KZBlog » Sports

Team Saxo Astana Bank?

KZBlog — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:01:22 +0000

L’Equipe, a French sports website, has an interesting article up. They claim that the CFO of Team Astana wants to merge with Saxo Bank or Liquigas. What’s interesting about this story is that apparently no one else on Team Astana knew anything about this, although L’Equipe claims that Aidar Makhmetov, newly appointed as chief financial officer, has already contacted both teams.

Furthermore, it appears that Makhmetov offered Liquigas the use of Kazakhstan gas supply facilities in exchange for the use of their top rider, Vincenzo Nibali. Since when does the CFO of a sports team have the ability to negotiate with the oil and gas infrastructure of a country? (Velonation reports that Astana was willing to pay 3 million Euros to Liquigas and 1.5 million a year to Nibali for 2 years just to buy him outright.

Finally, should Saxobank agree, that would bring Alberto Contador back into the Astana orbit. Contador seemed to have pretty well burned his bridges with Astana, and vice versa. In fact recently, Team Astana released a statement that they supported Contador’s temporary suspension. So how Alberto would feel about being merged back into the team, I don’t know. And how Vinokourov, who plans to retire next year and will likely be given a management role, would feel about Contador coming back or these machinations happening without his knowledge is unclear.

I suspect, however, that either this will all turn out to be a misunderstanding or that any offers will be withdrawn.

Throw the Kitchen Sink at Kazakhstan

KZBlog — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:57:16 +0000

Just a funny quote from the head of Sri Lanka’s Rugby Selection Committee on an upcoming game with Kazakhstan

Asked of the enormity of the task at hand against Kazakhstan at Almaty, Jayasekera said that Sri Lanka would only stand a chance if they were to effectively address the shortcomings displayed against HK. The former Sri Lanka centre added that Sean Wijesingha’s side will have no alternative but to throw undermount kitchen sinks at Kazakhstan next week in an effort to register a rare win which would ensure their place in the top group in 2012, as they are not likely to prevail against Japan at Colombo on May 21.

Or maybe it’s the journalist who made up this phrasing since it isn’t a direct quote. Anyway Kazakhstan side, be careful of flying sinks and stoves and ovens and possibly blenders.

Billiards is Not Pool

KZBlog — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:22:13 +0000

I finally got coerced into playing billiards the other day. I’ve tried to avoid it after hearing how hard it is and because the whole thing is too confusing. I had always thought billiards was the game with only two or three balls. But it turns out that’s British billiards; Russian billiards is a whole other thing. As an American I am of course mainly familiar with pool, where all the balls are different colors, making the whole thing much easier to figure out.

But the other day at a restaurant I got cajoled and harassed and dared and eventually almost pushed to the billiards table. The table is bigger, meaning you often have to hit the balls harder but accurately. And the pockets are basically the same size as the balls, making sinking the balls harder.

But billiard supplies an interesting challenge because basically you can sink any ball using any other ball as a cue ball. So you have thousands of possible shots laid out on the table before you (15! I believe). That makes it easier to sink a ball, but it also makes finding the best shot and the best strategy for the next shot a serious challenge. It seems to me that anyone can be decent at Russian billiards but few can be great.

Vino Shines

KZBlog — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:11:28 +0000

Without international stars Alberto Contador or Lance Armstrong among their ranks, Team Astana hasn’t been getting as much world press for their wins. But Kazakhstan-born star Alexandre Vinokurov has actually been doing his team proud. Maybe because he announced that this will be his last season or maybe because he no longer plays support to bigger names, Vino has been quietly winning.

He just won the third stage of the Tour de Romadie, putting him in second place overall. He already tok second in the Clasica de San Sebastian and first in the Liège–Bastogne–Liège. And while Roman Kreuziger, from the Czech Republic, will probably be the team’s lead rider in the Tour d’Italia, rumour has it the Tour de France will be given to Vino.

It’s too bad that Team Astana has been hit by so many doping scandals, starting in April of 2007 when Matthias Kessler tested positive for testosterone in Charleroi (Probably didn’t use the best testosterone cream, if he was trying to impress his wife). And that same year Vinokurov tested positive for doping, leading to his being fired from the team and Astana missing the Tour de France. I think Vino still denies the charge, but in any case one hopes that he is being extra-careful in his last year as a cyclist so his 2011 victories will never be challenged. And hopefully his triumphs will encourage more Kazakhstani cyclists so that Team Astana, as the only national team in professional cycling, will be a truly national team.

Not Much Worse

KZBlog — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:28:00 +0000

4-0. That was the final score of Germany vs. Kazakhstan Saturday. 3 in the first half, including one in the first four minutes and one in the last minute of the first half. In the second half, Germany relaxed and just tried to keep the Kazakhstan side scoreless, although Klose scored one more.

As Sports.kz points out in their article Class is class [RU], it’s not so much that Kazakhstan lost as Germany won. And 4-0 is not a bad showing for our boys:

“Experts” may draw conclusions and begin “attacks” on the head coach. Optimists will look to the absence of some players and lack of teamwork, as the reason for the defeat with a large score. The rest will wait for the next away team to come to Kazakhstan, an easier opponent than the three-time world cup winners.

Worse Than 3-0?

KZBlog — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:40:29 +0000

Saturday is the big game. Kazakhstan and Germany for the World Cup qualifiers. It’s probably not much of a surprise that the ESPN Preview doesn’t look good for Kazakhstan. So far Kazakhstan hasn’t a won a game in their group (Germany, Austria, Turkey, Belgium and Azerbaijan) and Germany hasn’t lost a game.

I was surprised that the named Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev the player to watch:

An attacking midfielder and the creative heartbeat of the national team, Zhumaskaliyev is the top international scorer in Kazakhstan’s ranks, with six goals from 53 caps over the past ten years. Last season, he was named the Kazakhstan Premier League’s Player of the Year after captaining FC Torbol to a first ever title, netting 15 goals along the way. He netted the biggest goal in his country’s history when, in 2007, his header handed the side a shock 2-1 victory over Serbia.

I always keep my eye on Ostepenko personally.

Odds are 1.02 for a Germany win and they’re predicting a worse score than the (quite respectable) 3-0 defeat last time they met in Astana.

Winter Games Opened Yesterday

KZBlog — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:03:18 +0000

The Opening Ceremonies of the 7th Asian Winter Games yesterday went very well. Still waiting for video of the proceedings to go up online somewhere. The ceremony definitely felt reminiscent of the Beijing and Vancouver Olympics opening ceremonies. I guess that giant floor video-screens and pre-recorded clips that tell the history of the nation in poetic terms are with us to stay. There were some new effects like making large parts of the stage disappear and then reappear. The parade of nations was very good, and I liked particularly the floor effect. As each nation paraded in, they showed a graphic in the middle of the floor that represented that country.

I do want to note that the commentators were awful. They never stopped talking except during the national anthem and the President’s speech. The most egregious violations were when one of them said, “OK let’s listen to the beautiful voice of this opera singer,” and then thirty seconds later began talking again. And when they sang along with one of the songs, badly. Which led me to believe that the out-of-tune singing was part of the actual ceremony.

In any case, the games are on, and with a few friendly hockey match victories under our belt, let’s go Kazakhstan!

Of course, the most important event will be the selection of Miss Asian Games, on 1 Feb in Almaty:

When and Where to See Kazakh Sportsmen?

KZBlog — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:10:24 +0000

Liter.kz has a schedule up of which events Kazakhstani sportsmen will compete in in the Asian Winter Games in Almaty/Astana.

The list is in Russian, the Google Translate version is under the cut.

January 28
Ice Hockey. Men, Astana (DS “Kazakhstan”) Kazakhstan – North Korea
Ice Hockey. Women, Almaty (DS “Baluan Sholak”) Kazakhstan – North Korea

January 29
Ice Hockey. Women, Almaty (DS “Baluan Sholak”)
Kazakhstan – Korea

January 30
The opening ceremony of the Winter Asian Games. Astana (Astana Arena)

January 31
Ice Hockey. Women, Almaty (DS “Baluan Sholak”) Kazakhstan – Japan
Skating (5000 m). Men, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Skating (3000 m). Women, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Short track (1500 m). Men. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Short track (1500 m). Women. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Alpine skiing (downhill). Men. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Alpine skiing (downhill). Women. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Freestyle (mogul). Men. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Freestyle (mogul). Women. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Jumping on the ski jumping (K-125). Men, Almaty (International complex Hills)
Ski race (1,6 km classic sprint course). Men, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Ski race (1,2 km classic sprint course). Women, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (Sprint 7,5 km). Women, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (sprint). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (sprint). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)

February 1
Skating (500 m). Men, Astana (indoor skating rink)
Skating (500 m). Women, Astana (indoor skating rink)
Short track (500 m). Men, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Short track (500 m). Women, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Ice Hockey. Men, Astana (DS “Kazakhstan”) Kazakhstan – China
Downhill Skiing (supergiant). Men. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Downhill Skiing (supergiant). Women. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Freestyle (acrobatics). Men. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Freestyle (acrobatics). Women. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Ski racing (team sprint 1.6 miles). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Ski racing (team sprint 1.2 miles). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (10 km sprint). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)

February 2
Speed Skating (mass start 35 laps). Men, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Speed Skating (mass start 25 laps). Women, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Short track (1000 m). Men, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Short track (1000 m). Women, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Short track (5000 m relay). Men, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Short track (3000 m relay). Women, Astana (Republican cycle track)
Jumping on the ski jumping (K-95). Men, Almaty (International complex Hills)
Cross-country skiing (15 km free lift). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Cross-country skiing (10 km free lift). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (Poor 12,5 km). Men, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (middle distance). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (middle distance). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)

February 3
Figure skating (short dance). Couples. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Figure Skating (short program). Couples. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Figure Skating (short program). Men. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Ice Hockey. Men, Astana (DS “Kazakhstan”)
Kazakhstan – Keith. Taipei
Ice Hockey. Women, Almaty (DS “Baluan Sholak”)
Kazakhstan – China
Downhill Skiing (superkombinatsiya). Men. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Freestyle (parallel mogul). Men. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Freestyle (parallel mogul). Women. Almaty (UK Tabagan)
Cross-country skiing (10 km classic course). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Cross-country skiing (5 km classic course). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (15 km individual race). Women, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (long distance). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (long distance). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Bandy. Men, Almaty (skating rink Medeo) Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan

February 4
Skating (1500 m). Men, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Skating (1500 m). Women, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Figure Skating (short program). Women. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Figure skating (any program). Men. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Ice Hockey. Men, Astana (DS “Kazakhstan”) Kazakhstan – Korea
Downhill Skiing (superkombinatsii). Women. Almaty (SB Shymbulak)
Jumping on the ski jumping (K-125 team). Men, Almaty (International complex Hills)
Biathlon (20 km individual race). Men, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Bandy. Men, Almaty (skating rink Medeo) Kazakhstan – Mongolia

February 5
Skating (10 000 m). Men, Astana (indoor skating rink)
Skating (5,000 m). Women, Astana (indoor skating rink)
Figure skating (any program). Couples. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Figure skating (any program). Women. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Figure skating (free dance). Couples. Astana (Republican cycle track)
Cross-country skiing (relay 4 to 10 km). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Cross-country skiing (relay 4 to 5 km). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (relay 4 to 6 km). Women, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (relay). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Orienteering on skis (relay). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)

February 6

Speed Skating (team race). Men, Astana (Indoor skating rink)
Speed Skating (team race). Women, Astana (indoor skating rink)
Figure skating (demonstration speech). Astana (Republican cycle track)
Ice Hockey. Men, Astana (DS “Kazakhstan”) Kazakhstan – Japan
Cross-country skiing (30 km classic course). Men, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Cross-country skiing (15 km classic course). Women, Almaty (Cross-biathlon stadium)
Biathlon (relay 4 to 7.5 km). Men, Almaty (skiing, biathlon stadium)
Bandy. Men, Almaty (skating rink Medeo)

Be Respectful of Others, But Only for Asian Games

KZBlog — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:42:41 +0000

The Organizing Committee of the Asian Winter Games in Kazahstan (which is a Joint stock company interestingly enough–is it supposed to make a profit?) has announced temporary new rules for spectators in stadiums during the Asian Winter Games.

I was amused by the fact that the rules are pretty reasonable. Be respectful of others, don’t interfere in play, no drinking or drugs. So why are they only temporary? What exactly has changed for the Winter Games? And why do we always put our best face on for international events and spectators but not for each other? Is the thought that we should be disrespectful to fellow Kazakhstani but nice only to foreigners? Sort of a strange mentality.

Asian Games Torch

KZBlog — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:28:13 +0000

KazInform has a little map up of when the torch will be where. It arrives in Almaty today and will be sent all around Kazakhstan before arriving in Astana on the 30th of January for the opening ceremonies. The map is in Russian, but it shows the cities of Kazakhstan and the date next to them. Pretty straightforward.

There’s also a scheme of the entourage that will follow the torch bearers around: 11 cars. That’s more than usually accompany the Prime Minister or the President! And apparently for every one runner there are 6 “torch protectors”, whose job is presumably to make sure the flame stays lit, it doesn’t run out of gas, and so on. As opposed to armed guards.