Macca

Yep, a bit of a non-event in the end GV ... well done to the Gunners all the same. That's 2 cups in a row for a team that gets criticised for not winning enough silverware. Anyway, this goal on the weekend by Messi (in the Copa del Rey Final) was something special ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAwEuOgI7yU

With the Blackhawks now through here is the schedule for the best of 7 finals ... all times AEST Game 1: Thursday, June 4 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 2: Sunday, June 7 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 3: Tuesday, June 9 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 4: Thursday, June 11 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 5: Sunday, June 14 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 6: Tuesday, June 16 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 7: Thursday, June 18 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am

FA Cup tonight (actually, tomorrow morning at 2.30am) Arsenal vs Aston Villa ... Preview & Match Facts

FIFA corruption scandal's best social media responses

This FIFA story is immense ... goes back over 20 years ... The Whistleblower World soccer rocked by U.S., Swiss arrests of officials for graft

Warriors through but we now have to wait over a week until game 1 ... Schedule (all times AEST) Game 1: - Fri. June 5, Cleveland at Golden State, 11.00 AM Game 2: Mon. June 8, Cleveland at Golden State, 10.00 AM Game 3: Wed. June 10, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 4: Fri. June 12, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 5: Mon, June 15, Cleveland at Golden State, 10.00 AM Game 6: Wed, June 17, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 7: Sat, June 20, Cleveland at Golden State, 11.00 AM

Did it easy in the end ... unless the Rockets can perform a miracle, the final against the Warriors could be a classic. It was the predicted match-up a long way out but nevertheless, it's been an eagerly anticipated match-up all the same. LeBron is looking great but Golden State has the mvp in Curry. I reckon we'll see at least 6 games in the final - hoping all the games are close from my point of view (as a neutral) ... a game 7 would be ideal too. .

I'm prepared to give the new rule change a go ... the PAT is a token point anyway in it's old form so making it harder (especially in inclement weather) might make coaches go for the 2 point conversion as a consequence (at least a fair bit more often) I've also got an inkling that people will get used to the rule change quite quickly once it's in operation. I also like the fact that both plays are "live" as well now. The rule change has been talked about for a few years now so I saw the move as an inevitable one anyway - I suppose I was ready for the change. Progressive thinking in sport has never bothered me and it's interesting that 30 of the 32 clubs voted for the change. Of course, whenever there's a rule change there's nearly always unintended consequences so at a guess, I reckon the kickers conversion rate from 33 yards might get worse (possibly because of the extra pressure?) We might see a few run back interceptions from those 2 point attempts as well ... blocked PAT attempts can be run back as well so there's quite a bit involved with the rule change. A maximum of 2 points only can be achieved from a run back (I believe) NFL rule change: Extra point moved back, defenses can score

Contador still leads by 2 seconds over Fabio Aru with Porte still 3rd (20 seconds behind the Spaniard) Tonight and tomorrow night the riders have a few climbs ahead of them ... here are the 2 profiles ... coverage begins tonight from 10.30pm (SBS & Eurosport)

Hoping for a Blackhawks/Rangers final but of course, anything could happen. I just reckon a Chicago vs New York final would be great for the sport.

A couple from Stone Temple Pilots (from their 2013 album 'High Rise) Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) replaced Scott Weiland in lead vocals ... to each his own but I reckon it is still a great sound.

Yeah, the West is harder to pick but I reckon the Cavs should beat Atlanta or Washington. As you said, injuries are playing a part. The Warriors best is probably better than the other 3 remaining teams in the West but you never know.

Spoken like a true Lakers fan there pantaloons I reckon Leno had the Clippers in nearly all of his monologues over the years - as soon as he his tonight show ended, the Clippers finally came good. Cavs through and now Houston have home court for game 7.

You're right up with the scene 'nb'... Good on ya! Jeff always had a great voice, I'm assuming his voice has held up over time yeah?

Contador holds a 2 second lead over Fabio Aru whilst Porte is 3rd (20 seconds behind the Spaniard) Things may hot up on the weekend though - the stages on Saturday and Sunday contains some reasonable climbs. I'll post up the profiles of both days on Saturday if I get a chance. The SBS coverage has been first rate as usual. Stage 5 highlights

No worries Earl ... never a problem. Whilst I'm here ... a couple of classics from Bowie ...

Here you go EH ...

He and Gisele might decide to have a nice little holiday in the Bahamas for a month. The Pats won't miss the draft picks going by how they normally go about their drafting (picking up good players late in the draft is their specialty isn't it ) As for the million dollar fine - chump change. They got their Super Bowl - that's all that counts, Gorgo

The Giro d'italia kicks off on Saturday night ... looks like SBS & SBS HD are covering every day of this Grand Tour - from about 10.30pm - 11.00pm (Cable Eurosport HD & Eurosport SD are also covering every day) Contador is even money favourite but our own Richie Porte is a firm short priced 2nd favourite and he might be a real show with the might of the Sky team behind him. Richie Porte confirmed as Team Sky’s leader in Giro d’Italia

So who gets through to the conference finals? ... it's sort of looking like the Blackhawks/Ducks & Capitals/Lightning but the Rangers might overhaul Washington. Montreal will need to get a hurry on too.

Spurs out! ... came down to the last play in game 7 - the Clippers now go on to play Houston. Cleveland will miss Kevin Love - I now believe that the Bulls can win their conference semi-final match-up. The other series' can go either way. Conference semi final match-ups Atlanta Hawks vs Washington Wizards Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers

I get what you're saying 'cfh' but I actually believe and have nearly always believed that those picking these draftees are doing the best they can, all things considered. They are making decisions that may or may not work out - all the expertise in the world still doesn't guarantee anything. The real skill in drafting is being able to pick the diamonds in the rough ... even so, Brady at pick 199 still doesn't make a whole lot of sense. All drafts have numerous players that end up being overrated and underrated. It's the same story every year in all the drafts. Our draft (the AFL's) is the most confusing of all (mainly because of the age of the draftees) In the NFL, most of these draftees are 22-23 years old and there are still numerous busts. Having said all that, I still accept the drafting process to a large degree and the results and picks that come out of these drafts are all quite fascinating. My expectations are always tempered though - 2 of the big questions out of this draft will be Winston & Mariota. Can both be great or could both be busts? Or any other result in between? As for GB's picks so far ... I've read up about Randall & Rollins but to make a prediction on how they're going to turn out would be a guess. Randall is a safety & Rollins is a CB but are either or both going to be productive players? Who knows? .

Discovered another new artist recently - Hiromi Euhara Here's a profile of her album 'Alive' on Allmusic.com Favourite track for me is 'Seeker' which can be found in full here Hiromi - Seeker (accompanied with Contrabass guitarist & Drummer) It's a much more fuller version of the song than the youtube clip below - I like both but prefer the fuller version.

The Wizards won again today so there's one tip that's highly questionable The Mavs, Spurs and Portland can all win their respective series' too. It's not all that clear cut really ... wouldn't surprise me if a team just gets hot and takes the title (outside of GSW & Cleveland) Rose and Bulls might surprise in the East whilst there's a number of teams in the West with claims.

It would be no real surprise if the Clippers knock the Spurs out but the other teams in the West would be mighty thankful if that happened. A 7 game series beckons but it's a toss up. Bit late with the tips but for what it's worth ... (likely winners in dark italics) Golden State to meet Cleveland in the final, EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards WESTERN CONFERENCE Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies