Benutzer stellen sich vor » in unique position to make history. "S

MADRID, Spain -- Chelseas defensive game plan worked perfectly as it held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. Jose Mourinhos ultra-defensive tactics succeeded at the Vicente Calderon Stadium despite the exit of goalkeeper Petr Cech to injury in the 18th minute. Mark Schwarzer came on, with Cechs long-term replacement -- Thibaut Courtois -- playing in the opposite goal, on loan from Chelsea. Atletico nearly broke through in the final 15 minutes as Raul Garcia and substitute Arda Turan sent headers wide, while Gabi Fernandez and Diego Costa forced Schwarzer into saves. But Chelsea looked too strong at the back, despite also losing captain John Terry to an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the Premier League season. The result will leave the English side feeling upbeat about its chances of returning to the final, two years after beating Bayern Munich on penalties. Atletico, which is top of the Spanish league and hasnt been this far in Europes top competition since 1974, needs a plan for breaking open a Chelsea defence that will be handicapped by injuries and suspensions in the return leg. "Were not happy with the draw since we wanted to win at all costs. Were left with a bad taste in our mouth even if the series is still open," Gabi said. "We knew they didnt want to concede, but we tried to score through our best attacking football." The second leg is at Stamford Bridge on April 30 with the winner playing either Bayern or Real Madrid in the May 24 final at Lisbon. Chelsea striker Fernando Torres started on his first return to his boyhood club -- but made little impact like much of his sides attack -- as Oscar and Andre Schuerrle were left on the substitutes bench. Eden Hazard and Samuel Etoo were out due to injury. "We had to be safe, dont concede and score in the chances you create," Mourinho said. "If you score a goal in one of those situations the result would be very good. We didnt, but this result means everything will be decided at Stamford Bridge." Mourinhos game plan was not pretty, but certainly proved effective as the Blues stifled Atletico, whose best opportunity of the first half forced Cech out with an injured shoulder as he tipped Kokes wicked in-swinging corner kick over the bar. Schwarzer came on to chants of "Courtois" as Atletico supporters mocked Chelseas decision to loan out the Belgian goalkeeper. Chelsea should have been ahead moments later when Gary Cahill headed Frank Lampards corner kick wide from inside the area, shortly before Ramires broke through -- only for the Chelsea midfielder to fire wide. Schwarzer was busy gathering failed crosses and long balls as the home side attempted to break through without success, while Chelseas defenders did well to contain Diego Costa and block a series of shots, including the Spain strikers 41st-minute volley from inside the area. After Lampard forced Courtois into a save to start the second half, Atletico slowly began to break through the Chelsea wall through efforts from Diego Ribas, who came off for Turan after an hour. Terry picked up an injury after appearing to land awkwardly and made way for Schuerrle in the 73rd, while Atletico players grew frustrated with referee Jonas Eriksson. The Swede gave neither team leeway in a stop-start match featuring many fouls and also handed out a booking to Gabi that will rule the Atletico captain out of the return match. Yellow cards for Lampard and John Obi Mikel means the Chelsea midfield pair will also miss the game at Stamford Bridge. "We will fight, we will fight," said Mourinho, who said he now saw the Blues priority as being Europe rather than the Premier League. "(Branislav) Ivanovic is back, Schwarzer showed we could trust him. If we have to play the kids, we have to play the kids." Raul Garcia, who limped off at the end, headed a pair of chances over the top in the final 10 minutes, when Atletico pressed forward for a winner. Diego Costa was unable to direct his header past Schwarzer, who will now be vital for Chelseas Premier League campaign, as the London club held on for a valuable draw. Matt Duchene Jersey .Y. - The New York Rangers have reached a one-year contract extension with goalie Cam Talbot, keeping Henrik Lundqvists backup away from unrestricted free agency. Jason Spezza Jersey . -- Lara Gut of Switzerland regained the overall World Cup lead with Sundays super-G win in Lake Louise, Alta. http://www.senatorssale.com/. - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has cleared league-mandated concussion protocol and has returned to practice as a full participant. Daniel Alfredsson Jersey . 17.A string of English Premier League teams, most in the lower end of the standings, has been linked to the 32-year-old forward but most have seemingly balked at the cost given his wages and transfer fee. Custom Ottawa Senators Jerseys . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. ST. LOUIS -- The overflow crowd at Rams Park did not intimidate Michael Sam. He seemed almost eager for the attention and scrutiny. The first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team was confident and engaged Tuesday as he was formally introduced by the St. Louis Rams, handling questions and scrutiny with aplomb well beyond that of a typical seventh-round pick. "Im determined to be great," Sam said. "I understand that right now you guys want to make a big deal of it." Sam put his arm around coach Jeff Fisher after sharing the podium with other late-round picks. He joked that hed never before heard the term "tweener" and even rose in his chair in mock intimidation of fellow Missouri draftee E.J. Gaines, a sixth-rounder whod been asked what the SEC co-defensive player of the year was like as a teammate. Sam, who came out to teammates and coaches before his senior season at Missouri, disagreed that his sexuality had been a secret. "Apparently, everybody else makes a big deal out of it," Sam said. "But my teammates and my school didnt." "Its OK to be who you are," he added. "Whether youre gay, straight, black or white, its OK to be comfortable in your own skin." After getting the go-ahead from owner Stan Kroenke and making the pick Saturday, Fisher called it a "second historic moment" for a franchise that signed running back Kenny Washington in 1946 as the NFLs first black player in the modern era. Just as in his post-draft teleconference with St. Louis media that was sprinkled with salty language, Sam was feisty. Hes had a few months to get accustomed to the role of trailblazer instead of a silent star. Sure, hes a role model. Right now hed much rather be the Rams description of "designated pass rusher." "I will always support equality, period," Sam said. "But my job is to focus on football and help this team win a championship." The appearance of perhaps the most famous seventh-round pick in NFL history attracted a massive amount of people. A half-dozen TV trucks lined a crammed parking lot at Rams Park, an hour before the teams two first-round picks were due at the podium. About 80 media members attended the news conferences. Three days earlier when the Rams chose Sam with the No. 249 overall pick, the media contingent was in single digits. "Theres some energy here," general manager Les Snead said with a smile between rounds of interviews. "But I dont think this is a circus. This deserves attention, but well get it over and well get to work." Sam shared the dais with five other players taken in the sixth and seventh rounds Saturday as the draft came to a close.dddddddddddd Snead joked that Tennessee State centre Demetrius Rhaney, taken one pick after Sam at 250th overall, should get the first question after it got lost in the hubbub Saturday. "Im not sure anybody knows we drafted Demetrius," Snead said, adding that he hoped someday that pick 249 will someday be a footnote in sports history, and not such a big deal. For Sams subsequent solo session with reporters, he was flanked by Fisher and Snead, with Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff joining the group. Everyone seemed eager to embrace Sam. Second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner, a cornerback from Florida State, has never had an openly gay teammate. He applauded Sams decision. "Hes a courageous young man," Joyner said. "Hes a brave young man that we need in this organization." The teams two first-round picks were first to the podium. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, chosen second overall, sported a bow tie. Both got their due. Both welcomed Sam to the family. Robinson and Sam did a TV commercial together for a credit card company. Aaron Donald met Sam at ceremonies for the Lombardi and Nagurski awards. "Hes a cool guy," Donald said. "Hes a football player, he works his butt off and thats what you want. You want playmakers around you and hes a playmaker. Third-round pick Tre Mason, a running back from Auburn, said Sam was a "man of his own and hes entitled to do that." "Were a team and hes also a family member to me now." Sam will put on the pads later in the week when the team holds a three-day rookie orientation, much, if not all of it, closed to the media. The Rams drafted Sam even though they didnt need help at defensive end, where they have a pair of first-round picks as starters. Robert Quinn was second in the NFL with 19 sacks last season and Chris Long has been a standout since getting chosen second overall in 2008. But the Rams were well-stocked with picks, finishing with 11 selections, putting them in unique position to make history. "Shortly before we got to our pick, Michaels value as a football player was off the charts," Fisher said. "He has an opportunity now to come in and compete to try to make our team." Sam realizes its up to him to make the most of this chance, and he bristles at the naysayers who contend hes in the NFL only because he came out. "Will I make the cut?" he said, repeating a question. "You want to find out in a couple months, huh?" ' ' '