Cristiano Ronaldo in Bali for Mangrove project

Real Madrid’s soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (right) poses with Martunis in Bali on Wednesday. (JP/Anggara Mahendra)

This is the Acehnese boy, a survivor of the 2004 Aceh tsunami, now 15, who was dragged out to sea and swept into a mangrove swamp. Wearing a red and green Portuguese soccer jersey with Ronaldo’s name on it, Martunis survived on puddle water and dried noodles and was rescued 19 days later and reunited with his father and grandfather.

His story attracted European media attention. In 2008, Ronaldo visited him in Aceh and financed his education.

It was a sweet and unexpected reunion between world soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and Martunis on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, nicknamed CR7, came to the resort island as an ambassador for the Mangrove Care Forum Bali. He joined in with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to plant mangroves at Telaga Waja, Benoa Bay. The area is part of the 1,373-hectare Ngurah Rai People’s Forest Park, the largest mangrove forest in Bali and an area that suffers from severe pollution, deforestation and littering.

The forum is expected to involve local communities in the clean up and creation of a safe environment for plants and marine life.

Ronaldo said: “I’m not paid [for being an ambassador]. I am doing this because I like to help the people, the children, the Earth and I think it’s great.”

Sweet!


Source: TheJakartaPost..Mangrove project reconnects Ronaldo and tsunami survivor

Mario Balotelli to take paternity test

One can't help reading about Mario Balotelli when he appears in the papers. His antics sometimes boggle the mind, to say the least. But this time, it's praise-worthy and responsible of him.

Manchester City and Italy football star, Mario Balotelli, told Italian press Wednesday that he will take a paternity test after he found out that his former fiancee is pregnant with his child.

Advancement in medical science has enabled a pregnant dna test to be risk-free and accurate. It is also non-invasive and is safe for both mother and baby.

21-year-old Balotelli in a statement said that he will assume full responsibility once it's been proven that he is the father of the child. He's disappointed that he had to learn about the pregnancy from third parties.

Raffaella Fico is a 24-year-old television celebrity and underwear model. She is four months pregnant.

The couple’s 18-month relationship ended in April.


Source: The Star

Will it be England or Italy in the UEFA Euro 2012 semifinals

Three teams out, one to go. Tonight's or rather tomorrow's match Malaysia time, between England and Italy will determine who will be playing Germany in the semifinals. This match will be played on June 29 morning (2:45am Malaysia time).

With Spain's win over France (2-0) this morning, Spain will be up against Portugal in the other semifinal.




My prediction of Germany and Spain in the finals is still good.


Image sources:
- uefa.com
- Google search

UEFA Euro 2012 Quarterfinals

The football saga continues, the UEFA Euro 2012, that is. After weeks of the group stage, we now come to the last eight teams, the Quarterfinals. Did you get your guesses right as to which country team would come through?

Below is the schedule for the Quarterfinals. Click on image to enlarge.
Source: uefa.com

Which team are you rooting for? What's your guess for the two finalists? Me? I'm behind England but I think the finalists will boil down to Germany and Spain with Spain winning the title. Your thoughts?

Football violence in Port Said, Egypt

More violence in the world.. and from a sporting event! Sad.

Egyptian soccer fans stampede after game

Source: The Star/REUTERS/Stringer

The image shows a soccer fan fleeing from a fire at Cairo stadium yesterday, February, 1, 2012, after violence broke out when home team fans rushed to the field celebrating the home team's unexpected victory against Al-Ahly, Egypt’s top team. 70 people have been reported dead with 1,000 injured. This happened in a Mediterranean port city, Port Said.

According to a health ministry official who told state TV, most of the deaths were caused by concussions, deep cuts to the heads and suffocation from the stampede.

This is the worst incident of soccer violence in Egypt and the deadliest worldwide since 1996 in which at least 78 people died and 180 others injured in a stampede at a stadium in Guatemala City before a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Barclays Premier League Table - Current standings

Some Barclay's English Premier League (EPL) soccer update:

Games played yesterday included Queens Park Rangers vs Manchester United with a scoreline of 0-2. Camera zoomed in on owner, Tony Fernandes, during the game - saw him on Astro - who didn't look too happy which was expected with his team trailing MU.

United was back on top of the table after beating QPR but that was for just a few hours before Man City got its top placing back with a win 1-0 over Arsenal.

Other games played:

- Aston Villa 0 - 2 Liverpool
- Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Sunderland
- Manchester C. 1 - 0 Arsenal

After 16 games, Manchester City, with 41 points, is still top of the table as you can see from the current standings below. Man Utd is at second, two points behind, while Tottenham Hotspurs at third with 34 points and one game in hand.

Click on table to enlarge print. If bigger print is desired, you can click on the source at Barclays Premier League Table

Image sources:
- The Star
- Premierleague

EPL comes to KL

I miss soccer, watching the game, I mean. Can't wait for EPL (English Premier League) to start its season again in August. I enjoy watching bowling too though these days, it's difficult to catch a game on the telly. I watch wrestling as well, in fleeting moments if you can call that watching. The game is stomach-churning for me, to say the least.

By the way, Arsenal team arrives today in Malaysia to kick-start a 10-day tour by English Premier League teams including Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal, whose last visit to Malaysia was almost 12 years, will be playing the national team at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.

While Liverpool, making their maiden visit to our country, meet the national team on Saturday. Chelsea then take on a Malaysian selection at the same venue on July 21.

Got your tickets yet?

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United

Soccer is a popular sport all over the world. The English Premier League plays a big part contributing to its popularity. Shops selling the EPL club attires and accessories are doing a roaring business with a broad fan-base here. I see a lot of fans of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool donning their jerseys.

If you are a soccer fan, a supporter of Manchester United and a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, I found this website that will interest you. It is a Cristiano Ronaldo fansite. Know all you want to know about this young talented Portugese soccer star who is currently playing for Manchester United. Watch videos and get latest news and regular updates on him plus links to other resources.