Tag: Germany

Pyeongchang 2018: Men’s luge contenders David Gleirscher and Felix Loch personified the fine line between success and failure at the Olympic Games.

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The men’s luge final ended in dramatic fashion to show us all both the joy and despair that comes with competing at the Olympic Games.

David Gleirscher became the first Austrian in 50 years to win the gold medal in this event with a superb and faultless final run.

The 23-year-old, who is making his Olympic debut in Pyeongchang, has failed to end on the podium in any World Cup events leading up to the games.

Gleirscher started his final run in third place, with many predicting that leader Felix Loch would hold on to the gold.

The 28-year-old German was hoping to equal Georg Hackl’s record of winning three straight luge gold medals and looked well on course to do just that after his first three attempts.

However, after clipping the wall halfway through his final run, Loch ended up with nothing at all, finishing in fifth place. Whilst Gleirscher celebrated with his Austrian teammates, the German was inconsolable- sitting at the end of the track with his head in his hands.

Events such as the Luge can be won and lost by the slightest error. There is a fine line between success and failure. Four years of hard work and dedication can be ruined in less than a thousandth of a second as you fly down the track.

The secret to success is a simple one: Consistency. Chris Mazdzer did just that. Four clean runs resulted in him becoming the first American to win a medal in this event.

Elsewhere in the snowboarding, Red Gerard became the first Winter Olympic champion to be born this century.

The 17-year old produced a clean run in his final attempt and is now the second youngest athlete to ever win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics.

MEDAL WINNERS: DAY TWO

Men’s luge: Gold- David Gleirscher (AUSTRIA), Chris Mazdzer (USA), Johannes Ludwig (GERMANY)

Men’s skiathlon: Gold- Simen Hegstad Kruger (NORWAY), Silver- Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NORWAY), Bronze- Hans Christer Holund (NORWAY)

Women’s moguls: Gold- Perrine Laffont (FRANCE), Silver- Justine Dufour-Lapointe (CANADA), Bronze- Yulia Galysheva (KAZAKHSTAN)

Men’s 10km biathlon sprint: Gold- Arnd Peiffer (GERMANY), Silver- Michal Krcmar (CZECH REPUBLIC), Bronze- Dominik Windisch (ITALY)

Men’s 5,000m speed skating:  Gold- Sven Kramer (NETHERLANDS), Silver- Ted-Jan Bloemen (CANADA), Bronze- Sverre Lunde Pedersen (NORWAY)

Men’s slopestyle: Gold- Red Gerard (USA), Silver- Max Parrot (CANADA), Bronze- Mark McMorris (CANADA)

MLS Daily: Bastian Schweinsteiger’s move to Chicago Fire is a scalp not just for the club, but also the league.

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The former Germany captain has won the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, multiple Bundesliga titles and the FA Cup during what has been a hugely successful career.

Chicago Fire have today announced that they are signing Bastian Schweinsteiger from Manchester United.

The 32-year old midfielder will complete his move to the United States after he’s obtained a VISA and passed a medical.

After a torrid two seasons at Old Trafford, the former German international will be hoping to reignite his career over in the MLS; a league that will only benefit from his imminent arrival.

Unlike big names from the past like Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba, Schweinsteiger is still at an age where he could play for another five seasons if he wanted too, should he stay fit.

This makes him perhaps the biggest marquee signing from Europe for some time. The former Bayern Munich man could easily become the new face of MLS, should he rediscover the form that made him one of the best holding midfielders on the planet.

He will also boost the interest in the league both in the United States and in Germany. Fans will flock into stadiums to see him play. German networks will want to show live matches and provide additional coverage to a larger worldwide audience. His face on the advertising boards will only be a huge plus for the MLS marketing team, as it continues to compete with the Chinese Super League.

Moving to Chicago of all teams will give Schweinsteiger the chance to really showcase his talent for the whole world to see. Where he was fifth or even sixth choice at Manchester United, he is going to be number one on Veljko Paunović’s team sheet.

The Chicago Head Coach has spoken to the media about Fire’s new signing, and claims he cannot wait to start working with him.

“His immense expereince at the highest levels of this sport will be a great benefit to this squad of players,” Paunović said.

“Bastian will help with our team’s organisation and have an impact on our build up play towards the final third thanks to his vision, creativity and ability to score goals.”

Chicago Fire’s General Manager Nelson Rodríguez added: “This is a very big day for our club and I believe for the MLS after acquiring one of our sports great champions.

“Bastian isn’t just here because of his pedigree, but also because we believe he represents our club’s values.”

The signing of Schweinsteiger further showcases just how far the MLS has come in recent years. It finally looks like players aren’t moving across to America for a final ‘pay-day’. They actually believe the MLS is becoming a competitive league that wets their appetite.

Manchester United fans weren’t been too pleased with the treatment the German received at the Premier League club, especially under Jose Mourinho. He failed to make a single appearance in the league this season, meaning he leaves after playing just 18 times in a Red Devils shirt since his arrival back in July 2015.

Germany Head Coach Joachim Löw said in his press conference today that the midfielder was not given a chance to show his full potential at United, and that is was a shame he couldn’t light up the Premier League just like he had the Bundesliga

Across the pond however, fans are beginning to feel rather excited about their new man. Jerseys with the German’s name on the back are already selling, and people are calling it the ‘greatest signing in Chicago Fire’s history.’

Schweinsteiger could make his debut at Toyota Park on Saturday 1st April, where Chicago Fire host Montreal Impact.