pre-tournament

David Alvarez's long-range strike in the 94th minute sealed a surprising place in the knockout round for the unfancied co-hosts and eliminated a Senegal side rated among the pre-tournament favourites.

Demba Ba poised for early return after Equatorial Guinea stun Senegal 2012

The world No3 described talk of a strike as "nonsense" when it was first posited by Nadal and his lieutenant Andy Murray at the US Open in September and, on arrival here, he had suggested the regular pre-tournament players' meeting would be a quick one, with little of note on the agenda.

Rafael Nadal aims criticism at Roger Federer over lack of support 2012

Aside from that little pre-tournament booster, the reasons for Germany to not feel as overawed by the Group B challenge are manifold.

Euro 2012: Germany and Holland renew historic rivalry in Group B 2011

As for the Smit‑Du Plessis issue, the line is that both men were sat down pre-tournament and Smit was told he was getting the start against Wales, after which it was an open affair.

South Africa fly from Tri-Nations flops to World Cup wonders in a month 2011

Scotland's pre-tournament profile has been positively subterranean, while Wales may have to beat South Africa this weekend to ensure their pool qualification.

Rugby World Cup 2011: All Blacks hold key to New Zealand's wellbeing | Robert Kitson 2011

For McIlroy, the pre-tournament optimism has been transformed into post-tournament trepidation.

Brendan Steele and Jason Dufner in lead after third round of US PGA 2011

A series of injuries had limited him to 15 starts for the club in that campaign and he disappointed when picked for England's pre-tournament warm-up games with Mexico and Japan.

I should have taken Theo Walcott to World Cup, admits Fabio Capello 2011

After the tournament starts, all that pre-tournament bracketology about regular-season records affecting seeding begins to seem distant and quaint.

More the merrier in the NCAA tourney? Maybe yes, maybe no 2010

Twice this spring in two pre-tournament friendlies, the U.S. team used its superior speed and strength on the wings to overpower Japan, shutting them out both times 2-0.

The Abby Wambach Show Matthew Futterman 2011

India, the pre-tournament favorite, faces a tough test when it plays host to Australia at Ahmedabad on Thursday, but, with homefield advantage, India, the tournament's leading run-scorer, is worth backing at around 7/2 to lift the trophy.

Tip of the Day 2011