The race started and Rubens Barrichello looked to have ruined the race for Webber. He snuck past him, along the way Webber drifted right and there was contact. The incident was later investigated by the race stewards and they ruled Webber was at fault. The Australian driver was given a drive through penalty. Race over?

Webber took his penalty at the same time as his main rival pitted. Afterwards he actually came out in a pretty competitive position. The dream was still alive. It was not so for Lewis Hamilton. He had an amazing start. The KERS shot him down the straight like a bullet but he could not keep in control. Was it speed, or slight contact with Webber? Whatever the case he ran wide and ended up with a puncture and was soon at the back of the field.

Meanwhile up the front of the race Barrichello was being slowed down by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. This put the race back in the hands of Webber. He would not let this opportunity slip and as time passed it looked as though there was no stopping him.

Barrichello in the end was not able to do any better than sixth position. He said it was his team that cost him victory. “I’m terribly upset with the way things went. I did all I had to do. I went first on the first corner and then they made me lose the race. If it is really what’s going on, we’re going to end up losing both championships.” he said. Button ended the race in fifth.

So there it was Mark Webber took the checkered flag. He was the first aussie to win since Alan Jones back in 1981. He crossed the line ahead of his teammate Sebastian Vettel and there was no holding back his emotion. It was deserved win and great to see Webber standing on the top of the podium as Advance Australia fair was belted out across the German F1.

The championship is now wide open with Webber and Vettel making Button think twice about his prospects.

Now the question remains, can he convert the pole position into a race win? If so it would be his first F1 win. Last race we saw his Red Bull Racing teammate do just that. It was however not the first time Vettel started from pole. Vettel has started from pole three times for two wins. He messed up in Turkey afte making an error early in the race to allow Jenson Button to pass.

Button has converted four from four pole positions into wins during the F1 season in 2009. Looking at the numbers you would have to give Webber a good chance of collecting the win. The start will be crucial. He won’t want to mess this up or his win could slip from his grasp before the first lap is over.

Joining Webber on the front row of the grid at the German grand prix will be Rubens Barrichello. Next will be Jenson Button and then Vettel in P4. In good news for McLaren Lewis Hamilton was challenging for the pole position. At the end of the day he qualified in P5 with teammate Heikki Kovalainen alongside hime in P6.

I can’t wait to watch the race which I will take in live on HD for the first time thanks to the recent launch of One HD in my hometown here in Australia.

Who is your pick to win the Formula One grand prix of Germany?

In the second day Armstrong just went along with the bunch and maintained 10th position. Stage three is where things have become interesting. With around 30km left in the stage the Columbia team decided to chase down a small breakaway. Much to everyone’s surprise when they did this the peloton was left behind.

A group of 29 riders ended up ahead of the rest with a nice gap back to the peleton. The group consisted of the entire Columbia team and more importantly, Lance Armstrong. As the stage unfolded it was Stage 2 winner Mark Cavendish who took the stage victory. He has to be the hottest sprinter around at the moment.

With Armstrong part of the winning group he now finds himself in third spot overall. He is still 40 seconds behind Cancellara who holds the Yellow jersey.

Many of the big names were caught out in the windy conditions that meant working together to chase down the breakaway. It has been said that 2007 winner Alberto Contador allowed the break to happen. According to French rider Christophe Le Mevel it was Contador who failed to stick with the wheel ahead of him and that created the gap.

Now with Armstrong sitting in third position the question has to be asked, Can Armstrong Win? The man himself is not ruling himself out. He won the tour seven times in the past and despite having a disrupted return to cycling he has experience on his side.

The tour continues with stage 4 on Tuesday. This stage is a team time trial and is to be held in Montpellier. The team time trial was dropped from the race after 2005 but obviously makes a return in 2009.

1. Kurt Gidley (c) (Knights) - 1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels) - 2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings (Panthers) - 3. Michael Jennings
4. Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles) - 4. Matt Cooper
5. David Williams (Sea Eagles) - 5. Joel Monaghan
6. Trent Barrett (Sharks) - 6. Jamie Soward
7. Brett Kimmorley (Bulldogs) - 7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Josh Perry (Sea Eagles) - 8. Brent Kite
9. Michael Ennis (Bulldogs) - 9. Michael Ennis
10. Justin Poore (Dragons) - 10. Justin Poore
11. Ben Creagh (Dragons) - 11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Trent Waterhouse (Panthers) - 12. Ben Creagh
13. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles) - 13. Anthony Watmough

Interchange
14. Craig Wing (Rabbitohs)
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders)
16. Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
17. Brett White (Storm)

It is looking like they are trying to avoid a whitewash as they have picked some old hands in Kimmorley and Barrett in the halves.

On the NRL website the fans were asked to vote for their team to take on Queensland in game three. I have included the fans choice team alongside the actual team. The players as selected by the fans when different from the actual selections are in italics.

Do you think the selectors have got it right? Love to see your comments.

Steve McNair, former NFL player - photo from Wikipedia, taken by Keith Allison.

Steve McNair who had a 13 year NFL career as a quarterback with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens was found dead on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., according to Nashville police.

McNair was a three-time Pro Bowler and was the NFL MVP in 2003. He retired in 2007.

The former NFL star was found in an apartment with multiple gun shot wounds.  A woman was also found deceased. She has been identified as Sahel Kazemi, a “friend” of McNair’s. A pistol was found near her body. According to police Kazemi had a single gunshot wound to the head.

In 2000 McNair led the Titans to the Super Bowl before going down to the St. Louis Rams.

McNair was married and leaves four children. It has been report that Kazemi was McNair’s girlfriend.

Police have ruled McNair’s death as a homicide, the case is still under investigation and the police have not ruled on Kazemi’s death.

Titans owner Bud Adams said the following in a statement he released regarding McNair, “We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s [death] today. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing.

In a statement to the AP, Ozzie Newsome, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, stated:
“This is so, so sad. We immediately think of his family, his boys. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. What we admired most about Steve when we played against him was his competitive spirit, and we were lucky enough to have that with us for two years. He is one of the best players in the NFL over the last 20 years…”

Leave your comments about Steve McNair below.

In the first set it was Roger Federer that had four break points however he was not able to convert on any. On the other hand Andy Roddick had just one. His came at the end of the first set and he converted it to take the first set 7-5.

In past finals at Wimbledon between these two players Federer seemed to easily read the Roddick first serve. Come to 2009 and this ability seems to have gone. With his huge first serve Roddick was able to stay in control when serving.

The second set was another tight affair and the players found themselves in a tie-break. Federer seemed to be allowing self-doubt take control and before we knew it Roddick was out to a 6-2 lead. A brilliant half volley from the Swiss master saw him edge back to 6-3. A big first serve from Federer made it 6-4, then a Federer ace got it back to 6-5 with Roddick stepping up to serve two.

Roddick missed the first serve but came in after a short return by Federer. Roddick was at the net in good position but could not handle a head high backhand volley that he sent sailing wide and long. Roddick had lost four straight points to find himself at 6-6. Just when Roddick needed a big first serve he failed. Federer was able to setup a point and a dipping shot as Roddick charged the net was too hot to handle. Set point Federer. After a couple of shots Roddick hit long and Federer had escaped to level the set at one set each.

After Roddick could not close out the tie-break from 6-2 it remained to be seen how this would affect his confidence. Roddick needed to leave the court to take a comfort stop. On his return he went to the wrong end. This showed his mind was clearly not on the job.

Federer kept the pressure on Roddick by taking the opening game of the third set, games then went with serve until just like in the second set there was a tie-break. Federer took the first point on serve. The first mini break came on Roddick’s second of his two serves to give Federer a 2-1 lead. A great forehand pass from Federer took him out to 3-1. Then a high kicking serve could not be returned by Roddick. Federer was up 4-1.

The pressure was all on Roddick as he fought to stop Federer running away with the match. Another error saw Federer go up 5-1. Finally some good shots were strung together by Roddick to make it 2-5. A nice return from Roddick set him up for another point which he won with a cross court winner. Unfortunately Federer played Roddick out of position to bring up a set point. Roddick saved the first, then the second. It was 6-5 with Federer serving. A huge serve out wide forced Roddick to return a high floater that Federer came in to the net to hit away for the winner and with it the third set.

In the fourth set Roddick was serving first. He took an early lead and then was able to break at 2-1 to go out to a 3-1 lead. He showed plenty of emotion after he saw his rocket like pass missed by Federer. Roddick was back in business. Roddick managed to hold all his games to take the match to a five set classic.

In the fifth set Federer had the advantage of serving first. He won the opening game of the final set. Federer had it all to play for. He was expected to win to take his tally of grand slam single titles out to 15. This would have him lay claim to the title of greatest tennis player of all time. Roddick on the other hand was just happy to be in a grand slam final again.

Federer had a break point in the next game, but like on all of his previous five break opportunities he failed to convert. Games went with serve and at 8-8 Roddick found himself with two break points. Two big serves from Federer saw him fight his way out of that situation to stay on serve at 9-8.

The play just kept on getting the business done and we saw the match at 12-12. Who was going to crack first? Roddick was playing his third consecutive five set match.

Federer served three aces to take the match to 13-12. Something to not was that Federer was out acing Roddick. Fed was in the high forties by now. He ended on 50 for the match.

At 15-14 up Federer got the first point of the game after Roddick hit into the net. A big mishit that Roddick sent way long gave Federer a sniff as he went up 0-30. A big serve down the T got it back to 15-30. More big serves saw Roddick go to 40-30 but a poor shot sent well wide by Roddick made it deuce. Roddick was not getting down to his shots and was now clearly struggling as another unforced error made it deuce again.

A mis-hit return from Federer brought Roddick to the net. He had a fairly easy shot to hit but once again mis-hit to bring up championship point. Yet another Roddick mis-hit sent the ball sail long and saw Federer jumping for joy as he knew the title was his.

With Wimbledon greats such as Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and Pete Sampras watching from court side Federer celebrated. The final score in the 2009 Men’s Wimbledon final was 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14. The final set lasted 95 minutes and the entire match went for four hours and 18 minutes.

You had to feel sorry for Roddick. He was not broken in the match until he ran out of puff in the 30th game of the fifth set. A great match which was fitting for such an occasion. The key moment will go down as the second set tie-break at 6-2 for Roddick when Federer hit a great backhand half volley to save the set.

Federer now stands alone with 15 grand slam singles titles.

Do you think Federer is the greatest player of all-time. Leave your comments below.

Before the first ball was hit many expected Venus to add to her five Wimbledon singles titles. Serena on the other hand thought it was her turn to win and add to her two Wimbledon singles titles.

After the first set it was anyone’s title for the taking. The two girls were slugging it out with some great rallies. After both players failed to break the other it was decided in a tie break. Serena edged ahead taking the breaker 7-3.

In the second set it was tight for the first couple of games before the relentless pressure being applied to Venus became too much. As she had cruised into the final she was not as match tough as Serena and the younger Williams sister ran away with the match.

The title was Serena’s after a 7-6, 6-2 victory. It moved Serena to 11-10 in the sister’s head-to-head record and was also the 11th grand slam singles title for her.

In the top half of the draw it was Dinara Safina who struggled the most as she defeated German Sabine Lisicki 6-7, 6-4, 6-1. Safina gave her opponent the first set with a double-fault. Lisicki then missed her chance to break back in the second set to level at 5-5. Safina was too strong for her 19-year-old opponent in the crucial third set and will now play Venus Williams.

Venus easily got past Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-2. In the first set she barely lost a point on serve to take control of the match. Despite playing with a heavily bandaged leg. On that form it is hard to see her losing to the current world no. 1.

In the bottom half of the draw both Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva had easy wins. Serena knocked out Victoria Azarenka with a 6-2, 6-3 win. Dementieva accounted for Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-2. This semi is likely to offer more of a contest than the Safina/V. Williams matchup.

This took place a bit after 5.15pm on Monday 29 June after the players returned from a short break. It did not matter that the outside courts were able to be used after the rain stopped. They wanted a match to be played under the roof. As it turned out the match continued under the roof and Safina went on to rack up a win over Mauresmo. The final score was 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Next to play on centre court were Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka. Murray of course is playing with the added pressure of being the great British hope. No male Brit has won Wimbledon since Fred Perry way back in 1936.

Murray did not start well and soon found himself down 0-4 and ended up losing the first set 6-2. Things turned around in the second set and Murray leveled the match with a 6-3 second set win. With so many watching around Britain Murray consolidated with a 6-3 third set. Under lights with the roof closed Murray would go on to record a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory.

With the match being played under lights and with the roof closed it goes does as another moment in history. For the record it ended at 10.38 pm, the latest end to a match at Wimbledon.

In other matches on Monday Lleyton Hewitt pulled off another fighting win when he beat Radek Stepanek 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. In the first two sets Hewitt looked ordinary. He received treatment for a leg strain and after that he seemed to be a changed man, especially after a short rain delay when he had further treatment. It was the Lleyton of old that won the last three sets to setup a matchup with Andy Roddick. The big serving American defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets.

Juan Carlos Ferrero continued to make the most of his wildcard as he defeated Gilles Simon. Ivo Karlovic defeated Fernando Verdasco.

Tuesday at Wimbledon is ladies quarterfinals day.

In the tenth minute the USA took the lead after a pass into Clint Dempsey was hit first time to beat the Brazilian keeper.This came from the first attacking move from the underdogs.

Amazingly it was the USA who was next to score. A counter attack expected more from Brazil saw Landon Donovan score in the 27th minute. It was a beautiful goal which came from three passes after a poor pass from Brazil at the top of the penalty box. The final play saw Donovan touch the ball with his right foot to get around a defender before shooting with his left into the bottom right corner of the Brazil goal.

The question was now is 2-0 enough to win the match and shock the world yet again? Brazil had plenty of chances but could not beat the USA in the first half.

Brazil hit back just after the start of the second half when Luis Fabiano scored a great goal inside the first minute when he turned at the top of the penalty box to score. The comeback was complete after Kaka made a run down the left to send in a cross that was headed against the crossbar, it was Fabiano again who was on hand to head in the rebound in the 74th minute.

The dream was over for the USA when in the 84th min Lucio scored a headed goal from a corner kick. The USA coach was nearly in tears when that one went in. The final score was to be 3-2.

A brave USA could not find another goal and the five time world champions were once again crowned Confederations Cup champions. It was a great match to give soccer fans a taste of what is to come at the FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010. All credit to the USA who made this a great final.