doubles to the Olympic program in time f
Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 9:58 pmMADRID - After two defeats since Luis Suarez came into the team, Barcelona seeks to recover Wednesday when the Uruguayan striker returns to Amsterdam to face former club Ajax in a Group F fixture in the Champions League.Barcelona was beaten 3-1 at Real Madrid and then relinquished the leadership of La Liga on Sunday after a home defeat by Celta Vigo.Coach Luis Enriques squad needs to fix defence frailties and a misfiring attack to avoid a third loss since the usually prolific Suarez returned to action after suspension.In a clash of two four-time European champions, Ajax will hope to repeat its Champions League victory last season.Here are some things to know about Wednesdays games:___HAPPY MEMORIESSuarez will be playing his first Champions League game for Barcelona following suspension for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.Suarez played for Ajax from 2007 to 2011. He was club captain and player of the year.Last year, Ajax beat Barcelona 2-1 thanks to a dazzling first-half attacking display and then determined defending when Joel Veltman was sent off.Maybe we should watch the videos of last year, said midfielder Lasse Schone.Veltman said: Im looking forward to the match. Its a great challenge to take on such amazing players.After losing 3-1 two weeks ago in Barcelona, Veltman believes Ajax must be bold.We have to be daring, he said.Barcelona is second in Group F, a point behind Paris Saint-Germain. Ajax, with two draws and a defeat so far, is third, one point ahead of Apoel Nicosia.Ajax goes into the match after a 4-0 rout of Urk in the Dutch Cup, but will be without midfielder Thulani Sereno and forward Viktor Fischer.___TEETHING TROUBLESSuarez struggled to integrate into the Barcelona team against Real Madrid.I felt tactically lost and disorganized at the Bernabeu, he said. I couldnt co-ordinate things well.He shot wide, was involved in a mix-up in the area and looked unable to sprint clear of opponents.He said the team had trained to improve things and he was slowly feeling more used to the formation.He added that he felt close to fellow Latin Americans Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.There are many cultural similarities between Argentina and Uruguay. Its not because its Leo, but because hes South American and we get together a lot.___PSG WITHOUT IBRAHIMOVICA win against APOEL should see PSG fans celebrate their clubs qualification for the knockout phase if Barcelona beats Ajax.Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the match because a left heel injury that is taking longer to heal than expected. The 33-year-old striker has not played since Sept. 21.PSG coach Laurent Blanc said the Sweden international could be back for the match against bitter rival Marseille on Sunday.He is feeling much better, but he is not yet able to train with the rest, Blanc said. Hes not in pain anymore and thats a good sign.Ibrahimovics injury has had less impact than expected as the Parisian club remains unbeaten this season in all competitions.___AWAY DOUBTSAPOEL travels to Paris after a convincing 4-0 away win at Ethnikos extended its unbeaten run to eight league games.APOEL remains top of Cyprus league with 22 points, four ahead of second-place Apollon Limassol.The Cypriot champion has scored 15 goals and conceded two in eight games.APOEL lost at home to PSG last month, going down 1-0 thanks to Edinson Cavanis late winner.The Cypriot champion lost on both previous visits to France.In nine Champions League away games, APOEL has drawn five and lost four. APOEL coach Giorgos Donis says his team must remain focused, serious and disciplined, as well as assertive.Cypriot midfielder Nektarios Alexandrou said: Its going to be a much more difficult match. Were playing one of the best teams in the world.Experienced defender John Arne Riise is injured.___UNfavourABLE STATSBarcelonas trip to the Netherlands is preceded by unfavourable statistics.It has won only two of seven matches there against Dutch opponents, losing two.The task is made tougher by the absence of injured playmaker Andres Iniesta and defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu.Barcelona has won only two of its last nine European away matches, losing five.___AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin in Paris and Associated Press writers Michael Corder in Amsterdam and Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, contributed to this report. Tony Gonzalez Jersey . Patrik Bartosak turned away 50-of-52 shots for the Rebels (28-26-4), who halted their losing streak at seven games. Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, Feser forced overtime with his second goal of the game at 5:35 of the third period. Tyreek Hill Jersey . 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The World Curling Federation made a tentative bid in 2005 to include mixed doubles on the Olympic program for the 2010 Vancouver Games, but it was rejected because the discipline hadnt spread globally. However, WCF president Kate Caithness said "mixed doubles is part of our sport that has taken off around the world," with the governing body spending the last eight years developing the spread to meet the technical requirements for Olympic admission. The application will bee made after next years Sochi Games and decision will be reached by the IOC in 2015.dddddddddddd If it is accepted, mixed doubles would be a 16-team competition. "It would allow other countries who wouldnt perhaps have the chance of going to the Olympics with a full mens team and full womens team to take part in the Olympics," Caithness told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We have mixed doubles in world championships so we have done our homework. Hopefully it will appeal to the IOC." Caithness said the discipline would fit "in the same venue, in the same timeframe and with the same officials" as the mens and womens events. Hungary is the current world champion in mixed doubles. Cheap Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Discount Jerseys Wholesale NFL Hoodies Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Throwback Jerseys ' ' '