NEWS » big stars and now [Rask] is hurt and that Russian tea

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Spains return to the stadium where it won the World Cup was spoiled Tuesday as Bernard Parkers second-half goal gave South Africa a shock 1-0 win over the world and European champion. Spain was subdued -- and possibly tired after its friendly in Equatorial Guinea three days ago -- and only really threatened in the dying minutes of the international friendly when substitutes Santi Cazorla and Koke were denied by saves from Itumeleng Khune at FNB Stadium, the venue formerly known as Soccer City and where Spain celebrated its finest football moment three years ago. The World Cup holder started with Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta in midfield and David Villa and Fernando Llorente up front, but South African striker Parker converted one of few clear-cut chances in the game when he collected a neat one-two just to the left of goal and his chip bounced up off goalkeeper Victor Valdes and into the net in the 56th minute. "Im the happiest man in the world. I scored against the world champions," Parker said. The result gave Spain some food for thought just over six months ahead of its World Cup defence in Brazil, and brightened the mood for South Africa, which failed to qualify for the World Cup at its first attempt since hosting the showcase tournament. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was gracious in defeat, warmly congratulating his counterpart Gordon Igesund with a smile and an embrace. As Spains players slipped away, the South Africans made the most of their first ever victory over Spain, celebrating in the dressing room with South African President Jacob Zuma. Zuma hugged and shook hands with Igesund as players recorded the moment on their cellphones. The Spanish squad also brought the World Cup trophy with them, putting it on display on a pedestal on the pitch ahead of kickoff while midfielder Alonso thanked South Africa for the joy the tournament title gave to Spain three years ago. Spain dominated possession in its typically patient and measured style, but couldnt find a decisive cutting edge, while South Africa skipper Khune was in good form in goal. He smothered an early chance for Villa in the 25th minute, while Llorente sent a header wide two minutes later. Del Bosque introduced all six of his substitutes, Victor Valdes, Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas, Juan Mata, Cazorla and Koke, in the second half and it nearly backfired when Valdes went down injured in the last 20 minutes and defender Alvaro Arbeloa had to briefly fill in as goalkeeper. After a few minutes, the host allowed Spain to make an extra change and bring on Pepe Reina. Spains two best chances of forcing a draw came in injury time, first when Khune denied Cazorla and then when the goalkeeper dived across full length to his left to palm away an effort from Koke. Air Force 1 Cheap Wholesale . The three goals bring Messis career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games -- including friendlies -- breaking the club record of 369 held by Paulino Alcantara since 1927. The 26-year-old Messi was already the clubs all-time leading scorer in official games. Messi assured Barcelonas fans they will enjoy his goals for years to come, saying "as long as people want me, I will stay here. Air Force 1 Low Womens Nz . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists. http://www.airforce1salenz.com/air-force-1-lv8-nz.html. The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are giving it a try, too. Air Force 1 Low Sale . Altidore strained his left hamstring in the Americans opener against Ghana on June 16 and didnt play in their next two games. "We dont know how much because we need to see how hes going, but hes available," U. Air Force 1 Low Womens Sale . It was the most lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who apparently are trying to make up for decades of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one season; theyve won the last two meetings by a combined 84 points.Toronto Maple Leafs legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin joined TSN Radio 1050s Jim Tatti and Jeff ONeill on Friday to give his thoughts on the Olympic hockey tournament ahead of Sundays gold medal match-up between his native Sweden and Canada. While there is a lot that Sundin has liked in the tournament so far, the performance that Russia put forth against Finland in the quarterfinals left a bad taste in his mouth. "I was almost disgusted by their performance when they played Finland," said the 43-year-old who played 18 seasons in the NHL. "I look at the Finnish team and theyre missing key players. They dont have any of their big stars and now [Rask] is hurt and that Russian team is stacked with great players and to come out and have that performance they had in the quarterfinals. It was an absolutely heartless performance. "It was very disappointing and I dont think its very good for hockey either to have them out of their home tournament. You wonder when you have Putin in the stands on home ice and you cant get heart out of these guys? Whats going to bring it out? I dont know," he said. Sundin believes simply chalking up Russias crashing out of the tournament to the tremendous pressure the team was under is a bit of a cop-out. "Even though youre nervous or you have a lot of pressure built up, you can always still get into the motions and show that youre actually trying," said the former first-overall pick by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. "We didnt see anything of that in the quarterfinal." The captain of the gold medal-winning Swedish team in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Sundin believes that its impossible to compare trying to capture a Stanley Cup to winning Olympic gold. "You cant even compare it to me," said Sundin. "I mean, the Stanley Cup is the biggest thing you can win playing for a club team in the world. Its over a [full] season and you try to get that, but saying that, international hockey and the Olympic Games go to a little bit of a higher level. You have all the absolute best players in the world competing. Its a short tournament, but its the absolute best, biggest thing you can win as a hockey player today where you face every countrys best players on the ice. And also, for any athlete, women or men, winning an Olympic medal is a little bit beyond just the sport of hockey, as well. You cant compare them, but obviously, you want to be part of both for sure." Sundin thinks that an unfamiliarity with the larger ice surface is one of the main reasons why Canadas offence has yet to really click in Sochi, despite the team being undefeated.dddddddddddd "The last time the Olympics were around, the tournament was held on a smaller ice surface, an edge to the North American teams, no doubt," said Sundin. "The US and Canada were more comfortable. You look at the tournament right now, you can tell [Canada] is not as comfortable on the big ice surface...with the bigger ice surface, it becomes a little bit of a different game." The all-time Leafs leader in points acknowledges that an adjustment needs to be made for North American teams playing on the big international ice. "Just one big difference is when you come into an end, whether its your own end or youre in the offensive zone, youre further away from your opponent," explained the nine-time NHL All-Star. "Theres a little bit more room for a forward to slip away or get out of the way, out of position, so when that happens, and I think a North American feels that, you get a little more tentative and if youre tentative in hockey or you wait a little bit, then youre a step behind. I think thats the biggest thing." With NHL participation up in the air for the 2018 Olympic Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sundin believes it would be a mistake for the league to stop sending its best to the tournament as its a perfect opportunity to put a spotlight on the sport. "For me, its a no-brainer," said Sundin. "I think youve got to look at the broader picture. For the game of hockey, and if you want the game to continue to grow, theres no better window than the Olympic Games, where you can get new fans watching our great game, people from different parts of the world. I dont really see a reason why not. I know it affects the game short term. Some guys get hurt (and) when they get back they might not perform as well. But if you look at a long term picture, I think its just too big of a window to promote our sport to not be part of it." As for Sundays clash between his home country and the country he spent 18 years playing in, Sundin gives the edge to Canada. "Theres no doubt that the Swedish team...are not where you would think to call them a gold medal favourite at this point [without] Henrik Sedin and Henrik Zetterberg, two of the best centremen we have playing right now," said Sundin. "For them to get to the finals here, to get by Finland...Ill hold Canada as the favourites to win the gold medal, but if you have [Henrik] Lundqvist playing an enormous game in the final, theres a shot. But its a long shot for sure." ' ' '