TQ's A-Z / Tareq Quiroz / 04 February 2008 /

TQ goes through the alphabet as he recaps the main stories in the world of sport from last week

A is for Alexandre Pato. AC Milan are finally starting to show some decent form and climb Serie A at a decent rate. One of the reasons for their upturn in form is Brazilian wonderkid Pato, the eighteen year old netted the winner away at Fiorentina on Sunday that sees Milan climb to fifth in the league. A top 3 finish is still on and if you fancy they can do it then check out our Serie A Top 3 Finish market.

B is for Bullard. A faltering Fulham side came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Jimmy Bullard has been out of action for a long time with serious injury but he is back with a vengeance and hammered from a great free-kick with just five minutes left. Fulham are still deep in trouble though and are currently trading at [1.62] in the league Relegation market.

C is for Cook. Essex opener Alistair Cook was in great form in England's warm up game against Canterbury. Cook hit 138 off 140 balls as England secured a seven wicket victory. England will take great confidence into the tour opening T20 game on Tuesday, where they are currently trading at [1.98]

D is for Defoe. It was been an extraordinary week for Jermain Defoe. Seemingly back in favour at Spurs a move didn't look likely until deadline day when a dramatic last minute switch to Pompey materialised. Sure enough Defoe promptly scored on his debut against Chelsea at the weekend. A late call-up to the England squad means that he will almost certainly get some game time against Switzerland on Wednesday. Check out all the markets on site for that game.

E is for Essien. African Cup of Nations hosts Ghana booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Nigeria. In an enthralling game Ghana came from a goal down to equalise through the inspirational Michael Essien. Junior Agogo grabbed the winner and Ghana are now [3.4] in the Tournament Winner market.

F is for Fenin. The Bundesliga is back from its Winter break and there were goals galore in an action packed weekend. Star of the round was Eintracht Frankfurt striker Michael Fenin. The twenty year old Czech was recently signed by the Bundesliga side and amazingly bagged a hat-trick on his debut to wrap up a 3-0 away win at Hertha Berlin. Frankfurt play Bielefeld on Friday night and you can be sure Fenin will be gunning for more goals

G is for Gonzalez. It wasn't the way that Fernando Gonzalez would have wanted to win his third Movistar Open but you won't hear him complaining too much. His intended opponent in the final Juan Monaco had to pull out prior to the match with an injured ankle. For the men it is back to Davis Cup action this week and there are markets available on all the big ties.

H is for Hook. In a remarkable game Wales claimed their first win at Twickenham for twenty years with an inspired second half comeback. England looked to have everything firmly under control after they bossed the opening half but Wales were not to be denied and came roaring back to win 26-19. Wales now host Scotland next Saturday and are currently available at [1.33] in the Match Odds market.

I is for Ibrahimovic. Inter Milan seems to have developed that knack of winning games even when they aren't at their very best. Zlatan Ibrahimovic slotted home from the penalty spot to give Inter their tenth home win of the season. They are eight points clear at the top of Serie A and now look unlikely to be caught. The market also reflects that as Inter are now [1.16] to take the title.

J is for J.B Holmes. There is something about the FBR Open that J.B Holmes clearly likes. J.B birdied the final hole in regulation to set-up a play-off with Phil Mickelson and promptly birdied the first play-off hole to take the title for the second time in three years. This weeks' PGA Tour event is the AT&T Pebble Beach where Mickelson will be the market leader.

K is for Khan. Amir Khan came through a tough test against Gairy St Clair at London's ExCel arena. He was taken the distance by the durable Australian but came through comfortably on the judge's scorecards. Khan's next fight will be in April so watch out for markets on that match-up when it is announced.

L is for Leeds Rhinos. Super League champions Leeds Rhinos got the new campaign off to a great start with maximum points against a tough Hull KR side. They were made to work incredibly hard for the win in a game that showed that Hull KR have made some significant improvements and will be very hard to beat this season. Check out our To Make Play Odds market if you think that target is within their grasp this season.

M is for Miller. Controversial skier Bode Miller is never out of the headlines and thankfully for him it was for all the right reasons last week. He was back in typical Bode form as he won the super-combined event in Val d'Isere. That victory secured the World Cup crown for that event but you can be sure he will be going for further glory in the downhill discipline. Watch out for markets for all events from this week's venue Garmisch.

N is for New York Giants. In one of the biggest upsets in Superbowl history New York Giants beat the previously untouchable Patriots to become Superbowl champions. In a tight game the Giants' resilience was apparent as they simply wouldn't let Brady dictate the game. Eli Manning threw the winning pass deep in the fourth quarter and was also named MVP. Markets for next years Superbowl are already on site if you think you already know the winner of Superbowl XLIII.

O is for Owen. Kevin Keegan's Newcastle side finally got on the scoresheet in a hard fought derby against Middlesbrough. Predictably the man on the spot was Michael Owen, he rose well to head past Schwarzer. It was only good enough for a draw however and pressure may soon start to build on Keegan. Take a look at a selection of Keegan Specials that we currently have available on site.

P is for Pollock. Fittingly it was Shaun Pollock who hit the winning runs for South Africa in an eight wicket win over West Indies in the final ODI. Pollock came in at number four to help SA to the winning total and his last shot in International cricket was the final moment in a well-contested series.

Q is for Quality. Class is something you just can't buy. Austrian Thomas Morgenstern simply oozes class and he looks unstoppable in his charge for the World Cup Ski Jumping title. In a display of sheer quality he took both rounds in Sapporo and is now well clear in the rankings. Check out all the markets available on the next round in Liberec starting on Friday.

R is for Red Wings. The race to claim the Stanley Cup is really on and there is no team in better form at the moment than the Detroit Red Wings. A 3-1 win over Boston on Friday further cemented their place as the leading team in the Western Conference. The Red Wings are now the market leaders in the Stanley Cup Winner market and can be backed at current odds of [3.9]

S is for Sharapova. It has been a long while coming but Maria Sharapova finally made her debut for Russia in the Fed Cup win over Israel. She was in great form and beat both Obziler and Peer as Russia won the tie 4-1. The main event on the WTA Tour this week is the Open Gaz de France. Check out all the markets we have available for this tournament.

T is for Tevez. Carlos Tevez came to Man Utd's rescue with a late late equaliser at White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon. It looked to be Spurs' day but it wasn't to be and United will be pleased with the point even though they now trail Arsenal in the title race. Despite the deficit United are still trading at [1.97] in the Premier League Winner market.

U is for Unstoppable. Tiger Woods' mere presence on the leaderboard strikes fear through the heart of all other golfers. Going into the back nine of the Dubai Desert Classic back to back tournament wins didn't seem on but Tiger got on one of his legendary rolls and the rest of the field simply collapsed. It was a fabulous performance from Tiger and ominously he looks better than ever. He is only getting shorter for the first major and is now [2.3] for the US Masters.

V is for Vincent Clerc. A new look France side were in impressive form on the opening weekend of the Six Nations. Vincent Clerc looked dangerous everytime he touched the ball and crossed for two tries in France's 27-6 win over Scotland. The French are now worthy favourites for the Six Nations title at odds of around [1.86]

W is for Wade. Phil Taylor finally tasted defeat in the Premier League in the fourth year of the event. World number three James Wade was the man who inflicted the defeat on the thirteen times world champion. Wade has been well supported in the Outright Winner market where you can currently back him at [3.9]

X is for Xavi. For a long time it looked as though Barcelona weren't going to take advantage of Real Madrid's defeat on Saturday night. Super sub Xavi was the man who came to Barca's rescue with a late winner and that victory has reduced Real's lead to just six points. Check out the outright Winner market if you think Barca can still do it.

Y is for Younus. Pakistan wrapped up a 5-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe with a comfortable seven wicket victory. It has been a successful tour for Pakistan and it was Younus Khan who was the star man of the final game with 63 runs off 51 balls.

Z is for Zzzzzz. They may be fourth in the league but at the moment Everton are firing blanks. Their 0-0 draw at Blackburn on Saturday was their second in quick succession and the third game on the bounce in which they have failed to score. Surely they will rectify this against Reading on Saturday where they are currently trading at [1.62]

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