Croatia defender Josip Simunic has signed a five-year contract extension with Hertha Berlin after abandoning earlier plans to move to Italy's Serie A.

"I decided in the end to stay with Hertha because I want to help rebuild the young team," said Simunic, who along with Germany defender Arne Friedrich has been the club's most important defender. He could have left on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old Simunic had come close to signing with Fiorentina and ignored earlier deadlines from Hertha commercial manager Dieter Hoeness to re-sign before he finally agreed at the last minute to the extension until June 30, 2011.

"It was worth the fight to keep Joe," Hoeness said. "I'm delighted we were able to keep an anchor of our defence in Berlin."

It was feared that Simunic's departure could have opened the floodgates for Hertha's other top players, midfielders Marcelinho and Turkey's Yildiray Basturk, to depart.

Hertha finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season.

¶ 24/05/06 4:07 PM //

Ivan Saenko grabbed a late winner for Nurnberg in a game that saw both them and Hertha Berlin reduced to 10 men.

Robert Vittek had put the hosts ahead on the half hour mark, and Hertha's troubles increased when Josip Simunic was sent off eight minutes later.

However, Pal Dardai brought them level four minutes before half time, and a draw seemed likely after Nurnberg's Jan Polak saw red mid-way through the second half.

That was before Saenko popped up with four minutes left to snatch all three points.

It was perhaps a fair reflection of the play as Nurnberg had the better of the chances.

Stefan Kiessling had the first chance in only the third minute but could not get his header on target from Javier Pinola's cross.

Kevin Boateng blazed over at the other end before Kiessling turned provider. His cross fell to Vittek but he slammed a shot against the post from close range.

The breakthrough came when Simunic was caught in possession and Vittek struck a shot which was too powerful for goalkeeper Christian Fiedler to hold on to.

Simunic's misery was completed when he received his second yellow card for a foul on Kiessling.

Nurnberg might have been expected to take control of the game, but instead they conceded almost instantly.

Dardai latched onto a through ball from Solomon Okoronkwo to find the net with a low shot from the right-hand side of the area.

The game turned again when Polak fouled Sofian Chahed to earn his second yellow card, but as with Hertha, the loss of a man only seemed to spur Nurnberg on.

Fiedler saved from Jan Kristiansen and Saenko in quick succession as they pushed forward in search of a winner.

Pinola then saw a free-kicked turned over the bar by their goalkeeper as Hertha looked like holding on for a draw.

However, with four minutes left, Vittek's pass found Saenko unmarked inside the area and he finally found the net.

¶ 16/05/06 2:51 PM //

Hamburg's brave challenge for the Bundesliga Championship title ended in a 4-2 defeat at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Hertha had to come from behind twice as first Piotr Trochowski (10) and then Benjamin Lauth (18) gave Thomas Doll's side the lead with Andreas Neuendorf (13) equalising first and then Alexander Madlung (55) bringing the hosts level.

Further strikes from Niko Kovac (69) and Marko Pantelic (72) gave Hertha a result which means they could still qualify for the UEFA Cup next weekend.

It was a fine performance by the home side who had Neuendorf sent off with a half-hour still to play.

As for Hamburg`s title chances, they were dashed when Bayern Munich drew 1-1 at Kaiserslautern to seal the crown.

Hamburg must now concentrate on next week's derby with Werder Bremen which will decide who finishes second and wins automatic entry into the Champions League.

For a while, Hamburg`s fans were in upbeat mood as news filtered through that Bayern had gone a goal down at Kaiserslautern.

They then went ahead through Trochowski.

Mehdi Mahdavikia and Guy Demel played a short free-kick between themselves into the path of Trochowski whose low drive from 25 yards penetrated the wall and found the bottom corner.

Berlin's reaction was not long in coming.

Neuendorf first set up Marcelinho but the Brazilian's shot deflected back to the former who tried his luck and Mahdavikia's attempted headed clearance off the line bounced off the ground and into the roof of the net.

¶ 08/05/06 5:37 PM //

With three fixtures left in the season the Germany Bundesliga can almost crown their champion. The only two teams now with possibilities to win the Championship are first place Bayern Munich and Hamburg SV; first place Bayern Munich is 5 points ahead of Hamburg SV. It will be a fierce fight for first place as none of the teams can afford the luxury of losing any points so expect them to try and win every game they have left.

 

The Bayern Munich will clinch the title if they win on Saturday against Kaiserslautern, it will be the second consecutive title and they already won the second consecutive cup so it will be a double double for them and the 20^th Bundesliga title.

 

Bayern didn’t have a great campaign in the Champions League but they can wash their face to their fans if they manage to clinch the title on Saturday. It will be a great comfort for the team and the fans; as we know the sooner the league finish for the important teams it’s better for the National Team. That way they can count with all the players towards the preparation for the FIFA World Cup.

 

On the other side the Hamburg SV depends on the results of Bayern Munich. If Bayern losses on Saturday they can forget about the title; however if they lose Hamburg SV might still have a shot of course if they win all their games left.

 

It’s very impressive the campaign that the Hamburg SV has had. Not being such a known team they have proved to everybody in Europe that they can match any team they face. With a possible ticket to next year Champions League the team is very motivated in continuing the good work they’ve been doing so far and have a good season ending.

 

'We were lucky,' said HSV coach Thomas Doll. 'We weren't able to settle down into any rhythm after going ahead 1-0. Cologne got better and better. They played fantastic. We didn't invest enough into the match and didn't play well. 'But we got three points against a very strong Cologne team.'

 

Hamburg can clinch second place and direct qualification into the Champions League if Werder Bremen, third with 61 points, does not win their match on Wednesday against MSV Duisburg.

 

Now you know it, two important teams that will fight with everything they’ve got for the Championship; this is best opportunity if you like sports betting to add more excitement to that soccer passion.

¶ 04/05/06 5:26 PM //

By Daniel Kline
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

 

Both the NBA and the NHL close out the first round of their playoffs. In baseball, you’ve got the Orioles and the Blue Jays, matching up in what has to be one of the biggest questions of the baseball season. One of these teams might hang on to challenge the Yankees and Red Sox, but probably not both, making this early season tilt a little more interesting.

 

*All times Eastern.

 

Monday, May 1

 

NFL Europe, Berlin at Rhein (3 p.m., NFL Network)

Stop arguing about who your team drafted and check in on the sport’s minor league with this mid-afternoon match-up. Though NFL Europe might not get the attention of its big brother, the league offers a good chance to figure out which back-up players might break through come the fall.

 

Tuesday, May 2

 

Yankees at Red Sox (7:05 p.m., DirecTV, regional)

Every Yankees versus Red Sox match-up gets covered like a playoff game in Boston and New York, so expect tempers to flare in this tilt. The Sox have had the early season advantage, but that’s nothing new, as the Sox always have a division lead in the Summer – the question is whether they can hold it in the Fall.

 

Wednesday, May 3

Boxing (9 p.m. ESPN2)

Sharmba Mitchell takes on Jose Luis Cruz in a 10-round welterweight tilt. Cruz plays the role of the fighter on the way up, taking on former two-time champion Mitchell, who wants one more shot at the gold. Mitchell was knocked out in the sixth round in his last fight, but that was against Floyd Mayweather – one of the best in the division – so he’s aiming to prove that was a fluke and knock Cruz off the ladder of contention.

Thursday, May 4

Wachovia Open (4 p.m., USA)

A Tiger-less field should leave this one pretty wide open. Vijay Singh attempts to repeat as champion, a title he took last year in a three-way playoff with Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk.

 

Saturday, May 6

Kentucky Derby (6 p.m., NBC)

Horse racing only matters three times a year to the average fan, but the Kentucky captures the best of the sport. Because it’s the first Triple Crown race, every Derby winner stands the chance of being the first horse to bring home racing’s most elusive prize since Affirmed in 1978.

 

Sunday, May 7

Premier League Soccer (5 p.m., FOXESP)

Two of the big powers in the Premiership face off as Newcastle battles Chelsea in an attempt to cut into Chelsea’s overall lead in the standings. Chelsea did just fall in the FA Cup semifinal, but their big lead in the regular season standings makes clinching the title almost inevitable.

 

Daniel Kline’s book “50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do” is available in bookstores nationwide. He can be reached at dan@notastep.com.

 

Bet the Board @ WagerWeb.com Sportsbook - Click here to view live odds

¶ 02/05/06 8:43 PM //

By Daniel Kline
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Both the NBA and the NHL close out the first round of their playoffs. In baseball, you’ve got the Orioles and the Blue Jays, matching up in what has to be one of the biggest questions of the baseball season. One of these teams might hang on to challenge the Yankees and Red Sox, but probably not both, making this early season tilt a little more interesting.

*All times Eastern.

 

Monday, May 1

NFL Europe, Berlin at Rhein (3 p.m., NFL Network)

Stop arguing about who your team drafted and check in on the sport’s minor league with this mid-afternoon match-up. Though NFL Europe might not get the attention of its big brother, the league offers a good chance to figure out which back-up players might break through come the fall.

Tuesday, May 2

Yankees at Red Sox (7:05 p.m., DirecTV, regional)

Every Yankees versus Red Sox match-up gets covered like a playoff game in Boston and New York, so expect tempers to flare in this tilt. The Sox have had the early season advantage, but that’s nothing new, as the Sox always have a division lead in the Summer – the question is whether they can hold it in the Fall.

Wednesday, May 3

Boxing (9 p.m. ESPN2)

Sharmba Mitchell takes on Jose Luis Cruz in a 10-round welterweight tilt. Cruz plays the role of the fighter on the way up, taking on former two-time champion Mitchell, who wants one more shot at the gold. Mitchell was knocked out in the sixth round in his last fight, but that was against Floyd Mayweather – one of the best in the division – so he’s aiming to prove that was a fluke and knock Cruz off the ladder of contention.

Thursday, May 4

Wachovia Open (4 p.m., USA)

A Tiger-less field should leave this one pretty wide open. Vijay Singh attempts to repeat as champion, a title he took last year in a three-way playoff with Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk.

Saturday, May 6

Kentucky Derby (6 p.m., NBC)

Horse racing only matters three times a year to the average fan, but the Kentucky captures the best of the sport. Because it’s the first Triple Crown race, every Derby winner stands the chance of being the first horse to bring home racing’s most elusive prize since Affirmed in 1978.

Sunday, May 7

Premier League Soccer (5 p.m., FOXESP)

Two of the big powers in the Premiership face off as Newcastle battles Chelsea in an attempt to cut into Chelsea’s overall lead in the standings. Chelsea did just fall in the FA Cup semifinal, but their big lead in the regular season standings makes clinching the title almost inevitable.

Daniel Kline’s book “50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do” is available in bookstores nationwide. He can be reached at dan@notastep.com.

Bet the Board @ WagerWeb.com Sportsbook - Click here to view live odds

¶ 02/05/06 8:41 PM //

By Daniel Kline

WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

 

Both the NBA and the NHL close out the first round of their playoffs. In baseball, you’ve got the Orioles and the Blue Jays, matching up in what has to be one of the biggest questions of the baseball season. One of these teams might hang on to challenge the Yankees and Red Sox, but probably not both, making this early season tilt a little more interesting.

 

*All times Eastern.

 

Monday, May 1

NFL Europe, Berlin at Rhein (3 p.m., NFL Network)

Stop arguing about who your team drafted and check in on the sport’s minor league with this mid-afternoon match-up. Though NFL Europe might not get the attention of its big brother, the league offers a good chance to figure out which back-up players might break through come the fall.

 

Tuesday, May 2

Yankees at Red Sox (7:05 p.m., DirecTV, regional)

Every Yankees versus Red Sox match-up gets covered like a playoff game in Boston and New York, so expect tempers to flare in this tilt. The Sox have had the early season advantage, but that’s nothing new, as the Sox always have a division lead in the Summer – the question is whether they can hold it in the Fall.

 

Wednesday, May 3

Boxing (9 p.m. ESPN2)

Sharmba Mitchell takes on Jose Luis Cruz in a 10-round welterweight tilt. Cruz plays the role of the fighter on the way up, taking on former two-time champion Mitchell, who wants one more shot at the gold. Mitchell was knocked out in the sixth round in his last fight, but that was against Floyd Mayweather – one of the best in the division – so he’s aiming to prove that was a fluke and knock Cruz off the ladder of contention.

 

Thursday, May 4

Wachovia Open (4 p.m., USA)

A Tiger-less field should leave this one pretty wide open. Vijay Singh attempts to repeat as champion, a title he took last year in a three-way playoff with Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk.

 

 

Saturday, May 6

Kentucky Derby (6 p.m., NBC)

Horse racing only matters three times a year to the average fan, but the Kentucky captures the best of the sport. Because it’s the first Triple Crown race, every Derby winner stands the chance of being the first horse to bring home racing’s most elusive prize since Affirmed in 1978.

 

Sunday, May 7

Premier League Soccer (5 p.m., FOXESP)

Two of the big powers in the Premiership face off as Newcastle battles Chelsea in an attempt to cut into Chelsea’s overall lead in the standings. Chelsea did just fall in the FA Cup semifinal, but their big lead in the regular season standings makes clinching the title almost inevitable.

 

 

Daniel Kline’s book “50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do” is available in bookstores nationwide. He can be reached at dan@notastep.com.

 

Bet the Board @ WagerWeb.com Sportsbook - Click here to view live odds

¶ 02/05/06 8:39 PM //