Denmark and Germany Win Group B Openers

With EURO 2012 under way, many eagerly awaited the opening games of Group B. The group commonly referred to as the Group of Death saw Denmark square off against the Netherlands and Portugal play Germany.

Michael Krohn-Delhi celebrates after scoring in the 24th minute. (Carl Recine)

With the other three teams among the favorites to win the tournament, Denmark was the clear underdog of the group. However, they didn't let that show against the Netherlands. In the 24th minute, the Danes caught a break when the ball came loose in the box. Michael Krohn-Delhi found the ball, dribbled around two Dutch defenders, and buried the tough angle shot. The Dutch had countless opportunities to tie, but they were all either off target or saved by Stephan Andersen. Their best opportunity came following a poor turnover by Andersen. Arjen Robben's left-footed blast struck the post. The Danes did a good job holding possession and did enough to hold on to pull off the colossal upset.

Mario Gomez celebrates his game-winning header in the 72nd minute. (Martin Meissner)

With Portugal and Germany on tap, we hoped we were in for a great match and neither side disappointed. For the first 70 minutes, both sides had quality opportunities, but struggled to finish. German coach Joachim Loew decided he would try subbing veteran striker Miroslav Klose for Mario Gomez. Just then, the Germans had an opportunity. Sami Khedira sent a cross into the box that was deflected off a Portuguese defender. The ball found Gomez's head, and he was able to square his body in time to bury it. The Portuguese desperately tried to find an equalizer. They had a plethora of opportunities, but they all went begging. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came up with two stellar saves late to help seal the win. The Germans were the better side, but it was a hard fought battle from start to finish.

The Group of Death received a big shakeup right from the start. Portugal and the Netherlands both have zero points and will likely need to win both of their final games to have a shot at advancing. Denmark, who no one gave a chance in this group, now has three points and is confident to play spoiler to a couple more tournament favorites. The Germans have to be pleased earning three points as well from their opening game. Group B's next matches will take place on Wednesday, June 13.

Six Mariners Pitchers Combine For No-Hitter

Mariners starting pitcher Kevin Millwood on the mound. (Otto Greule, Jr.)

No pitcher wants to leave his start early when he has a no-hitter going. Just think about Johan Santana last weekend. Despite his pitch count for the game, he was determined to finish what he started. Probably the only way you can get a pitcher to leave the game if he has a no-hitter going is injury. Unfortunately, that is what happened to Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kevin Millwood.

Millwood was on the mound tonight for the Mariners facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had his stuff working tonight. Through six innings, Millwood had given up no hits, while walking just one batter and striking out six. While warming up prior to the seventh inning, he felt a twinge in his groin. Milwood felt as though he had no choice but to walk off the field.

Over the next three innings, the Mariners used five relievers in their effort to preserve Millwood's no-hitter. In the eighth inning, the Dodgers earned a pair of leadoff walk. A sacrifice moved the runners to second and third with just one out. The Mariners elected to bring in demoted closer Brandon League. League was clutch getting A.J. Ellis to line out and then struck out Tony Gwynn to end the threat. Tom Wilhelmsen came in closed out the no-hitter in the ninth. It wasn't necessarily pretty, but they got the job done. The combined no-hitter was the tenth in MLB history. The combined pitchers tonight for the Mariners were Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen. These Mariners deserve to be commended. They picked each other up when they needed to. They demonstrated true team spirit and effort in their historic feat.

Young Giants Fan Sent Brandon Jacobs $3.36 to Stay

Letter and money sent from 6-year-old Joe Armento. (@GatorBoy45)

6-year-old Joe Armento is a huge New York Giants. He couldn't understand why Brandon Jacobs was no longer going to play for his team. Joe reminded his mother that the Giants are of course the reigning Super Bowl champions. His mother informed him that the Giants didn't have the money to keep Jacobs. That is when Joe decided to do his part to help out his favorite team. He emptied his piggy bank. Joe sent all of his $3.36 he had and a letter typed by his mother to Brandon Jacobs.

Jacobs was moved deeply by the young boy's efforts. He tweeted, "I almost cried; I am still trying to hold it in. I may have to pay him a surprise visit." He also tweeted a picture of the letter and money. Jacobs plans on doing something with Joe as soon as he returns to New Jersey.

This is the type of story that makes me proud to be a sports fanatic and blogger. This boy gave all he had monetarily to help his favorite team and one of their players. Jacobs was understandably moved by the youngster's gesture. His plan to do something with boy shows he really cares. This is a display of true fandom demonstrated in the proper way. No matter who your favorite team is, you have to admire young Joe Armento and his love for the Giants.

Thunder Earn First NBA Title Appearance Since Relocation

Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have plenty to be excited about. (Sue Ogrocki)

After winning Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs became just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 20 games in a row. Experts and analysts were calling them unbeatable and the complete package. I guess the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't get the memo or buy into it. They dominated the Spurs in Game 3 and closed out Games 4 and 5 exquisitely to take a 3-2 advantage, heading into Game 6 back in San Antonio.

The Spurs knew the game was a must-win, and they displayed it from the onset. In the first half, they basically had their way offensively and forced many turnovers as a result. The Spurs advantage at the half was 15 points. However, the Thunder came out in the second half looking like a different team. They outscored the Spurs 59-36 from that point on. Kevin Durant led the way with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Russell Westbrook added 25 emphatic points.

The fact that the Thunder basically swept a Spurs team who had just won 20 games in a row is remarkable. What is even more incredible is when you consider where this franchise was just a few years ago. Three seasons ago, they started out 3-29, on pace for the worst record in NBA history. Add in the fact in the fact that in the playoffs, the Thunder beat they the only three Western Conference teams to reach the NBA Finals since 1998, the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Spurs. It is extraordinary what they have accomplished to get to this point. Now, they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals. No matter who they play in the NBA Finals, you can be assured that this young team and their enthused fan base will be ready to put forth their best.

Celtics Take Crucial Game 5 Behind Garnett and Pierce

Kevin Garnett helped lead the Celtics to their Game 5 win. (Mike Ehrmann)

When the Miami Heat came from behind in Game 2 to win, they took a commanding 2-0 lead and all the foreseeable momentum to Boston. My how the tables have turned since then. In Games 3 & 4, the Celtics took large leads early and demonstrated poise as they held on to level the series at two games a piece. Tonight, the series shifted back to Miami for the decisive Game 5.

The Heat came out strong in the first quarter, led by LeBron James. The Celtics struggled on the offensive end, as the Heat built the lead to as much as 11 in the first quarter. Midway through the second, the Celtics offense started to come alive. The third quarter saw back and forth action as the teams traded punches. However, it was the Celtics who locked down to close out the quarter on a 8-0 run to take a five-point lead into the fourth.

The fourth quarter turned into a classic battle. Both teams knew what the win would mean. With a minute to go, the Celtics led by one with the ball. Paul Pierce had the ball in his hands. From 25 feet out, he simply rose up and shot the three over LeBron's outstretched arm. Nothing but net. It didn't matter how much Pierce had struggled in the game prior. He turned to the Celtics' bench and shook his head. They knew how big the shot was. The Heat tried to come back, but clutch free throws by Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett sealed the Celtics' crucial road victory.

Three games ago the Celtics were too old. Now, they are one win away from a return to the NBA Finals. Garnett finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. While LeBron may be the regular season MVP, I believe at this point Garnett deserves the Eastern Conference MVP. Following the game KG talked about the toughness of his team, "We stayed with it. We had a rough first quarter, first half. We got our stops and made our run ourselves. And when we had to, we had stops. He also commented on the teamwork the Celtics display, "We do it together; we don't do it individually...When we do it together, we look pretty darned good."

Pierce nailed another clutch shot, showing once again that he is one of the game's best closers. Game 6 returns to Boston with the Celtics needing just one win to advance. The pressure is on the Heat, who looked good early, but really didn't play well beside the efforts of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. They will need more of a team effort to have a chance in Game 6. Coverage of Game 6 is scheduled to begin Thursday night at 8:30 on ESPN.