ATP Monte Carlo

Tough Monte Carlo field with Nadal‚ Djokovic‚ Federer all in

One year ago‚ Novak Djokovic dethroned Rafael Nadal‚ the current world number one who is hungry to take back the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters title which he won from 2005 to 2012. Add Roger Federer – the wild card entry in the tournament that will take place from April 13 to April 20 – and fans will wonder if Djokovic can successfully defend his title.

Bet on these players to win in ATP Monte Carlo with the betting odds below:

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Source: SBOBET

Wenger: We were complacent

Wenger: Plenty to think about

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that his side may have become complacent about qualifying for the Champions League.

The Gunners have featured in the Champions League for 16 consecutive seasons, but risk losing out this time around after being passed by Everton in the race for fourth spot.

It is the Goodison Park outfit who will claim the final qualifying berth if they win the remainder of their matches‚ with the Toffees currently on a seven–match winning streak‚ a period in which Arsenal have claimed just two victories.

Wenger concedes that Arsenal may have begun to feel that they were guaranteed of at least fourth spot and relaxed, leaving them vulnerable to a late charge from Everton.

“Maybe yes, we felt anyway ‘that is done’‚” said the Frenchman.

“We have had a difficult schedule (this season) and the weight of a negative result‚ the mental aspect of a negative result in a big game‚ is massive. To deal with that is very difficult and when you have a succession of big games one after the other‚ if you lose the first one you are always in trouble.”

“For many years I was sitting here and had to convince you that it was important that we were in the top four – now it is in a reverse position‚ you say to me ‘you realise how important it is for us′‚” he added.

“It is vital to me to do it. I want this club to play in the top level competition‚ and for that you want to be in the Champions League.

“What will be an advantage is our desire to play in this competition because we love the Champions League and just to imagine how much we love it will help us to achieve it.

“The pain of not having it? I would like them (the players) rather to concentrate on the pleasure to be in it.”

Source: VIQI News

LA LIGA WRAP: REAL CAPITALISE ON BARCA SLIP

Barcelona suffered a surprise La Liga defeat at the hands of Granada to hand the Madrid clubs the title initiative.

Yacine Brahimi netted the only goal for Granada in the 16th minute before Barca spurned a host of chances‚ with Neymar taking a prime place among the culprits. It is the second time this week Gerardo Martino′s team have fallen by a 1–0 margin‚ following their UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of leaders Atletico Madrid – who have the chance to pull four points clear of the defending champions when they host Malaga tomorrow night. There were no such problems for Real Madrid‚ who are now a point better off than their fierce Catalan rivals courtesy of a comfortable 4–0 home win over second–bottom Almeria. Again operating without injured talisman Cristiano Ronaldo due to a knee injury‚ Real threatened to break the deadlock long before a 28th–minute opener from the impressive Angel Di Maria. Gareth Bale‚ Isco and substitute Alvaro Morata completed the scoring on a significant night for Carlo Ancelotti′s team. Celta Vigo twice came from behind at home, despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half, to claim a valuable 2–2 draw against Real Sociedad– easing their relegation fears. The visitors twice hit the front through Sergio Canales and Antoine Griezmann, the latter′s strike coming soon after Nolito′s 37th–minute penalty. Celta defender Jon Aurtenetxe then received his marching orders three minutes into the second half to put the home side under serious pressure but Santiago Min earned a share of the spoils in the 82nd minute. That result meant Villarreal moved above Sociedad into sixth with a dramatic late win over Levante‚ while Celta rose to 12th with 37 points – five spots and six points clear of the relegation zone. A 0–0 draw appeared on the cards at Villarreal′s Camp El Madrigal until Jeremy Perbet headed home Manuel Trigueros′ free–kick for the hosts in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Source: SBOBET Times

Pacquiao victory greeted with joy in Philippines

Photo credit: Jay Directo photo and Isaac Brekken photo| AP

The Philippines united in celebration on Sunday as its boxing hero Manny Pacquiao cemented his comeback by avenging his 2012 loss to American Timothy Bradley to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title.

Crowds watching the fight‚ which was broadcast live from Las Vegas in several parks‚ squares and public stadiums around the archipelago‚ erupted in cheers as Pacquiao was declared winner in a unanimous 12–round decision.

“The people of the nation are united in cheering on the victory of the nation’s fist‚ Congressman Manny Pacquiao. He is the symbol of the excellence of the Filipino in all endeavours‚” said President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma shortly after the victory.

He said Pacquiao’s latest victory was symbolic of the way Filipinos can recover from the worst disasters‚ an apparent reference to Super Typhoon Haiyan and the earthquake that struck the country last year‚ killing thousands.

Street sweeper Fernando Baque 52‚ one of the thousands who watched the fight on a giant screen in a park in suburban Manila‚ said: “I was happy to see him win. He can still take it. He isn’t that old. He really controlled the fight. His punches really rocked Bradley.

“He shouldn’t retire yet. The country still needs him‚” he told AFP.

Questions about whether Pacquiao had grown too old to fight surfaced after he suffered two consecutive defeats: first a decision to Bradley in June‚ 2012 and then a knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez in December that year.

But since then‚ Pacquiao has appeared to be regaining his old form‚ winning an overwhelming points victory over Brandon Rios to win the World Boxing Organisation international welterweight championship in Macau last November.

While he failed to knock out Bradley‚ his Filipino fans were not disappointed by his performance.

“I really prayed for this. He really looked strong this time. As long as his body can take it‚ he should keep it up‚” said 50–year–old carer‚ Elsie Vinluan.

However 72–year–old retiree‚ William Saraste said Pacquiao should retire after just one more fight.

“He already has enough money and he can’t go on for much longer. I wish he would fight (American Floyd) Mayweather. That should be his last fight‚” he said.

A match between Pacquiao and Mayweather‚ both once considered among the best fighters of their generation‚ has long been hoped for but has also been repeatedly scuttled due to various conflicts.

Original post via AFP

Coin For Coffee Seeks Simple Way To Buy a Cup of Joe

Ever wanted to buy a cup of Starbucks coffee with your bitcoins? With Coin For Coffee‚ now you can.

As its co–founder and CEO Matt Luongo explained to CoinDesk‚ Card For Coin leverages Starbucks′ existing gift card infrastructure to process payments using digital currency.

He put it simply:

“We want people to be able to spend their bitcoins wherever they want.”

How it works

Coin For Coffee sports a simple interface. Users choose how much they want to upload (ranging from $5 to $50).

After confirming a user′s email address‚  the system produces a bitcoin address in which to deposit the amount. Users send the amount they want to spend‚ and Coin For Coffee produces a barcode.

The barcode is then scanned at the Starbucks register as if it′s a gift card. Once the transaction is complete‚  any remaining bitcoins are returned to the owner after roughly 30 minutes.

Origins of the project

The team behind Coin For Coffee is the same that developed Card For Coin‚  an online solution for exchanging the value of Starbucks gift cards for bitcoins.

That project has since been delayed pending regulatory approval. The team has no official relationship with Starbucks.

When asked about the differences between the two projects‚ Luongo framed them as two sides of the same coin.

“So far the reception has been just as positive. I think one of the differences is that we′re asking people to do more. It′s a different group of people being excited.”

Looking ahead‚  Luongo sees a future in the project and hopes that Coin For Coffee will be able to tap coffee retailers beyond Starbucks.

The team is also developing a dedicated mobile app. User interest‚ according to Luongo‚ has been positive. He said that more people have expressed enthusiasm for Coin For Coffee compared to Card For Coin.

Ways for consumers to spend bitcoins grow

Loadable spending tools‚  either browser–based or card–based‚ are becoming increasingly prevalent world wide.

BitInvest‚  a digital currency exchange based in Brazil‚ is preparing to releaseCoincard‚ a bitcoin–friendly payment card branded by MasterCard.

Cryptex‚ a Hong Kong–based startup‚  recently launched a bitcoin debit card that reportedly works at the vast majority of ATMs in the United States.

Last month‚ Gyft announced that it has added Wal–Mart to its growing list of retailers within its bitcoin giftcard merchant network.

Coffee cup and beans on a white background image via Shutterstock

Article credit: CoinDesk

Stars fighting for United Careers, says Fletcher

Manchester United players are fighting for their futures at Old Trafford‚ according to midfielder Darren Fletcher.

United have endured a turbulent season under David Moyes, who replaced long–serving manager Sir Alex Ferguson in May. The Manchester club were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarter–finals by defending champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday‚ ending any hopes of silverware this season. United also look set to miss out on Champions League football next season for the first time in 19 years‚ with the club languishing in seven position‚ seven points adrift of fourth–placed Arsenal. And Fletcher‚ who appears to have overcome an inflammatory bowel disease, says it is time for the team′s under–performing stars to prove their worth with Moyes expected to ring the changes at season′s end. “It is time to show the manager that you deserve to be at this club‚″ Fletcher said. “If you get a chance to play‚ you have to go and impress the manager and show him that you are capable of being here next year. “Go and put in performances because the manager will be thinking of next season‚ no doubt about that. You have to make sure that you are one of the names that he still wants.” Moyes is expected to overhaul an aging United squad in the coming months‚ with captain Nemanja Vidic set for Inter Milan. Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Javier Hernandez face uncertain futures‚ while Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos has been tipped to move to Old Trafford in a big–money deal. “He will definitely look back on this season and realise it was a disappointment but I fully expect there to be some signings‚” the Scottish midfielder said. “People expect signings in the summer‚ there is no doubt about that, but that is always the case at Manchester United.”

Source: SBOBET Times

Monoprix in France, Another Retail Chain to Accept Bitcoin Payment

Major French retail chain Monoprix is making plans to start accepting bitcoin payments on its merchant website this year, according to the company’s director of e–commerce,Patrick Oualid. Although Monoprix is not the first merchant who first accepts the virtual currency, Qualid explain thath the company takes the same approach with bitcoin.

When asked why he thought accepting bitcoin payments would be good for his company Oualid explained:

“Monoprix has always been a pioneer and sought to bring to its customers what we do not necessarily see elsewhere. For 2,500 years, the Phoenicians sailed the seas to seek different products in the countries bordering the Mediterranean. We want to fill the same role.”

There is not yet much understanding of the “magnitude” of bitcoin according to Oualid but many at the company, even he, believe that bitcoin is not a flash in the pan.

Monoprix opened its first store in the French city of Rouen in 1938. It now has a presence in 85% of French towns and combines food retailing with hardware, clothing, household items and gifts. A subsidiary of the Casino Group, the company had over 300 stores across France as of 2008, according to online sources.

Article Credit: Coindesk

Hong Kong Based Launched Cryptex Card, First Bitcoin Debit Card

Hong Kong based startup, has started an online service that quickly changes bitcoins into dollars by loading them onto a card that could be used at ATMs, a Cryptex Card.

Announced today at the Inside Bitcoins conference in New York City, the Cryptex Card will allow consumers to “to turn cryptocurrency into cash at hundreds of thousands of ATMs and millions of merchants’ point–of–sales (POS) worldwide, regardless of whether the merchants or banks accept cryptocurrency.”

The card will function as a prepaid debit card and can be issued through a license with Union Pay, according to WSJ. Jamon Rahn, Cryptex Card CEO and co–founder believes that card holders will be able to use the card in about 90% of the world’s ATMs and merchant outlets. This will allow Bitcoin users the convenience to exchange their bitcoins for cash easily.

The process:

Consumers will order their Cryptex Card online and load it with Bitcoin, which then gets physically shipped like any other credit or debit card. Cryptex will have the requisite AML/KYC processes for each nation it serves built into this ordering process. Once in the user’s hands, it can be reloaded online. When there is an active account balance, using the card is as fast as any prepaid debit card because the balances are already in cash. When it comes time to reload the card with new Bitcoins from the user’s wallet, this process can be done end–to–end in less than 24 hours, with a goal of bringing this process down to less than one minute by this summer.

Video Credit: Youtube

Article Credit:  newsBTC

San Paolo to be upgraded

San Paolo: To receive an upgrade

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Authorities have confirmed that there will be upgrades at the San Paolo stadium‚ Napoli′s home venue.

Italian authorities have confirmed that there will be upgrades at the San Paolo stadium, Napoli′s home venue.

While there had been speculation the Partenopei would move to a new venue in the foreseeable future‚ Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris revealed on Monday that plans to start work on the upgrade had already been made.

“I can confirm that we are on the right track‚” De Magistris told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli on Monday.

“On Friday we sent the necessary documentation to Napoli so that they know the exact fees to be paid.

“Without this there would need to be a delay in proceedings. Napoli will play at San Paolo and there will be a commitment to redeveloping the entire stadium‚” added the City Mayor.

There are strong indications that Napoli are happy with the current arrangement‚ which means work is likely to begin soon.

“We have now reached an agreement, thanks to De Laurentiis making himself available. He will pay the amount due before we move on to discuss the next steps. Sometimes things are not easy to sort out.

“Things will begin to move forward immediately. Once the payment has been received we can sign for the plan to go ahead‚” added Naples’ number one citizen.

“I would like for the research to be done before the end of the year, at which point there will be a commitment to putting the necessary money in to fund the building of the stadium.

“Will there be an athletics track? There is a commitment to create a project‚ I will trust those who have designed the most beautiful stadiums.”

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Meanwhile Napoli′s mission: Third straight win over Lazio

Napoli defeated Lazio the last two times they met. Rafael Benitez′s side will again try to frustrate Lazio. Napoli scored a total of five goals in those two encounters‚ something that indicates how messed up Lazio′s defense is. Have Lazio made the right adjustments or is Napoli just too strong for them? Match will be on April 13 at 21:00 (GMT+8).

Enjoy more of this match by predicting its outcome with the betting odds below:

Asian Handicap:+0.75 Lazio @ 2.08 

Asian Handicap: –0.75 Napoli @ 1.85 

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Source: SBOBET‚ VIQI News

MOYES EXPLAINS AWAY SUCCESS

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes his team have benefited from a relative lack of pressure in away games this season.

Although United sit sixth in the Premier League, having struggled in their first season under Moyes‚ the club have picked up more points away from home than any other club in the top flight. A 4–0 victory at Newcastle United on Saturday represented the 10th league triumph on the road for the defending champions this season. Yet Moyes has overseen just seven wins from 16 league games on home soil. “Maybe there′s a big expectation at Old Trafford to go and be a bit gung–ho and play in a real attacking style‚” suggested the Scot. “We′ve lost a few games by narrow margins – 1–0 (to) Newcastle United‚ Everton. “We′ve lost a few games like that′ whereas maybe away from home there′s not as much expectancy to go and be like that.″ United‚ who face Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League quarter–final, were hampered by a trio of injuries at St James′ Park‚ having lost Wayne Rooney to a toe problem prior to the match. Ashley Young was forced off in the first half after hurting his hand, while Patrice Evra and Marouane Fellaini were withdrawn after the interval. “Pat Evra had a bit of a sore knee‚ Ashley Young looks like he′s torn the ligaments in his hand and Marouane Fellaini was dizzy‚”  Moyes explained. Source: SBOBET Times

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Stuttgart struggling to survive

Five–time Bundesliga champions Stuttgart are still in a precarious position despite the 2–0 win against Freiburg on Saturday.

Stevens: Under the cosh

Five–time Bundesliga champions Stuttgart are still in a precarious position despite the 2–0 win against Freiburg on Saturday‚ according to manager Huub Stevens.

Stuttgart currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga standings‚ just one place clear of the dreaded relegation zone.

This is compounded by the fact that Hamburg‚ who are in 16th position‚ have accumulated the same number of points (27) as Stuttgart‚ and Stevens is well aware of the task they face.

“These three points are very important in our situation‚ but this victory was just one small step in our current situation‚” said Stevens.

Of Stuttgart′s remaining five matches‚ three are against the top four teams on the Bundesliga standings‚ which isn′t ideal.

The next assignment for the Schwaben is a trip to a motivated Monchengladbach‚ who are trying to secure a spot in Champions League football.

Source: VIQI News

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