Allgemein » Burnley and Middlesbrough are unsurpris

The NFLs International Series shifts to Mexico City this week, and coverage will focus on the enormous support from local fans. Estadio Azteca will be sold out on Monday night as the?Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders?face off, a confirmation of the continued interest in American football outside United States borders. Less visible, but no less interesting, is the rise in player participation around the globe. A new adult league debuted in Mexico City this spring, joining dozens of semi-professional and club-level leagues in every corner of the planet -- from Europe to Asia to Australia.The worldwide action is tracked daily by American Football International (AFI), a website and advocacy group run by Roger Kelly and John McKeon. Kelly is a former Canadian Football League executive, now living in Sweden. McKeon, a former player in a French league, is based in New York.ESPN.com teamed with AFI to assess the quality and scope of Planet Football. What follows is a subjective ranking of the top countries from a standpoint of participation and local interest.1. CanadaKey stat: Canadians play with 12 rather than 11 players on each side, helping to fill up a field that is both longer (110 yards) and wider (65 yards) than traditional American football.Fun fact: The first documented American football game in Canada took place in 1861, a full eight years before the first documented American football game in the United States.Who is playing: The nine-team CFL offers a unique spin on the game, and it plays at a high enough level that a handful of players move on to the NFL after each season. Each team is allowed 19 international -- i.e. American -- players. The rest come from Canadas extensive CIS college system, which features 27 schools from four regions that play at its highest level. The CFL once felt comfortable enough to expand into the United States, an experiment that ended in 1995 but led to a firmer vision for a regionally focused league.2. GermanyKey stat:?There are 54,000 federation members among 450 club teams.Fun fact: Former Duke and Fresno State quarterback Brandon Connette was Germanys top quarterback in 2016. He threw for 4,747 yards in 17 games for the Dresden Monarchs.Who is playing: Germany proved to be the most fertile ground for NFL Europe, and eventually five of the leagues six teams migrated within its borders. That popularity carried on even after the 2007 shuttering, and the best club teams in Germany now play at a level equivalent to a Division II college team in the United States. This spring, Germany produced its first NFL draft pick: wide receiver Moritz Bohringer, who has spent the season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Bohringer was the first international player to move directly from a European league to the NFL.3. Great BritainKey stat: British American Football Federation has nearly 12,000 members.Fun fact: There is a five-on-five womens tackle league in Great Britain that has a tradition known as the Sapphire Series, which is now taking applicants for the 2017 tournament.Who is playing: NFL interest has soared in London and the surrounding areas since the start of the International Series in 2007. This year, a total of 242,373 fans attended three games held at two different stadiums. College football has grown dramatically throughout the United Kingdom, an important development. The UKs National League is fully amateur, meaning no paid American imports are allowed. So for the league to thrive at a post-college level, it needs native talent to surface. University teams are poised to provide that talent pool.4. MexicoKey stat: The first organized American football game in Mexico took place in 1896.Fun fact: Americas Team was once Mexicos Team as well. Perhaps thats still the case. The Dallas Cowboys, also known as Vaqueros de Dallas, began appearing on Mexican television in the 1960s. Hispanic place-kicker Danny Villanueva, a New Mexico native, was a big draw.Who is playing: American Football has a long history in Mexico. The first games were played there at the collegiate level in the 1920s, and Mexico is now one of two countries outside of the United States to support a fully professional league. (Canada is the other.) The Liga Futbol Americano debuted in the spring of 2016 with four teams and recently announced expansion into a six-team league for 2017. Most of the league is based in Mexico City. Geographical proximity to the NFL makes it a more natural transition for fans. A then-record 103,467 filled Estadio Azteca for the 2005 game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. Two preseason games there in the 1990s drew a combined 218,800 fans, and this seasons game -- with a reduced capacity of around 87,000 following renovations -- sold out within minutes.5. AustriaKey stat: Approximately 4,000 people in Austria are licensed to play either flag or tackle football.Fun fact: The Vienna Vikings played in five consecutive Eurobowls, winning four of them, from 2003-07. Thats four more championships than their American counterparts, another Vikings franchise with whom they share an almost identical logo.Who is playing: The Austrian Football League rivals Germany for the highest-level football played outside North America. AFI currently ranks the Swarco Raiders as the top team in Europe. The Raiders origin goes back to the 1980s, dating to the earliest days of NFLs excursion into Europe. For a long stretch, Austrian teams dominated international competitions. During the Vikings run in the mid-2000s, their championship games were televised. Their games were played in front of crowds that were as large as 10,000 fans, and the entire league continues to draw well.6. JapanKey stat: There are 18 teams in Japans X-League.Fun fact: American football was first introduced to Japan in 1934 by the legendary missionary Paul Rusch.Who is playing: The highest levels of football in Japan are organized through corporations that sponsor the teams and staff them with their own employees. Companies that field teams include IBM, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Mitsubishi. A handful have developed into semi-pro-level teams, and the Japan Bowl will be played in December in the Tokyo Dome. Japanese teams have grown increasingly aggressive in recruiting American-born players. The IBM BigBlue roster, for example, includes quarterback Kevin Craft (San Diego State/UCLA) and receiver/tight end John Stanton (St. Johns of Minnesota).7. BrazilKey stat: Brazilians have played tackle football in an organized way for only eight years, but there are already 105 teams and approximately 8,500 members of its federation.Fun fact: Team names in Brazil are fantastic, as long as you are not prone to phobias. There are clubs known as the Rednecks, Tsunami, Crocodiles, Vipers, Black Sharks and Brown Spiders.Who is playing: Although the level of play is not high relative to other countries, fan support is wild for teams in the CBFA Superliga -- a structure devised this year to pit the top 31 teams in the country for a regular rotation. As many as 15,000 fans show up for games, rivaling soccer events in some cases. The Corinthian Steamrollers have 1.4 million fans on their public Facebook page. As a result, Brazil is viewed as perhaps the most fertile ground for grassroots expansion in the world.8. ChinaKey stat: The game was introduced about five years ago on a significant scale, and as of last summer, about 5,000 men and women were playing in some form. That includes the inaugural Chinese Arena Football League, backed in part by the owners of the Philadelphia Soul.Fun fact: Former Arizona State defensive lineman Zach Brown, living in China for work, started a semi-pro league by handing out business cards to people he met on the street. The cards said, I play American football. You look like a dude who could play. Contact us here. Runner-up: The Shanghai Skywalkers are a real thing. Enough said.Who is playing: Ken Li, the founder of the American Football Union, said China is more interested in the NFL than playing the game itself. The level of play here is no comparison to the NFL at all, Li said. He added: I always say that if we put the best players in China on an all-star team, the level might be similar to a Division III in the NCAA. That gives you the best-case scenario of what were seeing here.9. FranceKey stat: France has a huge if moderately competitive federation, counting 215 registered clubs and 22,136 members.Fun fact: Defensive end Micah Robinson, a former Syracuse star, had 18 sacks last season for Saint-Ouen-lAum?ne Cougars, the top team in France based on AFIs rankings.Who is playing: Soccer and rugby dominate the French sports terrain, so support is mixed even while participation and skill level is high. Most football teams have American imports playing quarterback, including many with experience at Division I schools. There have also been occasional instances of French-born players piquing interest of NFL teams. Receiver Anthony Dable, who like Bohringer discovered football on YouTube and went on to play in the French and German leagues, spent training camp with the New York Giants and had a September tryout with the New England Patriots.10. AustraliaKey stat: There are approximately 4,000 members in the Australian federation.Fun fact: The first season of American football in Australia was 1984. Players used boxing head gear instead of helmets and played on what Gridiron Australias official history called a disused rubbish tip. In other words, it was an abandoned garbage dump.Who is playing: American football has plenty of team-sport competition in Australia, from rugby to Australian rules football to soccer. But there is a growing list of Australian-born players working their way into the NFL. Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne is the most notable, having played last season as a running back/returner for the San Francisco 49ers. Most of them have been specialists, however, including current New York Giants punter Brad Wing. Sav Rocca had a seven-year career with three teams, and Mat McBriar punted for 11 years, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys. And Darren Bennett, the San Diego Chargers punter from 1995-03, introduced rugby-style kicking to the NFL.Peter Forsberg Jersey . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Joe Sakic Avalanche Jersey . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-rob-ramage-avalanche-jersey/ . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Tyson Jost Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Matt Calvert Avalanche Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf.Who is going to win promotion from the Championship? We look at the contenders and get expert analysis from Danny Higginbotham.With just over a month of the season to go, theres still little to separate the sides competing for the top six places, and the race hots up with a full schedule of matches on Tuesday night.Former Stoke, Southampton and Sunderland defender Higginbotham looks over the sides gunning for automatic promotion and gives his take on the play-off race... Its tight at the top with the end of the season on the horizon BurnleySean Dyches side have soared to the top of the table on the back of an unbeaten run in the league that stretches back to Boxing Day. They may have a potentially decisive home clash with Middlesbrough on April 19. Burnley currently lead the way in the Championship Remaining fixtures: Cardiff (h), Leeds (h), Birmingham (a), Middlesbrough (h), Preston (a), QPR (h), Charlton (a).Last six results (most recent first): DDWWWWHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: I think they are the best equipped side, they can mix it more than any of the other teams. I did their game against Brentford a couple of months ago and they were incredible in the first half.Some people would say they were fortunate against Brighton at the weekend but they got a last-minute equaliser and that shows they dont know when they are beaten. That is so important for teams at the top of the league. Burnley were denied a goal in their top-of-the-table clash against Brighton They have Andre Gray, the highest goalscorer in the league, and they are on a phenomenal run. Sean Dyche has been there and done it and they have 15 players who have been promoted from the Championship so they have plenty of know-how too.MiddlesbroughBoro have recovered from defeats at relegation-threatened Rotherham and Charlton with victories over Hull and QPR to boost their automatic promotion hopes. They could be level on points with leaders Burnley if they win their game in hand. Middlesbrough have a game in hand on most of their rivals Remaining fixtures: Huddersfield (h), Preston (h), Reading (h), Bolton (a), Burnley (a), Ipswich (h), Birmingham (a), Brighton (h).Last six results: WWLLWLHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Their biggest problem has been against the teams that are lower down the table like Rotherham and Charlton. Aitor Karanka wants to be defensively strong but you look at the players they have going forward like Downing, Stuani, Rhodes and Nugent, they are so impressive.I think he should allow them to play with a bit more freedom. We saw that against QPR when they got three goals and there was a point in the second half where they looked untouchable and absolutely fantastic. Middlesbrough boosted their promotion hopes with a 3-2 win at QPR on Friday It will be interesting to see how they go because they havent got much experience of getting promoted. We saw what happened last season (when they lost in the play-off final), but no doubt if they can keep things going like they did against QPR they will be up there because of the players they have in the team.BrightonThe Seagulls have lost the fewest games in the Championship - five - but have drawn 15 times, a record only matched by QPR. They finish the season with games against Derby and Middlesbrough. Brighton are challenging for automatic promotion Remaining fixtures: Birmingham (a), Nottingham Forest (a), Fulham (h), QPR (h), Charlton (a), Derby (h), Middlesbrough (a).Last six results: DWWDDWHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Everybody keeps writing them off, but you cant go on the runs they have had without thinking they can go the distance. Their problem last season was too many loans, but they have a lot more permanent players now so there is more togetherness and Chris Hughton has tweaked the system which has been very important. Watch highlights of the clash between Brighton and Burnley They would prefer to have more wins under their belt, but I dont think they will go anywhere.dddddddddddd There is the least pressure on them in the top six, they havent spent much money and there wont be big expectations around Brighton.HullA 4-0 victory over Bristol City at the weekend was welcome relief for Hull after a five-match winless run in the league. They have a game in hand on most of their promotion rivals and six of their last eight matches are against teams in the bottom half. Steve Bruce has won promotion from the Championship before Remaining fixtures: Derby (a), Huddersfield (a), Wolves (h), Reading (a), Leeds (h), Brentford (h), Bolton (a), Rotherham (h).Last six results: WLDDLDHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Steve Bruce has a lot of experience in the team and I think they could get automatic promotion. They have players who can score and defensively they are very experienced. Hull returned to winning ways with a convincing victory over Bristol City Steve has done it before, but the pressure is on them. Having come down from the Premier League there is huge pressure on them to be successful. They do have goals in the side but havent scored much recently - before Saturday they had only scored two or more in one of their previous 10 games, so Steve will want that to improve.Getting out of leagues is all about scoring goals, defences keep you in the league, to get out you want goalscorers.Who else will make play-offs and wholl miss out? While Sheffield Wednesday and Derby currently occupy the final play-off places, they have Cardiff and Ipswich hot on their heels, with Birmingham and Preston a bit further back. Derby have won just two of their last six matches while Sheffield Wednesday have won their last three to enhance their play-off hopes. Higginbotham thinks Cardiff could challenge for a top-six finish HIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: I still think Burnley and Hull will get automatic promotion but Cardiff are on a fantastic run and they could challenge for a top-six place. Birmingham will still believe with a game in hand and Derby could be the ones that really suffer because of that. I fancy Boro to go one better than last year and get to the play-off final and put the heartache behind them. If they do end up in the play-offs I think they could be successful this time. English football permutations What could happen this week across the leagues? Betting Burnley and Middlesbrough are unsurprisingly Sky Bets favourites for the title at 5/6 and 6/4 respectively, while the duo are odds-on for promotion at just 1/7 and 2/9. Hull are considered the biggest threat to top spot at 8/1 despite needing to win their game in hand to catch third-placed Brighton, who are 14/1 to lift the trophy, while the rest of the league are all but dismissed.The Tigers are also shorter odds to go up at 5/6 to the Seagulls price of 6/4, while Derby (3/1) and Sheffield Wednesday (4/1) follow in the betting. As for those looking to break into the play-off places, Cardiff are the favourites to do so at 5/2 with the Football League sponsor and 16/1 for promotion, with Ipswich (15/2), Birmingham (18/1) and Preston (33/1) all up against longer odds for a top-six finish. We take a look at the on-loan players from Premier League clubs who impressed in the Football League last month. Who are you tipping for promotion to the Premier League? Leave a comment if youre reading on skysports.com or tweet us @SkyFootball...Watch all the Championship goals as they go in Soccer Special from 7.30pm on Tuesday evening or follow our live blog on www.skysports.com and via the Sky Sports apps.Also See:English football permutationsWATCH: Football League goalsBruce frustrated after drawBlackburn 3-0 Fulham ' ' '