But there was a thin line between joy and despair in these showcase sports and many others in 2009. Full Article at New Kerala
The pair have a host of big names blocking them. Full Article at The Sun
West Ham's Dean Ashton has been forced to retire due to a long-standing ankle injury. Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images Once Dean Ashton seemed to have the world at his feet. Full Article at Guardian Unlimited
Joe Cole woke up one Sunday morning and everything had changed. He was still a schoolboy but there he was, on the front page of a national newspaper, tipped for greatness. Full Article at Daily Mail - UK
Tranquillo Barnetta (right) established himself as a regular at Bayer Leverkusen straight away and, five years on, the Swiss player has not looked back. Managers love his versatility and intelligence on the pitch. Full Article at The National Newspaper
The draw for World Cup 2010 (South Africa!) is complete, and now we must wait for 6 months until the matches begin. Full Article at Unprofessional Foul
A group of hooded people burn flags of Spain and France at the end of one of the pro-independence rallies celebrated on occasion of Catalonia's Day Photo: EPA Around 160 municipalities across the northeastern region will stage unofficial polls... Full Article at The Telegraph
The South African football team are in a tough group with Mexico, Uruguay and France at next year's World Cup. They are under enormous pressure not to suffer the ignominy of becoming the first host nation to crash out in the first round. Full Article at Goal.com
Spanish football club Sevilla said on Friday that the contract of Argentinian winger Diego Perotti has been extended until 2015. Full Article at Webindia123
YOU can tell bungling ref Meier just what you think of his decision on his own website. Go to www.ursmeier.ch/referee/ and click on the feedback section. Full Article at Guardian Unlimited