did not participate the striker Pedro Miguel Pauleta. The Portuguese striker was injured Saturday in the left thigh and will be unavailable Tuesday to face Bastia in the Coupe de France (18.15). Touchdowns in the right thigh, Péguy Luyindula and Bernard Mendy have both participated in jogging in the woods, but they also missed the call Coupe de France. Both players are not even sure to be restored for the trip to Lyon next Sunday. "We will see" was content to let Mendy before to enter his vehicle. "I run, but still not accelerating," for its part explained Luyindula. Shot in the right thigh for several weeks, Didier Digard is now hit with a hip and will also package for the two upcoming events. One point will be done with the medical staff in eight days

Man Utd: Ferguson protects Cristiano Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson returned to the treatment "for" he believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is the victim from the opposing defenders. The general manager of the Red Devils in particular has openly taken to arbitration, stating: "Players like him should receive more protection on the land. We are supposed to provide entertainment, football is a game" The technician especially afraid of seeing his prodigy fly to another championship force to receive blows. On the last day against Derby County (1-0), three opponents were warned for errors on winger Manchester.

Swimming: Esther Baron may be deprived of European Championships

The Frenchwoman Esther Baron, European Championship 2006 from 200 metres back, should not be able to defend his title championships Europe that compete in Eindhoven (Netherlands) Tuesday 18 to Monday, March 24. Arriving in the morning at Eindhoven Airport, Esther Baron "will not be committed to the European Championships," said a press release issued by the French Swimming Federation Saturday evening. Reason for this punishment: his absence reunification of the French team organized in Dunkirk Thursday 13 to Saturday, March 15, which were asked to participate swimmers involved in the tests for opening European Championships. Friday, through the national technical director Claude Fauquet, the French Swimming Federation had planned to postpone until Saturday arriving at Dunkirk swimmer of the Canet-en-Roussillon so that it can take part in European events. After that time, the Federation, in agreement with the State Secretariat for Sports, has decided not to host swimmer and accredit the tricolour in Eindhoven. Esther Baron, next Tuesday engaged in the test of 200 m backstroke, could therefore probably not defend his crown mainland. His coach, Philippe Lucas, is expected Monday in Eindhoven. Esther Baron addition, it also oversees four swimmers lights: Pierre Roger, Pierre Henri, Coralie Dobral and Magali Rousseau

ATP - Indian Wells - "Spirit of win

After a month's break, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Photo L'Equipe) has found happiness with short, Saturday in the second round of Indian Wells, beating the Israeli Dudi Sela (6-2, 6-4). The Manceau, who had missed his post-recovery Melbourne in Marseille, says coming up with "a spirit of winning." "I want to eat cake," says the finalist of the Australian Open, which will be opposed to the next round with his compatriot Paul-Henri Mathieu. "Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, what are your feelings after this return winner? Already, I won! That is a good thing. I am happy with me today. I entered the field with a good spirit. The same as in my last competition. A spirit of a winner. With the conditions, you had to be good to win. Dudi (Sela) is capable of everything. So it was not perfect, but given the circumstances, that's fine. Although I feel very strong, I really did not know where I was. What did you do for four weeks? In fact, I led a lot. I did a little preparation similar to that preceding the Australian Open. I have a lot of juice and a lot of envy. I want to eat cake. It feels good to come back. I need the competition. That adrenaline that is good. When you have a ball and you break the wins, it is liberating. Can you tell us about your next match against Paul-Henri Mathieu? This is a big hitter. It lifte and never changes of pace. It's going to be a real duel. Dire though its style is difficult for me. It depends on the day ... You have never met on the ATP circuit. But have you played against him elsewhere or have you brought with him? Not ever! I think we have perhaps trained two or three times together. That's all. But it will be a healthy competition. It is No. 2 french, and I No. 3. We are not far to the ATP rankings (Matt is the 14th, 17th Tsonga), and there is the Davis Cup approaching when there are things to prove. This is the kind of game I love. We are going to break your teeth. What is the goal on this tour? The goal is to try to reach the Top 10 and play the next round of Davis Cup (April 11-13 in the United States). This will be a fantastic meeting hall, with 15,000 people. "

The match of the night

It was time that this road trip to the East ends for San Antonio. After the slap received in New Orleans Wednesday (75-100) and short conceded defeat Friday in Detroit (80-84), the Spurs have indeed fallen for the third time in a row last night at the Wachovia Center in Phildelphie (96 -103). Yet Gregg Popovich could count on Bruce Bowen, returning from suspension, and an inspired Tony Parker. The French, adroit in his shooting (12/16), has indeed finished top scorer for his team with 27 points, 5 assists. But like the previous day in Detroit, the champions title have paid dearly for their match begins missed. Led by five lengths after quarter-time (28-23), who reached the locker room with a disbursement of eight points (53-45) attributable to a large number of lost balls (9 to 1 for the only Sixers in the first period ). In the wake of Andre Miller, author of the best output of the season (32 points on 11/14 shooting, 7 assists) and Andre Iguodola (25 points, 5 rebounds), Philly players not bonded the pressure and had a maximum of 13 point lead in the third quarter-time (79-66, 35th). The efforts of Manu Ginobili (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Tim Duncan (16 points, 6 rebounds) just served to mitigate the defeat because the people of Mauritius Cheeks retained enough scope to finally win (103-96 ), signing their 9th victory in their last 10 meetings at home. Intenable past month and a half (17 wins, 6 losses), Philadelphia, 7th to the east, closer gradually a first qualification play-offs since 2005. The Spurs, they will have to react quickly because at this rate there (3 defeats in a row, 5 in their last 5 trips), they could continue to fall (6es of the Conference West). The Frenchies night: Once again, Tony Parker was the best Blue committed last night. The leader of the Spurs finished top scorer for his team with 27 units on the meter, with a nice percentage of success (12/16 to shoot), plus 5 assists. But it was not enough to San Antonio, beaten for the third time in a row, Philadelphia (103-96). Boris Diaw, he won with Phoenix against Sacramento (127-99) but was fairly discreet (6 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 21 minutes). Mike Piétrus, finally, was highlighted at the Golden State victory over Memphis (110-107). The former Palois aligned in the starting five, played 38 minutes for 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 interceptions. The Perf: The board of the evening is to make the assets of Carlos Boozer facing New Jersey. The highlight of the Jazz ailer equalled his record in career points (41) with an address outstanding in the field (15/19) and shots-francs (11/13). The alumnus of Duke added 9 rebounds and 2 assists in his stats sheet. But this excellent performance this year has been in vain, Utah bowing in New Jersey (117-115) on a shoot decisive Richard Jefferson at the buzzer 1''5

Football

Any profits. Last Italian team qualified Champions League, still in the race in Italy Cup (semi-finals will be competing mid-April), AS Roma has not abandoned all hope to delight the title of champion for so long promised at Inter Milan. And this is not his victory (2-1) face AC Milan on Saturday evening, that will make it less greedy. This success, the third consecutive of the wolf in Serie A, closer to the dolphin three points behind the leader before the match of the face Internazionale in Palermo on Sunday. Everything was decided in the second period. In the absence of Philippe Mexès, spared by Spalletti for the derby against Lazio on Wednesday, another French, Ludovic Giuly (AFP Photo), which has presented the Roma on the right track. The AC Milan had opened the scoring by Kaka (56e). At that time, the Lombards finally took fourth place they seek from their early season in the semi-shade. But Fiorentina, which occupies the seat valuable qualification for the preliminary round of the C1, will play without pressure against Genoa, Sunday. The Roma, Giuly first (78e) and Vucinic (82e), both of which entered into during the game, overthrew the course of the match in less than five minutes. Earlier, in the only other match of the 28th day competed Saturday, Udinese and Lazio Rome have separated back-to-back (2-2). The Romans led twice on the outside before they resume, Antonio Di Natale entering the second goal equalizer in the last five minutes (86th). This is the only consolation for the AC Milan (5th, 46 pts): if not a full, Udinese (6th, 41 pts) remains far.

McDowell: 7 iron to victory

Thanks to an exceptional shot on the third hole play-off, the Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell offered the Ballantines Championship, in the face of Jeev Milkha Singh, and third place in the Order of Merit. Previously, the two men have carried out a heroic struggle, crushing the competition. A titanic struggle and a dramatic denouement! After two rounds of play-off, Graeme McDowell and Jeev Milkha Singh to visit for the third time at the start of hole No. 18, a par 4 of 448 metres. The Indian hit a 3 wood in the middle of the fairway. The Northern Irishman did the same with his driver. Singh played his second shot: the ball rises, bouncing at the beginning of the green, rolled and stopped about two feet of the flag. Ovation public! The Indian No. 1 has been the hardest and puts enormous pressure on the shoulders of his opponent. McDowell takes his 7 iron, address and strikes. The ball very high and the green pitche ... To a small meter barely. The public does not amount is outstanding! It is moving towards a fourth hole in the dam, but the unbelievable happened. The putt Singh happening right! McDowell has just concluded. "It's certainly one of the most beautiful shots I have ever played. Yes, without doubt, he is one of the Top 5 of my best shots," said winner about his iron shot 7. "On his second shot, Jeev gave me the impression of having managed to blow it. On the previous dam, I had to play a shot at the same distance. I had 177 yards (162 meters) the first times and 179 yards (164m) and the second one I knew was perfect 7 iron. This time, I should just be sure to put my ball on the right of the flag and I have to say it was perfect. " With this coup, Graeme McDowell won the third victory of his career on the European circuit, after his titles at the Italian Open in 2002 and the Scandinavian Open in 2004. "It's a great feeling. There have been many changes in recent years. I have a new material, a new contract with Callaway, the new balls, and it's nice to win with early." "The best won" To offer such a spectacle, it takes two great golfers. In a few weeks it would be recalled that the name Northern Ireland, but Jeev Milkha Singh, despite the disappointment, not to be ashamed of its performance. "It was a disappointing final but I enjoyed the week. McDowell has played very well. On the last hole, he hit a superb shot after I myself played a nice shot and I think the best won, "says the Indian, very dignified in defeat. Singh can be consoled by thinking about next week and qualified for the World Championship at Doral, where he finds the greatest players in the world. "It will be great to go there next week and I worked very hard for it this weekend. Graeme I would like to congratulate for the beautiful game and I expect a lot of Doral because I played well. Maybe that something bigger is waiting for me there, "he says. Throughout the week, the two finalists have crushed their competitors. They make a final map of 264, 24 strokes under par. The Irishman Paul McGinley, the third in the overall standings, finished seven shots of the two men! Shingo Katayama is the 4th nine shots. Padraig Harrington has cracked Sunday (74, +2) and ranks 14th. K.J. Choi, No. 5 worldwide, disappointing this week, just before his audience in a modest 24th place, 14 strokes behind the winner. Thomas Levet, the only French rescued after the first two rounds, is the 39th to twenty shots McDowell. With this victory, the latter removes Martin Kaymer the third place in the Order of Merit and enters Top 100 (94e) in the world ranking. "This is a Ryder Cup year so I am extremely pleased to have pocketed a title early in the season" he recalls. What prepare for the future with ambition.

ALMERIA - FC BARCELONA

In eleven days of the end of the championship, the coach of Barça Frank Rijkaard continues to believe in its chances, despite a defeat of the worst effect on the last day, at home against Villareal (2-1). "There are still 33 points at stake Admittedly, the gap (between Real and Barça) increased, but this is not a reason to abandon it. Nothing is decided in March and we must continue to fight" , "he says. The Catalans are moving in Almeria, who knocked off Real Madrid 2-0 in February, and is currently the eighth classification. The second best attack of the championship will it in verve? His top scorer Leo Messi is still injured, and his second fireworks, the French Thierry Henry, said this week he did not have the morale. If Barça attention is naturally turned towards the Real, Rijkaard and his players also would do well to look in the mirror. Villareal, who receives Zaragoza (14e) Sunday, is only 4 points. OTHER MEETINGS While the gap is narrowing between the teams at the foot of the podium who are fighting for places in Europe, Atletico Madrid (4th, 44 points) had an opportunity to take a little air receiving Levante, red lantern. The Racing Santander (5th, 44 points) will be the most complicated part, while visiting Getafe, surprise quarter-finalist in the C3. Three days later, the two teams will meet in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

SAINT-ETIENNE - TOULOUSE: 0-0

This match was under high tension for a team Toulouse relégable prior to the meeting. Prepared "commando order" a week, men Olivier Sadran brought a good point of Cauldron (0-0), while traveling dangerous in terms of statistics. While the situation may not arranges little (19e), the mood seems to be found on the side of High Garonnais. The AS Saint-Etienne (11e) have advanced over the past three matches ... And lost each time to widen the gap with the relegation zone, which is ultimately just five lengths. The Club de la Ville Rose ruled radio silence throughout the week to wash new house and find solutions to its location sport judged "dramatic" by the president Sadran. This camera, decided shortly after the rout face Sochaux at Stadium (1-2), a seemingly brought a new state of mind in the collective Toulouse which marked a precious point in the context of the final sprint to the maintenance. Just the image of the president Sadran, arm in arm with Fodé Mansaré, a club that breathes a little better "provided by shackling a victory at home", as recalled Captain Dominique Arribagé at the end of the meeting. "Points of Hope" As a symbol, Elie Baup started his "Operation Rescue" in Saint-Etienne, a club he knows well for having led in the past. The former resident of Geoffroy-Guichard could not hide his joy at the final whistle of Mr Malige. "We showed we wanted to fight and not to let it go. Spirit is there, it does lack a certain accuracy in the final pass. Taken All points are points of hope. Facing St. Etienne, a formidable team at home, we did not hesitate to go and get them up ", the technician fell High garonnais. This match, disputed in a pouring rain in the first period, would certainly not remain etched in the minds of the 25000 supporters who had taken place in the stands. The balloon, which had nothing to envy a piece of soap, played many rounds with twenty-two players of this meeting. The rare occasions, most often distant gunfire, did little opportunity for the public to ignite. It was necessary to wait until the 13rd minute to see a centre Dernis landed on the head of Gomis. The block Toulouse, wanted and worked by Elie Baup during the past week did little space to local attackers, some set bells ringing in this encounter, like Feindouno and Gomis. Finally, Nicolas Douchez spent an evening rather quiet, except on a personal action of Payet who repiquait in the axis and décochait strike a left flush with the pole of the doorman Toulouse (57e). Proof of their volatility, Stéphanois not trying their luck than twenty-five meters or more (23rd, 43rd, 46th, 55th, 63rd, 78th) without ever cause big problems at the rear of Toulouse. The expulsion of Sall (87e) for a big foul on Illunga, had upset the final rush of premises. The TFC does not benefit but ensured the point of a tie. The main thing is there as recalled by the master Toulouse, Dominique Arribagé. "It has taken a good foundation. There has been a lot of discussion this week to put things in place," he noted. The TFC seems back on the right track, but it will now have to win to improve this result, synonymous with hope. Quite a challenge for a team which has taken just six points out of the eleven matches and whose last best attacker was silent for more than three months. THE DECLA: Elie Baup (coach of Toulouse) "In our situation, make a point with this fighting, the harassment high enough reward the efforts of the players. In terms of points, there is still much to do but this is the point of hope. The hope is always the best when it starts a game. With a little vista in the last pass and lucidity, we might have been able to get more than zero. We were not too upset except in the first quarter of hour of the second period. Championship is very complicated and will be until the end. Nobody wants to go down in Ligue 2. Everybody is trying to do his match. Saint-Etienne could have hurt us early in the second period. For us, the motto is not to let go in an operation about three months and ten matches. "