Dein erstes Forum » ddddWhen you double that with J

RIO DE JANEIRO -- U.S. womens water polo coach Adam Krikorian shook his head in disgust after an ugly turnover in the third. He put in five new swimmers after China scored in the fourth, and then clapped his hands at his bench as if trying for a late wake-up call.And it hardly mattered. The United States was in complete control right from the start, never in danger of losing to overmatched China. It turns out winning isnt the only thing for the defending world and Olympic champions.Were more concerned with how we play and trying to be as consistent as possible, Krikorian said after the United States 12-4 victory on Thursday. I dont think I saw that in the second half and when you play every other day, theres no reason to rest. Were getting plenty of rest on our off days and we just got to keep it into a high gear there.The United States improved to 36-2 in 2016 with its 18th straight victory, rolling to titles on three continents before beating Spain 11-4 in its Olympic opener on Tuesday. It has scored in double figures 17 times during its win streak, totaling 231 goals overall and outscoring opponents by an average of seven goals.Captain Maggie Steffens dismissed any notion of complacency as the U.S. tries to become the first country to win consecutive Olympic titles in womens water polo.Each game is a gold-medal game, Steffens said. Each game is an opportunity for us to represent the USA, and thats the motivation.Steffens scored three of her four goals as the United States jumped to a 7-1 lead at the break. The team grew more careless with the ball as the game went along, including the third-quarter turnover during a rare 6-on-4 power play that prompted Krikorians exasperated reaction.We had too many turnovers that game, U.S. attacker Kaleigh Gilchrist said. China capitalized on a few, but they could have capitalized on a lot more, and knowing as we go ahead opponents are going to try to look to do that, so we have to tighten a few things up.The United States only two losses so far this year are to Australia, 5-4 on May 26 in California and 5-4 on May 31 in China. The Aussie Stingers lost 8-7 to Italy on Thursday, a potentially costly result that could force them into a semifinal matchup with the United States.Australias Rowie Webster tied it at 7 with 2:37 to go, but Roberta Bianconi had a power-play goal for Italy with 34 seconds remaining.I think the game was won and lost in the extra-man goals that they scored and we potentially missed, Webster said.Australia faces winless Brazil on Saturday on the final day of the preliminary round. Italy, which leads Group A with four points, takes on Russia, Spain plays against China, and the United States faces Hungary. The quarterfinals begin Monday.Italys Giulia Gorlero, splashing the water at times in celebration or frustration, had 10 saves in the victory over the Aussies.Our match is very important for us, Golero said through a translator. But thats not enough. ... Our tournament starts in the quarterfinals.Also Thursday, Ekaterina Prokofyeva and Evgeniya Ivanova scored three goals apiece to lead Russia to a 14-7 win against Brazil, and Judith Forca Ariza scored in the fourth to help Spain hold on for an 11-10 victory over Hungary.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Wholesale Football Jerseys Throwback . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Custom Football Jerseys Throwback . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Clearance Football Jerseys Throwback . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Since arriving in Green Bay, Christine Michael hasnt had much to do except for read up on the playbook.The recently acquired running back looks as if hell finally get a chance to get a few carries on Monday night when the Packers visit the Philadelphia Eagles .For the first time in weeks, Green Bay might have two experienced running backs on the roster in Michael and James Starks.Establishing the run might help the Packers get off to the more productive starts that have eluded them the past two games.Theyre teaching me the game plan ... and getting me ready to go, said Michael, who was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks last week.Getting me in the game plan this week, a couple runs here, play action. Keeping it simple, but definitely trying to get my feet wet out there.Losers of four straight, the Packers (4-6) have at least been able to get the passing game going the past few weeks.Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdown passes to three interceptions over the past five games.But Green Bay has had to play catch-up in many of those games. A porous and injury-plagued secondary has been a problem especially in back-to-back blowout losses to Tennessee and Washington.The offense in those games has had slow starts, too. In six first-quarter possessions combined over the past two losses, the Packers have five three-and-outs and no points.Make more plays. This whole situation, theres not a special recipe, receiver Jordy Nelson said. Youve just got to make the plays and execute.A little balance could help, too.Starks returned two weeks ago from a knee injury that sidelined him for four games.Receiver Ty Montgomery has taken more snaps in the backfield, where he has had his moments as a runner and pass catcher.But the Packers still dont have a rushing touchdown from anyone other than Rodgers. Starting running back Eddie Lacy, who is out for the year with an ankle injury, is still the Packers leading rusher with 360 yards on 71 carries despite playing in just five games.Well, it definitelly changed a lot of the stuff that we like to do, Rodgers said about the impact of losing Lacy.ddddddddddddWhen you double that with James being out for a few weeks, definitely took us out of some of the stuff we wanted to do to start the season.At 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, Michael is a different kind of back from the physical Lacy. But Michaels 469 yards rushing on 117 carries and six touchdowns with Seattle would lead the Packers.That is why Michael has been spending most of his time catching up on the playbook.If Michael, Starks and Montgomery can start running the ball effectively early in games, that could help Green Bay set a tone while keeping the banged-up defense off the field to stay fresh.On the teams day off Monday, Michael came into Lambeau Field and spent a couple of hours cramming with position coach Ben Sirmans.Just ready to go man, I feel like its simple, Michael said. Its just football, you know what I mean? Just study it, give it my mind, just go out there and play.Game notes Coach Mike McCarthy announced that Lacy and CB Sam Shields would stay on injured reserve for the rest of the season, with the Packers planning to activate CB Makinton Dorleant from injured reserve for the Eagles game. NFL teams can designate one player to come off injured reserve. The Packers have been without their top cornerbacks in Shields (concussion) and Damarious Randall (groin) for much of the season. Quinten Rollins is coming back from a groin injury, and Demetri Goodson suffered a serious knee injury last week against Washington. ... G T.J. Lang (ankle) was a longshot to play on Monday, McCarthy said. Lang missed the Redskins game. ... LB Derrick Matthews was signed to the practice squad. Matthews was in Green Bay for part of training camp, and also spent some time last season on the Redskins practice squad.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . ' ' '