What Is The Club World Cup?

Frank Lampard and the rest of his team mates being greeted by their fans
from Japan

The European champions, Chelsea have traveled to Tokyo in Japan after their 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to make their debut in this year's FIFA club World cup.

And if you are a Chelsea fan or a football fan you're probably asking yourself what is the club World cup?

Well there is no shame not knowing what this tournament is, as the club World cup isn't exactly a very popular tournament around the World. I will do my best to explain to you what this tournament is about.

The club World cup is a football tournament ran by FIFA (football's governing body) in which seven champions from all six continents of the World compete against each other to become the World champions!

FIFA started the tournament back in the year 2000 in which it was staged in Brazil. Corinthians (Brazil) who were the hosts of the tournament won the tournament after defeating their rivals, Vasco Da Gama (Brazil) 4-3 on penalties. Corinthians are the first team that have won this tournament.

But fans had to wait until 2005 in which the club World cup would be back. FIFA had changed the trophy for 2005 and on wards in which they called it the Club World Championship Toyota Cup, as Toyota are sponsoring the tournament. Corinthians are the only team to have the old club World cup trophy.

The old trophy (left) and the latest trophy (Right)

As of 2005 the UEFA and CONMEBAL champions will be placed in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Ever since the tournament came back in 2005 it has always been staged in December just before Christmas. All Continents like UEFA for Europe had to agree having the World championship in December.

The tournament has only been hosted in three countries. They are Brazil (2000), Japan (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012) and United Arab Emirates (2009 and 2010). In 2013 Morocco will be the fourth country that has hosted the tournament and is planned to also host the 2014 edition.

English clubs In The Tournament

Manchester United and Liverpool are the only English teams to have been in the tournament before Chelsea.

Manchester United are the last and only English team to have won the club World cup. The red devils became the World Champions for the first time in 2008 after defeating Ecuadorian side, LDU Quito 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Wayne Rooney who was the top scorer of the 2008 club World cup with three goals.

Man Utd are the only English team to have won the tournament

Manchester United were also in the first edition of the World championship in 2000 but could not escape the group stage (group stage doesn't exist anymore in club World cup) as they finished the group in third place, top two places of each group would put you through.

In the 2005 club World cup hosted in Japan, Liverpool were the European Champions which put them in the World championship for the very first time. But they left Japan with empty hands as they lost to Sao Paulo (Brazil) 1-0.

Most Successful Club In The Tournament

Barcelona have won the trophy more than any other club winning the tournament twice in 2009 and 2011. In 2009 Barcelona beat Estudiantes from Argentina at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi when the tournament was hosted in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) for two years. Barcelona won it again in 2011 against Santos 4-0 when the tournament was back in Japan.

2012 Club World Cup

So the reason why Chelsea are in this year's tournament is because they had won the Champions League back in May which is required for a European team to enter the club World cup. The other six teams that are competing this year all won their Continent's trophy to enter this tournament.

The second favorites to win the tournament is Corinthians from Brazil as they won the 2012 Copa Libertadores from Argentina's Boca Juniors back in July. The Copa Libertadores is the South American version of the Champions League.

The other five teams competing are Auckland City, Sanfrecce Hiroshima (hosts), Monterrey, Al-Ahly and Ulsan Hyundai.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima will have a lot of their fans backing them in the tournament as they are the hosts. Hiroshima won the J.League in which the J.League is the top flight of Japanese football.

Auckland City are from New Zealand in which they beat Tefana (Tahiti) in the OFC Champions League back in May.

Monterrey will be Chelsea's first challenge in the tournament. Monterrey come from Mexico and are in the tournament from winning the CONCACAF Champions League.

Al-Ahly from Egypt won the CAF Champions League and Ulsan Hyundai from South Korea won the AFC Champions League.

The 2012 club World cup will be the first tournament to use the new goal line technology, as FIFA decided to try it out before the 2014 FIFA World cup in Brazil. Something for you football fans to remember when goal line technology will be used in every professional football match around the World.

The referee will be wearing an extra watch on his wrist, so if the ball crosses the line the referee will check his watch to see if it says "goal". This will be used if the attempt on goal was difficult to say for the referee.

The goal watch (right) should help referees out 

It'll be the third time Rafael Benitez will be managing a team in the club World cup. His first side was Liverpool in 2005 but departed empty handed and his second side was Inter Milan in 2010 in which his team beat TP Mazembe (Congo) 3-0.

Can Rafael Benitez get Chelsea to become World champions for the very first time in Chelsea's history?

We shell see if Chelsea can if they make the final on Sunday 16th December against Corinthians.

Football article by
Jamie Davies
Let's Talk Sport Writer

Follow Jamie and Let's Talk Sport on

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

2012 Tennis Review - Part 1

"Since the 2012 tennis season has wrapped up at the O2 arena in London once again, Jamie Davies reviews one memorable year of tennis from the Australian Open to Andy Murray's first Grand Slam victory at the US  Open. There will be different parts of the review on each major tennis competitions, so keep an eye out for more parts. Enjoy reading the review".

- Jamie Davies

Jamie's edited video of the Australian Open



2012 Australian Open (16th - 29th January)

As usual the tennis season started off in Melbourne, Australia where as the Formula 1 season starts off as well. As the season kicked off the first Grand Slam of 2012. 

It was a treat for the home fans as the double Grand Slam winner, Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) defeated World number 15, Andy Roddick (USA) at the Rod Lever arena after Roddick retired due to a hamstring injury but Hewitt was winning the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This was Roddick's third last Grand Slam and had never won in Australia before, the fast server's highest round was the semi-finals in 2003, 2005, 2007 & 2009.
Lleyton Hewitt was knocked out in the fourth round to Novak Djokovic (Ser), which was no surprise but Hewitt was applauded by the home fans after the match.

In the 4th round it was a massive shock for World number 6, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) as he was beaten by rank 24 in the World, Kei Nishikori (Jap) in full sets. 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. But in the quarter finals the Japanese's run was ended against Andy Murray (GB) in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

David Ferrer (Spa), Juan Del Potro (Arg) and Tomas Berdych (Cze) were the other three that went out of the quarter finals. Ferrer lost on straight sets to Djokovic, Del Potro was thumped by Roger Federer (Sui) and Berdych could only get one set past Rafael Nadal (Spa).

It was the 100th edition of the Australian Open. It was an historical Grand Slam with Andy Murray hoping to reach his third final for the third year running. But did not achieve as Murray was knocked out in the semi-finals to World number 1, Djokovic who won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open the previous year. 

It was a close match throughout as it was a maximum set match (5 sets). But in the final set Murray was broke in the tie-break and lost his place in the final to Djokovic. 

The second semi-final was between a very big rivalry which was the 16 Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer (Sui) and 10 Grand Slam winner, Rafael Nadal (Spa). When these two play each other it is anyone's match to win you just can't predict who's going to win. 

The funniest moment of the match and indeed the whole tournament was one of Federer's shots catched by one of the ball boys. The commentator even said that the ball boy was a "worthy of Ricky Pointing". Watch the video below...

Just hilarious!

The opening set was won by Federer but Nadal was not going to go down that easily. Nadal had a simple second set which is very unlikely from the Swiss. Third set went to it's second tie break, Nadal won the tie-break and went into the lead for the very first time in the match. Nadal won the 4th set to put his place into the Australian Open final for the 2nd time in three years, 2009 when Nadal beat Federer to win it for the first time.

Men's Singles Final (29th January)

The final of the men's singles final was between Novak Djokovic from Serbia and Rafael Nadal from Spain. At the time Djokovic was World number 1 and Nadal was World number 2 (used to be), the two best tennis players in the world meet for the 30th time.

The final was on for 5 hour and 53 minutes, which now holds the record of being the longest Grand Slam final in history.

The match had three tie-breaks, which were in the 1st, 4th and 5th set. Nadal won two of the tie-breaks and Djokovic sealed one of the tie-breaks which was the final and winning set.

Yes, Djokovic won the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. Yet again Nadal became the runner up to the Serbian for the third Grand Slam final in a row.

I don't know what everybody else would think of that final but I think to this day that the 2012 Australian Open final was the best Grand Slam final I ever watched since the 2008 Wimbledon men's final when Nadal stopped Federer's run of 5 Wimbledon titles in a row.

The next Grand Slam was the French Open which staged 4 months after the Australian Open. Keep an eye on my blogspot for the 2012 French Open review. Thanks for reading.

Tennis Review By
Jamie Davies
Let's Talk Sport Writer

Follow Jamie and Let's Talk Sport on:

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

Vettel Is The World Champion For The 3rd Year

Vettel On Top of The World With His Third World Championship

Sebastian Vettel (Ger) becomes the youngest driver to win three World championships in a row at the age of 25.

McLaren's Jenson Button (GB) won the Brazilian Grand Prix marking his third Grand Prix victory of the season (Australian Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix).

But the race was all about Sebastian Vettel and all of Red Bull's hardwork put in to get where they are now after becoming contenders in 2009.

Vettel crossed the line in 6th place which was enough to seal his third title. The race ended with a safety car after Paul Di Resta (GB) spun and hit the barrier with the back of his car on the last turn.

It was a huge scare for the World champion and the whole Red Bull team at the start of the race. On turn 4 Vettel was hit from the back of his car in which Williams' Bruno Senna (Bra) made contact with Vettel and future McLaren driver, Sergio Perez (Mex) was also involved in the incident.

Luckily for Vettel there was no threatening damage to the car and Vettel did a smart move in which he reversed the car while other cars were driving past. Vettel had a lot of work to do as he was in last position.

Senna, Perez and Senna's team mate, Pastor Maldonado (Ven) were all out of the race on the opening lap.

Championship contender, Fernando Alonso (Spa) had a great start to the race as he overtook his team mate, Felipe Massa (Bra) and Mark Webber (Aus) as he was able to move up the board needing to get a podium finish to have a chance of winning his third World title. Alonso used his main tactic that he has used all season which is overtaking 2 - 3 cars on the first turn.

Three laps into the race Vettel had just started warming up as he achieved the first fastest lap of the race.

Two laps later, Alonso nearly scuppered his chances as he went off the first turn and just missed the barrier and defended his position (4th) from Webber.

Romain Grosjean (Fra) has had a very eventful season for being involved with so many incidents and being responsible for nearly most of them. Well the Lotus driver ended his season with a smash into the barrier on lap 6 after slipping off the track. Grosjean ended the season in style.

10 laps later, Vettel was driving just like he did in Abu Dhabi earlier in November as he took over Kamui Kobayashai (Jap) and was not far behind Alonso.

On the 19th lap Hulkenberg took the lead for the very first time after overtaking Button on the first turn as Button's car locked up.

A few laps after Hulkenberg taking the lead, there was debris on the track which meant that the safety car was going to make its first appearance of the day. Hulkenberg and Button went in for their first pitstops as they had a massive gap from the chasers but with the safety car the gap was no more. During the safety car period Red Bull's car designer, Adrian Newey had a picture of Vettel's damage to the car that was damaged from the first lap. Race resumed on lap 29.

There was another scare for the World champion as Vettel's radio was not working which meant that he could not contact his team from the pits.

Two laps later Vettel went to the pits for some slick tyres but the tyres were not performing for him as he went back to the pits two laps after his slick tyre change and went for intermediate tyres.

There was another Kimi Raikkonen moment during the race in which we have seen a lot of surprising moments from the 2007 World champion. Raikkonen went off the track and saw a gap in the barrier (which is used if any near by accidents happen, can take damaged car through) which he thought would take him back to the track but unfortunately the gate was closed so the "iceman" had to turn back and go through the exit he came in. Good old Kimi.

On the 55th lap Hamilton and Hulkenberg caused an incident on turn 1. Hulkenberg lost control and started to slip which hit Hamilton and caused both cars to go off the track which put Hamilton out of the race his front left wheel was broken. Hamilton stopped the car in disappointment as he would of wanted to end his time at McLaren with a bang! Hulkenberg had to go to the pits for a drive through penalty.

With 8 laps to go until the chequered flag, Button was in the lead with Alonso 20 seconds behind, Alonso needed Button's position to win the World championship but Button's performance in recent wet races have been very impressive especially back in the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix (I'm sure most of you will remember).

With Schumacher driving his last ever race in his F1 career, the 7 time World champion moved out of the way to let Vettel pass and take 6th position. Vettel has said in interviews that Schumacher is an inspiration to him.

An inspiration: Schumacher (right) congratulating Vettel (left)

There was a lot of emotions for most drivers on race day. It was Lewis Hamilton's (GB) last drive for McLaren before joining Mercedes at the end of the year in which he would be replacing the 7 time World champion, Michael Schumacher (Ger) after being with McLaren at the age of 13.

Race day was Schumacher's last day in Formula 1 for the second time after rejoining F1 back in March 2010. But Schumacher has said that this would definately be the last time. Before the warm up lap the staff at Mercedes attached a flag to Schumacher's car saying "thank you" as Schumacher drove around the Sao Paulo circuit to say thank you to all the spectators and to all of his fans from around the world.

Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) is likely to have driven his last race of his F1 career as the former McLaren driver has no contract with any team for next season. It could also have been Kamui Kobayashai's (Jap) last race in F1 as the Japanese driver has no extended contract with Sauber and has been replaced by a new Mexican driver, Esteban Gutierrez (Mex) who will team up with Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) next season.

It was also Charles Pic's (Fra) last race for Marussia as he will be transferred to Caterham with Vitaly Petrov (Rus). Petrov finished the race in 11th place which is Petrov's highest finish of the season as it secured Caterham's final position in 10th place in the constructors champinship. Pic finished one place below the Russian which wasn't enough for Marussia to take 10th place, Pic's highest position of the season.
Very impressive from two of the slowest cars of Formula 1.

Petrov (back) will be delighted with his finish ahead
of Pic (front)

It has been an absolute fantastic season!

There were 8 different drivers winning at least one Grand Prix this season. They were Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Nico Rosberg, Sebastain Vettel, Mark Webber, Pastor Maldonado, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. Which is a new record.

Red Bull for the third year running have dominated the World and constructors championship. Will they do it for the fourth year running? We'll find out in next year's season.

New season starts in March as it kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne as usual.

FIA F1 World Championship Final Standings

FIA F1 Constructors Championship Final Standings

Race Report by
Jamie Davies
Let's Talk Sport writer

Follow Jamie and let's talk sport on:

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

Djokovic Ends the Year with Glory

Novak Djokovic (above) having a good look at his latest trophy

Novak Djokovic (Ser) wins the ATP World Tour final after defeating Roger Federer (Sui) in straight sets.

So Djokovic ends the year with a smile on his face after winning the last tournament of the season and year. But he had to overcome the champion of the tournament of the last two years to win the tournament.

It was a poor start from the World number 1 in the first opening games.

Two aces from Federer in the first game won him the opening game. Then in the second game Federer broke Djokovic to win the first break point of the match.

After the first two games Djokovic had not sealed a point, which was very unlikely from a World number 1.

In the fourth game, Djokovic had finally got a game under his belt after Federer came back from 15-40 down to come back to deuce but Federer still losing the set.

After a terrible start from the Serbian, Djokovic was starting to warm up. A magnificent come back put the set level to 5-5 after a rally of 23 in game 5, six deuces in game 9 and one break point each from both of the opponents.

Federer regained the lead in game 11 to be leading the set 6-5. Djokovic put it back level after coming from behind 30-0 and avoiding Federer to break and win the set.

The set went to tie break.

The tie break was tight all the way through just like the set was. A fantastic 90'c rotation from the Swiss put the ball past Djokovic and to put the tie break level to 6-6. The highlight of that shot was the slow motion of Djokovic's reaction after the point, hilarious!

Djokovic looking shocked after Federer's amazing shot

After two set points, Djokovic won the opening set of the match. Djokovic won the set 7-6 (8-6).

Set two was looking like a repeat of the start of the opening set. Federer broke Djokovic in the first game after six deuces, three game points from Djokovic and four break points from Federer.

But Djokovic had improved his performance in the opening games in the second set than he did in the opening games in the first set. Djokovic only got broke the once in the first three games than he got broke twice in the first set.

In game six of the second set, Federer caused the first double fault of the match and the only double fault of the match. But Federer did double the lead to 4-2.

It looked like Federer was going to win his first set of the match after being 5-3 up. But there is a reason why Djokovic is World number 1. Djokovic broke Federer's serve in game nine after being 15-40 down. Djokovic put it back level to 5-5. It was anyone's set.

Djokovic won his serve game to take the lead for the first time in the second set. Then in the twelfth game, two errors from Federer gave Djokovic the ultimate championship point. A crept in ball from Djokovic to Federer's right hand side of his court won Djokovic the match and the tournament.

The Serbian won the match in straight sets, 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.

Djokovic v Federer Match Statistics

The prize money this year for winning the tournament is $1,800,000 million and runner up prize money is $800,00.

It is Djokovic's second time winning the tournament. He last won it four years ago in 2008 against Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) in straight sets.

Federer had won the tournament in the last two years which was 2010 and 2011 but not this year as Federer bid to win it for the seventh time was denied.

Another successful year for the World number 1 starting the year with his third Australian Open success against Rafael Nadal (Spa), which was recorded as the longest Grand slam final match in history (5 hours and 53 minutes). Regaining top spot last week and to stay top spot until at least the end of the year and winning the World Tour. But Djokovic could of won two more Grand slams this year, the French open against Rafael Nadal and the US open against Andy Murray (GB).

The only success Federer has had this year was winning his seventh Wimbledon title against Andy Murray back in July. Federer was runner up in the Olympic tennis back in August against Murray. But Federer's performance is still good enough to get him a few more Grand slams.

It has been a great year of tennis! Tennis season returns in January 2013 at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Tennis report by Jamie Davies
Let's Talk Sport Writer











Follow Jamie and Let's Talk Sport on

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter      - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube  - /letstalksport655
E-mail       - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

Federer Reaches ATP Final In London

Roger Federer (above) proud of his victory

Roger Federer (Sui) books a place in the ATP World tour final in London after thrashing Andy Murray (GB) in straight sets.

Murray's chances of finishing the year as rank number 2 are demolished after losing to Federer on Sunday night.

After a very tight first set, Federer ran away with the second set by miles by winning the second set 6-2 and the opening set 7-6 (7-5).

It was looking good for the US Open champion at the very early stages of the match, as Murray broke Federer in the very first game and doubled the lead after game 2.

But in game 8 Federer broke Murray's serve for the first time in the match and put the first set level to four all.

The first set went to tie break. Federer did a great comeback to win the tie break after being 5-3 down. Federer won the tie break 7-5 and won the first set 7-6.

The second set was looking neck and neck just like the opening set. After the first two games Federer broke Murray for the first time in the second set after Murray was 40-0 up but Federer came back to win the third game and take control.

Federer then broke yet again to make it 5-2 in the 7th game. It was the 8th game of the second set with Federer having the serve, Murray had very little chance with the performance Federer had throughout the match.

Federer won the game, set and match by smashing the ball way past Murray giving him no chance to recover from his return. It was a big roar from the crowd but it probably could of been louder if Murray had won. Federer looked very delighted after the match point.

Federer will be bidding for his 7th World tour on Monday night against World number 1, Novak Djokovic (Ser). Federer has won the last 2 finals in 2010 and 2011 against Rafael Nadal (Spa) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra). Federer has won the other 4 finals in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Novak Djokovic last appeared and won the World tour finals back in 2008 when the tournament use to be staged in Shanghai, China. Djokovic has only won it the once.

So looking at the final between Federer and Djokovic, the match is going to look very close but I am predicting Federer to win this final and claim the tour for the 7th time. Reason why is becaue Federer has an outstanding history in this competition and comparing it to Djokovic he hasn't got a great history in the tournament. But Djokovic has yet again had a successful year with another Australian Open under his belt, and there is a good reason why his number 1 in the World.

Andy Murray (above) had a poor performance after the 1st set

Even though Murray ends his year with a defeat against Federer he has had the best year of his life even Murray said it in the press conference after the match. His first ever Grand slam at the US Open against Djokovic and his first Olympic gold medal at Wimbledon against Federer in straight sets after becoming runner up at Wimbledon in July. Let's hope next year Murray can get even bigger and win more Grand slams.

So, the final tennis match of 2012 is between rank number 1, Novak Djokovic and rank number 2, Roger Federer. Who will end the year with success. The final kicks off at 20:00 on Monday 12th November at the 02 arena.

Murray v Federer Match Statistics

Tennis match report by
Jamie Davies
Let's talk sport writer






Follow Jamie and let's talk sport on

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

Jamie's Sports Bonanza Episode 10 (final part)

The 3rd and final part of episode 10 in Jamie's sports bonanza series. In this part of episode 10 Jamie does his own gangnam style video, enjoy watching.

Follow Jamie and let's talk sport on

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk

Jamie's Sports Bonanza Episode 10 (part 2)

Part 2 of 3 of episode 10 in Jamie's sports bonanza!

Enjoy watching.

Follow Jamie Davies and let's talk sport on

Facebook - /LetsTalkSport
Twitter - @lets_talk_sport
YouTube - /letstalksport655
E-mail - jamie_simpson@live.co.uk