So, tomorrow is the big day for every (handball fan) Norwegian; the semi-final in the 2009 World Women's Handball Championship between Norway and Russia. Normally I support Russia, but as Norway is playing it's obvious who I cheer for. Evgeny Trefilov's girls have won 4 games and lost 1 (making them 2nd in group A); Norway have won 4 games and lost 1 (making them 1st in group B). The game will be played in Nanjing at 21:15 (and I guess that's the Chinese time, cuz here in Norway they're playing 14:15).
The other semi final is between Spain (group B runner-ups) and France (group A winners). They are playing at 18:30 (in Norwegian time I think that's 11:30). Donnu which team to cheer for. Norway always seems to be having trouble with Spain, but then again, we smashed them in the Olympic Final. But then AGAIN Spain is so much better now. However, France have been playing really well lately now, and they beat Russia....




PS: Norway have won the European Championship four times (1998, 2004, 2006, 2008), the World Championship one time (1999) and the Olympic Games one time (2008).

Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak (Man United)
Defenders A. Cole (Chelsea), Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Emmerson Boyce (Wigan)
Midfielders Damien Duff (Fulham), Ryan Giggs (Man United), Jack Collison (West Ham), Chris Eagles (Burnley)
Strikers Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Wayne Rooney (Man United)

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomez (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Defenders Ryan Nelson (Blackburn), Carlos Cuèllar (Aston Villa), John Terry (Chelsea)
Midfielders Seyi Olofinjaja (Hull City), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrej Arshavin (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Strikers Steven Fletcher (Burnley), Jason Roberts (Blackburn), John Carew (Aston Villa)

 

( well this wasnt supposed to happen... )</div>

At the worst, Rafa Benitez may have to face Lyon without twelve first-team players in France.

Steven Gerrard (groin), Albert Riera (hamstring), Martin Kelly (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (muscle) are all definitely out against Lyon. Nabil El Zhar is also ruled out.

"Gerrard won't travel to Lyon. He has no chance," says lfc.tv

Benitez said: "Agger is improving - he will travel and we will then decide. He felt something in his back but it's much better now. We have to wait and see how he reacts.
 
"Fabio is improving but he still has a small problem in his calf, so we will have to wait.
 
"Ngog is much better, so he could be available.
 
"Johnson is training and working with the physios but he is a doubt at this moment. He will travel to Lyon and we will see."

The Times says that Diego Cavalieri and Alberto Aquilani wasnt in squad against Fulham because of the flu. Philipp Degen is not in Liverpool's CL-squad.

- If Fernando had played the whole Fulham game, the damage could have grown worse. That would have been bad, Jamie Carragher told The Times.

- We dont want to lose a player like Fernando for a whole month, says Benitez.

Perhaps this will cheer you up a bit...

Pepe: I'm staying to build something special


Benitez revealed in an interview with Liverpoolfc.tv on Friday that Reina could soon be rewarded with a new deal.
 
After almost five years at Anfield, the Spain international is as happy as ever - and he is adamant the boss is building something special despite mixed results this season.
 
"My aim is to get a new contract in the future and I want to be here for many years. Apparently the club wants the same," Reina told Liverpoolfc.tv.

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Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen (Stoke City)
Defenders Gary Cahill (Bolton), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Midfielders Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton), Frank Lamphard (Chelsea), James McFadden (Birmingham), Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Strikers Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan), Drogba (Chelsea)

Goalkeeper Gomez (Tottenham)
Defenders Pascal Chimbonda (Blackburn), James Collins (Aston Villa), Ledley King (Tottenham), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke)
Midfielders Antonio Valencia (Man U), David Dunn (Blackburn), Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Everton)
Strikers Darren Bent (Sunderland) aka Beach Ball, Robin van Persie (Arsenal), James Beattie (Stoke City)