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host Portugal in the 2004 European Championship.
HULL, England -- Lukas Podolski scored two goals for the second straight match as Arsenal beat Hull 3-0 on Sunday to move a step closer to securing the final Champions League place in the Premier League. Authentic Wholesale Nike Shoes . Arsenals finishing was clinical at the KC Stadium, with Aaron Ramsey setting the visitors on their way in the 31st minute before Podolski picked up where he left off in the 3-1 win over West Ham on Tuesday. The Germany international ran onto Ramseys chest-down and rifled a low shot into the corner on the stroke of halftime and sealed victory in the 54th when Hull goalkeeper Steve Harper deflected a close-range shot from Ramsey into Podolskis path. The result moved Arsenal to 70 points -- one clear of Everton, which beat Manchester United 2-0 later Sunday -- and will boost belief after what was a rehearsal for next months FA Cup final. "We have beaten Hull twice this season, but it is a cup final and you cannot take anything for granted," Ramsey said, "but we will go into that game confident in our ability. "If we do well at the end of this season, it could be our most successful for many years." After a winless run of six games that knocked Arsenal out of title contention, Arsene Wengers side appears to be back in form just in time to clinch a 17th straight campaign in the Champions League. Ramsey is back fit and Mesut Ozil returned to the starting lineup against Hull, giving Arsenal attacks more fizz and precision. Podolski is also getting a run in the starting team and he is rewarding Wenger with goals. "We have had to cope to five six players all out at the same time and we have done as well as we can," Wenger said. "You live in the real world." After Ramsey completed a flowing team move with a low strike from Santi Cazorlas short pass, Podolski delivered another devastating finish after Ramsey brought down a long pass from Olivier Giroud. Ramsey gave Hulls defence no peace with his foraging runs and he was picked out by Cazorla with another, the Wales midfielder having a shot saved by Harper. The ball rebounded out to Podolski, who made no mistake. Cheap Authentic Nike Shoes Wholesale .com) - Damian Lillard poured in 40 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with 11 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-111, in overtime on Tuesday. Wholesale Nike Shoes Free Shipping .com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday. LISBON, Portugal -- Cristiano Ronaldo has two Champions League winner medals to show off along with his two world player of the year awards. That is, when hes done showing off his ripped physique. Ronaldos penalty at the end of extra time Saturday sealed a 4-1 victory for Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid, which led deep into stoppage time after 90 minutes. The 29-year-old Portuguese star then ripped off his shirt in celebration and struck a pose showing off his muscles. Soon, Ronaldo was being hugged by Portugals state president, Anibal Cavaco Silva, and patted on the back by Spains King Juan Carlos before collecting his medal from UEFA President Michel Platini -- who also hugged him. Just another night of Ronaldo being soccers biggest showman and undisputed current best player. "Since day one at the club Ive felt ready for this," said the Madrid star after helping end the clubs wait since 2002 for a coveted 10th European title in his fifth season there. "The pressure is making me a better player. It was worth risking (my injury) since were champions," Ronaldo told reporters. The Madrid star now heads to Brazil to cap his stellar season at the World Cup, where Group G rivals Germany, the United States and Ghana await him. Ronaldo will arrive with confidence peaking, even if his finishing fell from his own absurdly high standards Saturday. His 51st goal of the season came from his ninth attempt, including two trademark free kicks which tested Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois within his limits. One missed second-half chance seemed scripted for Ronaldo: hanging high to meet a Sergio Ramos cross, neck muscles tightening to drive his forehead at the ball. An untypically tame connection glanced tthe ball wide. Discount Nike Shoes. Six years ago, in his first Champions League final, Ronaldo met the moment and ball to arrow his header into Chelseas goal and give Manchester United the lead in Moscow. The eventual manner of victory in 2008 was as dramatic as Saturdays proved. Then, Ronaldo was the only Man United player to have his penalty saved in a shootout, before Chelsea captain John Terry struck a post with the potentially decisive kick. When Edwin van der Sar sealed victory with a save, Ronaldo lay crying in the centre circle alone as teammates raced toward the goalkeeper. Still, Man Uniteds European title helped propel Ronaldo over great rival Lionel Messi in January 2009 to win his first FIFA world player award. Messi beat Ronaldo in the next Champions League final, scoring in Barcelonas 2-0 win. That night in Rome announced Messis rise above Ronaldo in footballs firmament. Confirmation came with Messis election to the FIFA honour for an unprecedented four straight years. Ronaldo stopped the streak in January on another tearful evening. His young son Cristiano stood beside him on stage and Pele also wept at this shoulder. The accolade was acclaimed as reward for hard work to hone his body and raise an already prolific scoring record. There were no tears Saturday, and Ronaldo was at the heart of the party. It was in the same Stadium of Light in Lisbon that Ronaldo lost in his first major final -- a stunning 1-0 upset for Greece over host Portugal in the 2004 European Championship. With this measure of redemption, Ronaldo closed on the three Champions League titles held by 26-year-old Messi. The World Cup stage offers Ronaldo the stage to show he can also close the gap in world player honours. ' ' '
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