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MADRID, Spain -- Madrid is celebrating the success of its two major football clubs after Atletico Madrid ensured a historic Champions League final derby against crosstown rival Real Madrid. Nike Roshe Run uk sale cheap . Atleticos 3-1 victory at Chelsea saw it progress to its first European Cup final in 40 years, where record champion Madrid awaits after crushing titleholder Bayern Munich 5-0 over two legs. Atletico is on the verge of an historic double as it closes in on its first Spanish league title in 18 years, while Madrid is chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. The feat is all the more impressive for Atletico, which under coach Diego Simeone has completely turned from a club with a history for underachieving and late collapses into a European heavyweight. "Atletico is a real team," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said after Wednesdays defeat. "It knows how to be strong in defence and when to come out and attack. Its a great team." One year after an all-German Champions League final, the continents top competition has its first ever final between clubs from the same city. "Im happy that its an all-Spanish final," Atletico playmaker Koke said of the May 24 date in Lisbon. "Its going to be a special day, a very nice day because all of Madrid will be in Lisbon." The final will also highlight the teams different philosophies and history. Atleticos blue-collar base is far removed from Reals home in the northwest Chamartin area with its leafy avenues, luxury homes, and expensive cars. Madrid is the record 32-time Spanish champion with nine European Cups, and record revenues that are nearly five times that of Atletico allow it to pay for Ballon dOr recipient Cristiano Ronaldo and world-record 100 million euros signing Gareth Bale. Atleticos payroll is a fraction of Madrids or Barcelonas, and it is a club with a history of dubious finances. Yet Simeone, who was on the team that won the league-cup double in 1996, has nurtured a winning culture from a squad that has changed little since his arrival more than two years ago, and despite the sale of star striker Radamel Falcao in the off-season. "Its crazy to think were in the Champions League final," Atletico midfielder Tiago Mendes said. "But this team deserves it after everything it has accomplished." Madrid and Atletico have met just once before in the competition, in the 1959 semifinals, where Madrid won a replay 2-1 when their two-leg series finished 2-2. Atleticos only final appearance in 1974 saw it succumb to Bayern Munich 4-0 in a replay following a 1-1 draw. While Madrid beat Atletico en route to this seasons domestic cup trophy, Atletico still enjoyed a breakthrough year against its city neighbour, which is returning to the final for the first time since 2002. Atletico beat Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last season for its first win over its city rival in 25 games. It followed that up with a league victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium followed by a draw at home at the Vicente Calderon. Spanish leader Atletico is six points ahead of Madrid, which has one game in hand, with three left to play, while Barcelona trails the Spanish leader by four points. The league has been dominated by Madrid and Barcelona since Valencia was the last club besides the big two to win the championship in 2004. But Atletico could clinch its first title since 1996 with a victory against Levante on Sunday if both Madrid and Barcelona lose their games. The all-Spanish final also proves the domestic league is healthy despite continued economic problems. Either Sevilla or Valencia will also advance to the Europa League final. Even the citys cleanup crews should have an easy time co-ordinating their work following the victors celebrations. Madrid traditionally celebrates its triumphs at Plaza de Cibeles, while Atleticos fans gather just down the street at Plaza de Neptuno. "This is the final all Madridistas have been waiting for," Madrid fan Jose Luis Marron Rodriguez said. "Whatever the result, the European Cup stays at home. Now, let the best team win -- I just hope its Madrid." Nike Roshe Run Mesh . PAUL, Minn. Nike Roshe Run Uk. And former Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson certainly knows his pain. "Its pretty hard to coach there without allowing some of these things to kind of affect you," Wilson told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun in his ESPN.GLASGOW -- Canadas Ryan Bester is confident a Commonwealth Games gold medal is in his future. He will just have to wait a little longer. Bester grabbed an early lead before Scotlands Darren Burnett took over and ran away with the mens singles lawn bowling final 21-9 on Friday. It was a disappointing end to the tournament for Bester, who was looking for Canadas first-ever gold at the Games in lawn bowling -- a sport also commonly referred to as lawn bowls. "I just wasnt good enough and Darren played well," said Bester. "Too many short bowls. Thats what happens but Im still quite happy with silver in Scotland." As he should be. The 29-year-old became the first Canadian to finish second in the event since W.S. MacDonald won silver at the 1934 Commonwealth Games in London. In a sport where many of the competitors are much older, Bester should have plenty more chances to climb atop the podium. "At the end silver is brilliant," said the Hanover, Ont., native. "Canada has never won gold in the lawn bowls, so thats my goal." Bester lives and plays professionally in Australia, and has picked up an accent since moving there following a bronze-medal victory at 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Asked if he thought a gold medal will ever come his way, he simply replied with: "Eventually." "(Silver) is not too bad," he added with a smile. "I still have a few years left to try to win it." Bester led 3-0 after the three ends, but Burnett scored four in the fifth and three more in the sixth to blow the game wide open at 10-3 in front of a partisan crowd at picturesque Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre. A small pocket of Canadian supporters tried to geet behind their man, but Bester couldnt recover as Burnett built an insurmountable lead. Nike Roshe Run Pattern. "I dropped a couple short and then he got a four and a three," said Bester. "Once he got off to a big lead I was a bit chasing, which is pretty hard to do." Bester chipped away to make it 14-9 in the 15th end, but three more from Burnett in the 16th all but sealed it. The two men shook hands afterwards, with the Scottish crowd hailing the police officer who had to lobby for time off from work to be able to compete at the Games. "I came in with confidence knowing that I was going to get a medal," said the 38-year-old Burnett. "To get gold is icing on the cake. "I started most of my games with a dodgy first few ends and I wanted to come in and put Ryan under pressure. I did that and, thankfully, his hitting was slightly off today." In Fridays bronze-medal match, Australias Aron Sherriff defeated New Zealands Shannon McIlroy 21-8. Bester made his debut at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, at the age of 17 back in 2002, and became the first Canadian to win a world title when he took home the pairs crown two years later. Although the sport is popular in many corners of the world, Bester said it would be nice if his performance in Scotland helps get more people in Canada interested. "Hopefully people just go out and give the sport a try," said Bester, whose home club will be the site of lawn bowling when Gold Coast, Australia, hosts next Commonwealth Games in 2018. "Im sure theyll fall in love with it. "Its exactly the same as curling. Everyone loves watching that in Canada. This can be the summer-type of curling."wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
