Kritik und Lob » He pitched great.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- If last years European Championship was the moment Mario Balotelli revealed himself to a global audience, this years Confederations Cup is shaping up as confirmation that he is a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. And if Italy appeared hesitant at times to heap too much pressure on Balotelli in Poland and Ukraine, thats no longer an issue. When Balotelli scored the winning goal in Sundays 2-1 win over Mexico, it didnt come as a surprise. He was a force to be reckoned with throughout the game at the Maracana Stadium. According to Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, the difference for Balotelli is that he has gained more confidence by playing regularly for AC Milan since his January transfer from Manchester City. After 2 1/2 years of often being relegated to the substitutes bench in England, Balotelli returned to Italy at the start of this year and scored 12 goals in just 13 appearances for Milan. "Talent-wise, hes the same as a year ago, because Balotelli will always be extraordinary in the way he plays football, but now hes also found continuity with his club, which is something he didnt have before," Buffon said Monday. "That gives him serenity and extra self-confidence. "Its a huge advantage to have a player like him," added Buffon, the senior member of the Azzurri at 35 and one of the few remnants from the squad that won the 2006 World Cup. Italy was still well stocked with members of the 2006 squad at the 2009 Confederations Cup and it also opened that tournament with a win, beating the United States 3-1. But then the Azzurri lost to Egypt 1-0 and were humiliated 3-0 by Brazil, resulting in an embarrassing first-round elimination for the World Cup holders at the time. The following year, Italy was again eliminated after the first round of the World Cup in South Africa. "Theres a substantial difference between now and 2009," Buffon said. "Over these last three years weve really matured in all aspects. This is a national team on the way up, and were hoping to keep moving forward." Balotelli tied as top scorer for the tournament with three goals when Italy reached the final of Euro 2012, including two spectacular goals in the 2-1 semifinal win over Germany, and he sees no reason why the Azzurri cant go just as far here. "Were here to do the best possible, to reach the final," Balotelli said. "And I think this squad has the quality to get there." Quality was certainly evident in the decisive goal for the first official match at the renovated Maracana stadium. It was a goal that combined beauty and brute strength. It started with a long vertical pass from Daniele De Rossi. With his back to the goal, Emanuele Giaccherini then volleyed the ball on to Balotelli with an acrobatic manoeuvr and Balotelli did the rest, out-muscling defenders on both sides of him and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper as he slid along the pitch. The only negative aspect of the goal came when Balotelli pulled off his shirt, earning a yellow card. If Balotelli picks up another yellow in Italys next match against Japan on Wednesday in Recife, hell miss the Group A finale against host Brazil. The yellow card, however, was likely the last thing on De Rossis mind when he jumped on top of Balotellis naked shoulders to join in the celebration. The image of Balotelli carrying a teammate on his back was more than appropriate. Balotelli, a son of Ghanian immigrants, a player who has to deal with racist chants almost every match, is Italys new leader. Air Force 1 High Store .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Air Force 1 Grey Fake .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. http://www.airforce1storesale.com/fake-air-force-1-yellow-outlet.html . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Air Force 1 Yellow On Sale . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. Air Force 1 Clearance . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. MILWAUKEE -- With a short turnaround after an extra-inning game, the Chicago Cubs needed major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks to provide a strong start Monday afternoon.Hendricks delivered six strong innings and the Cubs broke away late to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2.After like really awkward games, he has really picked us up, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Thats just who he is. He normally gets you deeply into the game.Thats who he is, man. You pretty much have an idea what youre going to get when he goes out there, he said.Pinch hitter Chris Coghlan came through with a go-ahead single in a two-run seventh. He stayed in the game and got a two-run single in a four-run eighth for the NL Central leaders.Hendricks (14-7) gave up one run -- on Chris Carters 33rd homer -- and five hits in six innings, and left with a 2.07 ERA. He is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA over his last seven starts.The right-hander has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last 19 starts, which is the longest streak by any pitcher in the majors this season.After that at-bat (Carter home run), I did a much better job kind of pitching inside, just to give myself some more room glove-side, Hendricks said.It was 1-all in the seventh when Zach Davies (10-7) retired the first two batters. Montero then doubled and scored on the single by Coghlan, who took second on the throw.Tommy La Stella followed with an infield single that second baseman Scooter Gennett misplayed into the outfield, allowing Coghlan to score.If we dont do it right out of the gate, then our belief is always that well do it before its over, Coghlan said. I dont think we ever lose that. And thats why were so confident. And thats why its tough to shut us out and to keep us down.Davies allowed two earned runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings.Chicaago tied the game in the sixth on a two-out, broken-bat single by Jorge Soler.ddddddddddddEvery run they scored, even the base hits he gave up, that was soft contact, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. Some jam shots. If anything, they get rewarded for contact today. It wasnt hard contact, it was just contact and they got rewarded for that. He pitched great.Jason Heyward and Javier Baez drove in runs in the eighth off Ben Rowen before Coghlan capped the inning with his hit against Rob Scahill.Ryan Braun hit his 25th homer in the Milwaukee ninth.STREAK OVERKris Bryant went 0 for 5, ending his streak of consecutive games reaching base at a career-best 21. It was the second-longest run by a Cubs player this season. Anthony Rizzo reached in 26 straight games over parts of April and May.TRADE COMPLETEThe Brewers acquired minor league outfielder Ryan Cordell from Texas on Sunday as the player to be named in the trade that sent Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress to the Rangers on Aug. 1.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: RHP Hector Rondon is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, according to Maddon. Rondon has been out since Aug. 17 with a right triceps strain.Brewers: SS Jonathan Villar returned to the lineup Sunday after not starting Milwaukees past two games with a sore left knee.UP NEXTCubs: RHP Jason Hammel (14-7, 3.14 ERA) will start the second game of the series in Milwaukee. He is 10-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 14 career starts against the Brewers.Brewers: RHP Wily Peralta (5-9, 5.53) will make his 19th start of the season Tuesday. He is coming off his best outing of the year in which he allowed one run and struck out 10 on Aug. 30 against St. Louis. ' ' '