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years at Chelsea
in Diamondcraft - Registration Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:32 amby Cl11234566 • 420 Posts
When the Canadian womens rugby team won the Nations Cup shortly after he took over the program last year, head coach Francois Ratier held a post-tournament meeting with his players. He asked them what they wanted the teams identity to be and the players had the answers he was looking for. Ratier then chipped in himself by writing down the number of days left until the IRB Womens Rugby World Cup final. What can we do every day to make it happen? he recalled asking his players. And now, we are here. Ratier was dreaming big at the time. Canada had never even reached the podium -- never mind the championship game -- in the six previous editions of the tournament. Now his team has a shot to win it all on Sunday against England at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris. We have the passion, we have the rage, we want it, Ratier said. But then we just have to execute and do it. It has been an impressive run by the Canadians, who have finished fourth on three occasions and were coming off a sixth-place showing in 2010. England, meanwhile, is a 2010 runner-up and has never finished lower than third, winning it all in 1994. The 2014 Canadian squad has surpassed expectations and theyve done it by grinding down the opposition. Canada opened the tournament with comfortable wins over Spain and Samoa before fighting England to a 13-13 draw. Next up was an impressive 18-16 victory over France in front of a sellout crowd that nearly boosted the host side to a comeback win. The Canadians held strong though, with Magali Harveys try standing up as the difference. The Canadian team is a tough, united side that believes it belongs in the mix with the worlds best. Canada has proved that by playing a fast, physical brand of rugby and using a team-first mentality. It takes Ratier back to that meeting a year ago after Canadas 27-13 win over England to win the Nations Cup for the first time. It was a victory that he said started the players on their current journey. He still remembers the terms the players used to describe the teams identity. They came back with really simple words, he said. One of them was Fearless. Which is great, because thats what they are. Canada also defeated England 29-25 earlier in that tournament in Denver. England got some revenge a few months later by easily dismantling Canada 32-3 at The Twickenham Stoop in the final game of Canadas European tour. Harvey and captain Kelly Russell, both recently shortlisted for the womens player of the year award, have continued their strong play in France. Both have been leaders for the Canadian side. Weve put in the work, so were happy to be where we are, Russell said of her squad. We have one more goal to achieve here and thats winning it. England lost to New Zealand in the last three finals, but the Black Ferns failed to advance from the pool stage this year. Its a cliche, but we really have taken it one game at a time, said England coach Gary Street. If you had said to us at the start of the tournament that we would have the opportunity to play France or Canada in the final then of course, we would have taken it. Were massively looking forward to (the final). England advanced with a 40-7 rout of Ireland, who will play France in the third-place game before the final. A packed house is expected and with Frances archrival providing the opposition in the championship game, there should be plenty of local support for Canada this time around. We are not nervous, Ratier said. We just trust ourselves and were going to play our best rugby. Well see it at the end if its a win or a loss. But for sure were going to leave everything on the field. Stitched Golden Knights Jerseys . Minutes before the final whistle of Sporting Kansas Citys 3-0 victory over a shorthanded Montreal Impact squad on Saturday afternoon, Saputo tweeted: "Our fans deserve better. Golden Knights Jerseys China .Y. - The New York Islanders are brimming with confidence these days, thanks to a standout goalie and a newfound winning attitude. https://www.cheapgoldenknights.com/.com) - Chris Kreider tallied a goal and an assist as the New York Rangers capped a successful California road trip with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys . DArnaud hit one of three doubles for the Mets as they took a 4-0 lead in the first. Then the catchers seventh home run of the season broke the game open in the fifth. The 41-year-old Colon (10-8) retired the first 20 batters in his last outing Wednesday against Seattle, eventually allowing two runs on three hits in 7 1-3 innings in a 3-2 win. Vegas Golden Knights Pro Shop . Especially after he got ejected. "How many innings was that?" he wondered.Paul Clement has worked with some of the best players of recent years - so we challenged him to pick his dream team. On the Fantasy Football Club, Max Rushden and Paul Merson asked the former Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid coach to name the best XI of players he has coached.Heres Clements selection, based on their form when he coached them - and its quite a side! GOALKEEPER - Petr Cech CLEMENT SAYS: He could do everything; crosses, shot-stopper, tactically good and good with his feet as well. He had great leadership and he was a very serious professional.RIGHT-BACK - Sergio Ramos CLEMENT SAYS: He has the versatility to play right-back. He is one of my favourite players Ive worked with. He had incredible talent, but also fantastic personality and charisma as well.CENTRE-BACK - Thiago Silva CLEMENT SAYS: He is a player, in my opinion, who could have played for any of the big clubs in the world at this time in that position. Tactically, he is excellent and he has that Brazilian flair about him.CENTRE-BACK - John Terry CLEMENT SAYS: It was a pleasure to work with John. He was one of a rare breed who came through the ranks at the club. When hes not there at Chelsea or suspended or injured for a game, its just not Chelsea. Along with Tony Adams, he is the best central defender to have played in the Premier League. The Fantasy FC Podcast - 21st April LEFT-BACK - Ashley Cole CLEMENT SAYS: He was a fantastic player for both Arsenal and Chelsea. He could do both sides of the game brilliantly well. He was a ferocious defender, but also a real talent going forward.MIDFIELD - Xabi Alonso CLEMENT SAYS:: He revolutionised this position.dddddddddddd He was a playmaker, a quarter-back if you like in the way he was so crisp with his passing. Because he was not very strong, he made up for it in other ways. If you are quick in the brain and have technique you can play at the highest level.MIDFIELD - Luka Modric CLEMENT SAYS: Luka made the transition from Tottenham to Real Madrid fantastically. He is loved by the fans there, not only because he is a great footballer, but because of the physical effort he puts in.MIDFIELD - Frank Lampard CLEMENT SAYS: He was so consistent. For five or six years at Chelsea, he scored 20 a year. He was getting more goals than the strikers. He had a fantastic ability to arrive in the box at the right time.FORWARD - Gareth Bale CLEMENT SAYS: I worked with Gareth when he moved from Tottenham to Madrid. It wasnt easy coming from England to Spain with the language and Id like to think I helped him. He surprised me with how good he was.FORWARD - Zlatan Ibrahimovic CLEMENT SAYS: One day, he asked me: What am I like compared to Drogba? I was trying to be political and say he was great with his back to goal, but youve got other strengths. He looked at me and said: Im the best youve ever worked with.FORWARD - Cristiano Ronaldo CLEMENT SAYS: I think Ive left the best to last. He is outstanding. Of all the players I have worked with, he was at the very top of his game. A Ballon dOr winner with 50+ goals season after season after season. A wonderful professional and great guy. Ive worked with one of the best ever.Tune in to see more from Paul Clement on The Fantasy Football Club, 6pm, Friday, Sky Sports 1. Also See: More from The FantasyFC Michael ONeills #One2Eleven Merse: Martinez must show bottle Ian Holloway: In The Picture ' ' '
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