Author: Takmazian

PYUNIK VS. DINAMO – PREVIEW

Sports betting previews

Jul y 13 2009

Match start at 17:00 hour.

TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS – WAITING FOR RESULT

Pyunik are current Armenian champion, coming from capital Yerevan. They
won their home league 11 times so far, eight times in the last eight
seasons. After 14 rounds they are on a good way to make it 9, Mika
is 2 points behind them. It’s hard to know details about such team
but from what i know, their best player Mhitarjan left to Metalist
few weeks ago and they are made from mostly Armenian players(only
one foreigner, 16 years old Zambian defender), and lots of them
are Armenian national team players. They have also brough brasilian
Marcos who is, according to some people, just the same quality as
Mhitarjan.According to some Croatian coaches and players who worked
in Armenia, Pyunik is a disciplined and when it comes to CHL matches,
extremely tough, motivated and defensive minded team. More or less,
Dinamo kept their team together and except for TadiÄ~G and HrgoviÄ~G
no one left the team. Those weren’t first team players anyway. They
brought ex PAO and Lecce forward Papadopoulos, Glavina from Vorskla,
albanian Vila and some loaned players are back to complete the
squad. So, no dramatic changes comparing to the last season. Coach
Jurcic is, have to admitt, working well, although results from
pre-matches aren’t showing that yet. But, as i said few times before,
i’m confident about him and he’s the right long-term solution for
Dinamo. Visitors will miss key defender Kovac. As you probably
know, Dinamo had a nightmare once against similar team, Khazar from
Azerbaijan few years ago. They advanced only after extra times then,
and today everyone are mentioning that match as a warning. Fact is,
that Dinamo doesn’t know too much their todays opponent. Coach Jurcic
watched their derby match live vs second placed Mika and that shows
how seriously they are approaching to this match. Dinamo surely won’t
underestimate Armenian champion, but Pyunik’s CHL quals results from
last few years are proving that they are a hard to beat, especially
at their ground. Having in mind hot weather, probably poor pitch and
importance of the match, i think that we won’t see a high scoring
match in Yerevan. Dinamo lacks competitve matches, they have played
only one in pre-season against Steaua where they were the better team
but that match shows that they need more time to click. I believe
in a narrow win by away team, or draw at least what should be enough
for them to confirm 3rd round at Maksimir.

VIC DARCHINYAN BEATEN BY JOSEPH AGBEKO

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.07.2009 11:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ghana’s Joseph Agbeko retained his IBF bantamweight
title with a unanimous decision over Armenian-born Australian Vic
Darchinyan in Florida on Saturday.

Solid rights to the head eventually opened cuts above both of
Darchinyan’s eyes, and two judges scored the fight 114-113, while a
third had it 116-111.

Darchinyan was aiming to win world titles at three different weights.

Agbeko now has 27 wins from 28 fights, while Darchinyan falls to 32
wins and two losses from 35 fights.

The bout had one disputed knockdown in the seventh round, when
television replays showed Darchinyan pushed Agbeko to the canvas.

However, Agbeko, 29, shook off the knockdown and peppered Darchinyan
with repeated rights to the head the rest of the fight.

The victory was Agbeko’s second as bantamweight champion. He won the
title with a seventh-round technical stoppage of Luis Perez in 2007
and beat William Gonzalez in December his first defense, BBC reports.

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 11 2009

Turkey Welcomes Statement On Upper Karabakh

ANKARA (A.A) – 11.07.2009 – Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday
welcomed the joint statement of presidents of the United States,
France and Russia as the co-Chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group on Upper
Karabakh issue.
Foreign Ministry said the joint statement referred to the "basic
principles for settlement of Upper Karabakh problem" submitted to
Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 2007 in Madrid, noting that "the
principles in question formed a whole reflecting the stances of both
parties."

"The parties should assume a constructive approach and consider the
importance given to the matter by the co-chairmen. Both Azerbaijan and
Armenia should achieve a final solution in this conflict which
continue to be a bleeding wound for the south Caucasus region."

Minsk Process and Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) aim to find a political solution to the
conflict over Upper-Karabakh region over which Armenia fought
Azerbaijan in a war in the 1990s. (AY)

MOCK WAR OR SERIOUS PEACE?
by Yulia Kalinina

WPS Agency
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 3, 2009 Friday
Russia

Military training hints at war with Georgia

The "Kavkaz-2009" war games are under way in the south of the
country. They will continue until July 6 and comprise 8,500 people
from different branches of the military and law enforcement.

The military training is held in the N. Caucasus every year. Last
year its premise was the same as this July – anti-terrorist operations.

As it happened, last year’s training preceded a war. In August its
participants fought for Tskhinval, and that was no surprise to many
military experts following the events in South Ossetia.

According to some analysts the "Kavkaz-2009" training may also precede
a war.

Troops are training, learning from the mistakes they made during the
last year’s war. Then they may enter Georgia to remove Saakashvili
and install a new regime, which will give a solution to problems
which have become an impasse with the current one. These problems
exist and they are a concern to the Kremlin. The most important one
being there is no land line to connect Russia and Armenia. Georgia
has banned all military traffic over its territory, so Russia cannot
man and equip her new base in Armenia.

There is one Russian military base there – in Yerevan and Gyumri. 3000
men are stationed there. The second one was to be set up near Idjevan
in the north-east of Armenia, near Azerbaijani and Georgian border. It
was planned to move the equipment there from the former Russian base
in Akhalkalaki in Georgia. Also, building a new mid-frequency radar
station is planned.

In order for these plans to come true it is necessary for Russia to
have road connection to Armenia. That is only possible via Azerbaijan
or Georgia, there is no other way. Azerbaijan is not a possibility
because of Nagorno-Karabakh. Georgia remains. Something needs to be
done about her, as Armenia having no land connection to Russia causes
problems not only military, but also geopolitical. There some talk
already in Armenia of joining NATO, and this talk needs to be stemmed,
otherwise Russia will have to completely withdraw from Trans-Caucasus.

So there is a real reason for the second war in Georgia, no doubt
about that.

TSVETANA PASKALEVA: ELUCIDATING WAR EVENTS REQUIRES UNBIASED ATTITUDE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
09.07.2009 19:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani authorities proposed death sentence for
Bulgarian journalist Tsvetana Paskaleva for her successful campaign
aimed at releasing journalist Vardan Hovhannisyan from Azerbaijan’s
prison, preparing TV report on Soviet and Azerbaijani forces’
occupation of Shahumyan region and shooting "Altitudes, Hopes"
documentary (1991).

A journalist, director and scenario writer, Paskaleva thereafter
created 6 documentary films devoted to Karabakh war.

"Any person committing himself/herself to the utmost difficult task
of elucidating war events should be free from bias. Otherwise, he
may not rely on God’s blessings. Had I pursued bias, Heaven would
have punished me long ago," Tsvetana Paskaleva said.

"My Dear Living and Dead", a TV project authored by
Bulgarian journalist, was broadcast by Armenian Central TV from
1995-97. Paskaleva’s courage to protect imprisoned Dashnak activists
led to the closedown of the broadcast by the order of the then
President L. Ter-Petrosyan. The second TV project – "Aspect" – was
closed down in 2000 for the same reason.

Faced with the threat of death every single minute, I never thought
about professional glory. But it came upon me, together with peoples
love. But it’s very hard to hold on to it. All that requires strength
and incessant work," Paskaleva said, expressing her gratitude to
Armenians for their reverence.

Tsvetana Paskaleva is a well-known Bulgarian journalist, director,
scenario writer and film operator, as well as member of the
International Documentary Association (Los Angeles). Since May 1991,
she has shot documentaries about the interethnic conflicts between
Armenians and Azeris. The following 7 films are devoted to Karabakh:
"Altitudes, Hopes" (1991), "Will Morning Smile upon Karabakh?" (1992),
"My Dear Living and Dead" (1993), "The Wounds of Karabakh" (1994),
"Soldiers of Their Land" (1994), "Calmness" (1995), "Belief and Spirit"
(devoted to the liberation of Shushi, 2001).

"HITLER IN LOVE" ONE MAN SHOW DIRECTED BY SUREN SHAHVERDYAN RECEIVED AN AWARD

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
08.07.2009 22:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 27-July1 Bucharest hosted "Apostrophe"
International Theater Festival. "Hitler in Love", one-man show produced
in "Tony Bulandra" Theatre and directed by Armenian director Suren
Shahverdyan, was featured at the festival and awarded with second
prize.

"Hitler in Love" is a theatre one man show written and played by
Dumitru Acris and directed by Armenian director Suren Shahverdyan. The
approach is not a political one. You will find the other side of Hitler
totally unknown by the masses. The plot is presenting Hitler’s last
days of life, closed in his bunker. There are revealed aspects of his
intimate life: the relationship with his mother, with his lovers and
with his army generals. The text presents his hate for Jewish people,
his unknown weaknesses, the role of music in his life. The conclusion
of this approach could be that any child missing his parents loves
risks to become a dictator. "Hitler in Love" was produced in Tony
Bulandra Theatre in Romania (Tirgoviste) in November 2008. Starting
with January 2009, "Hitler in Love" will be played in Moscow and
Berlin.

Inaugurated on the 30th of January 2002, "Tony Bulandra" Theatre from
Târgoviste is the one of the youngest repertory theatres in Romania. In
less than 5 years, the theatre managed to impose its youthful yet
powerful image through an ambitious program, through being passionate
and dynamism. The company has presently approximately 30 actors, the
average age being 30. "Tony Bulandra" Theatre’s productions were shown
in tours, festivals or experience changes both within the country
and abroad. As a repertory institution, "Tony Bulandra" Theatre is
looking for the most important texts in the universal dramaturgy.

HOW THEY PICK ‘EM: NO BULL! EXPERTS LOVE DARCHINYAN TO BEAT AGBEKO, BECOME THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION

BraggingRightsCorner
July 8, 2009

HOW THEY PICK ‘EM: NO BULL!

EXPERTS LOVE DARCHINYAN TO BEAT AGBEKO, BECOME THREE-DIVISION WORLD
CHAMPION

THIS SATURDAY, JULY 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast)
LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

NEW YORK (July 8, 2009) – If the media members who participated in
the SHOWTIME Media Prediction Poll have called it correctly, Vic
"Raging Bull" Darchinyan will walk out of the ring a five-time world
champion with a victory over Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko. A triumph
also would make Darchinyan a three-division world champ – at 112,
115 and 118 pounds.

Agbeko (26-1, 22 KOs), the International Boxing Federation (IBF)
bantamweight champion, will defend against Darchinyan (32-1, 26
KOs) in the main event this Saturday, July 11, live on SHOWTIME (9
p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) from the BankAtlantic Center
in Sunrise, Fla.

The match-up between two of the hardest-hitting, pound-for-pound boxers
in the world could end with one punch. Both fighters have whopping
knockout percentages. Agbeko has won inside the distance 81 percent of
the time while Darchinyan has won by knockout 76 percent of the time.

One thing is certain: Raging Bull certainly didn’t take a tune-up in
King Kong.

Still, Darchinyan was a landslide winner in the SHOWTIME poll,
garnering 22 of the 28 predictions. Most predicted a knockout for
the Australian-based Armenian bomber, while only three predicted the
fight would go to the scorecards.

The co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will showcase two
once-beaten, world-ranked No. 4 contenders when emerging lightweight
Antonio DeMarco (20-1, 14 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, meets Anges "Baby
Face" Adjaho (25-1, 14 KOs), from Benin, Africa, now fighting out of
Geneva, N.Y., in a 12-round bout.

How the media see the scheduled 12-round Agbeko-Darchinyan world
title fight:

Robert Morales, Los Angeles Newspaper Group (Darchinyan): "Agbeko has
fought four times since coming off of a 2 1/2-year hiatus. Two of the
guys had records of 0-1 and 10-4-1. I’m not convinced he is going to
be able to handle the power of Darchinyan, who is one of the hardest
hitters in the world, pound-for-pound. That, coupled with Darchinyan’s
ongoing hunger, is going to result in a stoppage by Darchinyan —
probably in the middle rounds."

Sharon Robb, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Darchinyan): "Darchinyan will
win. There is too much on the line for him not to. The Aussie knocks
King Kong out in the fifth round in a punishing and entertaining
round."

Steve Kim, Maxboxing.com (Darchinyan): "I like Darchinyan’s southpaw
stance and newly improved ability to evade punches. Vic is victorious
by late stoppage."

J. Michael Falgoust, USA Today (Darchinyan): "Agbeko gives up his
height and reach advantages by falling in when he punches. He has
a good right hand, but Darchinyan’s hand speed is better and the
southpaw’s straight left should land first. Darchinyan won’t have to
put himself in danger much. If he counterpunches, Agbeko will run
himself into the right hook and knock himself out. He’ll never see
it coming. Darchinyan KO 9."

T.K. Stewart, BoxingScene.com (Darchinyan): "While both guys have
impressive records, it is Darchinyan that has faced and beaten a
much higher level of opposition. In my view that will be the big
difference. Vic is at or near his mental and physical peak as a
prizefighter and his confidence is at an all-time high. Because Agbeko
is the slightly larger man (and is probably the hungrier fighter),
he’ll likely pose Vic with a very strong challenge early on. However,
as the fight passes the midway point, Vic’s experience and punching
power will prove to be the difference. I see him stopping Agbeko
somewhere after the eighth or ninth round.

Ron Borges, Boston Herald (Darchinyan): "It’s going to be a tough
fight. Darchinyan is going to get hit and he is going to get hurt,
but not as badly as the other guy. Darchinyan wins by TKO 7."

Chris Cozzone, FightNews.com (Agbeko): "Someone’s got to do it,
so put me down for Agbeko – mid to late round KO."

Jake Donovan, BoxingScene.com (Darchinyan): "I like Darchinyan
and fairly big in this one, but I’m not sure his power completely
follows him up, even if it is only three pounds. Agbeko is tough,
but I believe a bit overrated due to his handling of a very inactive
and undisciplined Luis Perez. Vic is the all-around better fighter
and it will show as he earns a decision in this fan-friendly fight."

Ramon Aranda, 411mania.com (Darchinyan): "Darchinyan’s on a roll
and despite him moving up in weight, I don’t see enough from Agbeko
to think that the Raging Bull loses this fight. That being said,
I expect it to be competitive with Darchinyan taking a decision."

Lyle Fitzsimmons, The Sports Network (Darchinyan): "A toughie. Agbeko
is a legit bantamweight who’s knocked out legit bantamweights, albeit
none with the name cache of the guys Darchinyan has tangled with. And
Vic is the sort of fighter who can always overwhelm a foe, but can
always catch a big KO shot coming in as well. Either way, it’s got
to a fun to watch… and I’ll lean to Vic by a ninth-round TKO."

Rick Reeno, BoxingScene.com (Darchinyan): "Darchinyan by KO in
six. I think Darchinyan’s ability to throw accurate punches is being
underestimated in this fight. Agbeko is tough but he is easily baited
to engage and often leaves himself wide open when he does."

James Slater, EastsideBoxing.com (Agbeko): "This is a tough one to
pick. Both men are big punchers, Darchinyan especially, but Agbeko
is the naturally bigger man. Yet the fighter known as "King Kong"
is also slower afoot than "The Raging Bull." Almost sure to end via a
violent KO one way or the other — with perhaps a couple of knockdowns
scored by both men along the way. This one looks unlikely to reach
the half way point. Agbeko will hold onto his belt in a thriller that
is so good a rematch will be demanded by the fans. Agbeko prevails
by stoppage inside six furious rounds."

Paul Upham, SecondsOut.com (Darchinyan): "These are the types of
fights boxing fans want to see: Knockout punchers trying to make
history with a world title on the line. It should be explosive as
long as it lasts, but Darchinyan’s more accurate punches will prove
to be the difference. Vic lands early and hits hard and wins by third
round knockout."

Ernest Gabion, MaxBoxing.com (Darchinyan): "While Agbeko is the
naturally bigger fighter, Vic has been on such a roll, going through
much better opponents easier than what Agbeko has done. Darchinyan
is a true pound-for-pound fighter and it will show when he wins by
TKO 8 in a brutal war."

Anson Wainwright, 15rounds.com (Darchinyan): "This has the makings of
a terrific action fight. Darchinyan always brings it. He is confident
and will go straight at Agbeko, which is fine by him as he also likes
a scrap. Darchinyan stops Agbeko in the ninth in a war of attrition."

Ben Thompson, FightHype.com (Darchinyan): "Even though he’s moving
up in weight, Darchinyan has faced the stiffer competition and has
proven that he can bang and box with the best of them. With all the
trash talk leading up to the fight, I’m not expecting this one to
make it to the scorecards. Darchinyan wins by sixth-round TKO."

Matt Knowles, 411mania.com (Darchinyan): "Agbeko is one of those
fighters who isn’t great at any one thing, but is pretty solid
all-around. Darchinyan, on the other hand, is a dynamite puncher who
just finished cleaning out the entire junior bantamweight division
within a two-year stretch. Expect the "Raging Bull" to bring his
power up to 118 and earn a convincing TKO win late in the bout as
Agbeko slowly deteriorates from the two-fisted onslaught brought
forth by Darchinyan."

Patrick Mullin, 411mania.com (Darchinyan): "Agbeko’s record is
really flashy but I don’t see a lot of substance within it. Vic is
the proven commodity, and while he may be the naturally smaller guy
he sure doesn’t hit like a smaller guy. Darchinyan wins by KO."

Michael Gonzalez, Boxingtalk.com (Darchinyan): "Long live Vic
Darchinyan! He continues to back up his brash talk and suave swagger
by seeking out and defeating the best – a novel idea in boxing these
days. So far his awkward southpaw style, coupled with a crushing
left hand, have proven too much for all but one of his opponents. He
is, however, moving up in weight and is 33, geriatric in boxing’s
lower weight classes. All the better. It makes the "King Kong" size
challenge of Ghana’s Agbeko that much more interesting. Though I
favor Darchinyan, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Agbeko outwork and
outmuscle him. But in the end, Agbeko’s style will give Darchinyan
plenty of opportunities to land his massive left. But will Vic’s power
be just as destructive at 118 as it was at 112 and 115? We’ll find
out. Darchinyan’s underrated boxing ability will separate him in this
one, setting up the punch that will separate Agbeko from his senses."

Lee Bellfield, SaddoBoxing.com (Darchinyan): "I think we’ve got
another absolute classic on our hands. Darchinyan, after proving
he was the No. 1 super flyweight last time out, tries his hand at a
higher weight division. I think he has faced the better competition
but will have to watch out for Agbeko’s heavy hands. I think Vic can
win by late stoppage and if he does, surely being ranked alongside
the likes of Manny Pacquiao in the pound for pound rankings is a must."

Michael Amakor, FightKings.com (Darchinyan): "It’s tempting to go
for the bigger Agbeko, but Darchinyan has many advantages, including
a southpaw stance that will allow him to connect with his trademark
flurry of wild and badly intended punches that the confused Agbeko
will not see coming. Darchinyan hits very hard too, and will be
stronger after stepping up in weight. His confidence is also at
an all time high after brutalizing first rate ex-champs Jorge Arce
and Cristian Mijares in back-to-back fights. Darchinyan may suffer a
flash knockdown from a straight right but will recover to land a left
cross that will extinguish Agbeko’s lights before the championship
rounds. Darchinyan by TKO."

Ed Ludwig, (Darchinyan): "This will be
explosive and is a can’t miss fight for any fan. It is going to be
give and take from start to finish. Both fighters are at the top of
their game and picking a winner is a tough call but my gut tells me
that Darchinyan will capture another title with a late 11th-round
TKO. This has Fight of the Year candidate written all over it and
I’m sure the viewers on SHOWTIME will crave a rematch."

Joseph Bourelly, (Agbeko): "Agbeko will win this
on speed, boxing skill and ring generalship. He is simply a better
fighter at a higher weight class, and I see him knocking Darchinyan
out inside of the 12-round distance."

David Duenez, Therewillbebloodfightshow.com, (Darchinyan): "Even
though he is moving up in weight, Darchinyan’s boxing skills have
improved and he has shown to adjust to his foe’s attack and to set up
his money punches. Both are big punchers, yes, but only one is more
in tune in solving puzzles rather than winging it. The "Raging Bull"
will end the night with a TKO in the mid-rounds."

Albert Alvarez, DiamondBoxing.com (Agbeko): "No doubt Darchinyan is
one of the top power punchers in the sport pound-for-pound; however,
I feel that Agbeko will be physically and mentally strong enough to
handle the Darchinyan bombs. Early on the fight will belong to The
Raging Bull, but midway through the tide will turn, once Agbeko’s
strength and heart begins to shine through. It will be then that
Darchinyan will mentally become drained. "King Kong" wins an upset
split decision in a classic."

Keisha (El- Boxing Empress) Morrisey, JacBoxer Show (Agbeko):
"Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko is improving. Darchinyan was stopped by
Nonito Donaire."

Bill Scherer, Suite101 (Darchinyan): "Darchinyan is as unorthodox
as ever, but more aware, defensively, thanks to getting starched by
Nonito Donaire. He’ll be too funky for Agbeko to get a good bead on
and land enough to wear the Ghanaian down. The ref or Agbeko’s corner
will stop this one in the championship rounds."

FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA TO VISIT BUDAPEST AND BUCHAREST ON JULY 9

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 9, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward
Nalbandian will pay a short visit to Budapest and Bucharest on July
9 where he will have meetings with Foreign Minister of Hungary Peter
Balazs and Foreign Minister of Romania Cristian Diaconescu.

According to the message of the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, E. Nalbandian will return to Yerevan on
July 10.

AT THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE OF THE, RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN HAD A BREAKFAST MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS DEMETRIOS XRISTOFIAS AT HIS PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN YEREVAN.

Tue sday, 7 July 2009

Questions concerning the development of bilateral relations and
activation of a multifaceted cooperation potential inclusive of
economy, culture and tourism were discussed, in particular.

The head of the Armenian government said to be highly appreciative
of the Cyprian side’s readiness to assist our country in the context
of EU-Armenia regional cooperation.

The meeting was marked by an atmosphere of warmth and friendship.

MG OSCE HOPES FOR A PROGRESS IN MOSCOW NEGOTIATIONS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
08.07.2009 19:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We had to depart for Stepanakert, but unfortunately,
weather conditions prevented us from leaving," MG OSCE Co-Chair
Bernard Fassier told a news conference in Yerevan.

Bernard Fassier spoke of the results of MG OSCE Co-Chairs’ current
visit to Yerevan, "As you know, we’re preparing for Sargsyan-Aliev
meeting. I believe the sixth meeting between the presidents means they
have numerous issues to discuss. After Prague summit, where we fixed
some regulations for Madrid principles, negotiations have reached a
turning point. We hope to concretize the regulations in Moscow and
be able to move on. We had very constructive negotiations in Yerevan
and hope for the same result in Baku," Fassier said.

A meeting between Armenia and Azeri Presidents is scheduled for July
17 in Moscow.