Armenia sets record, climbs 41st in FIFA rankingsReview of February 10-17 sports events. Football: Armenia climbed 4 positions to be placed 41st with 639 points in the FIFA rankings released on February 15. February 17, 2012 PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s rivals at FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers are placed as follows: Italy is 8th with 1115 points, Denmark – 10th with 1090 points, Czech Republic climbed to 29th place with 775 points, Bulgaria is 88th with 408 points, Malta dropped to 159th place with 133 points. World and European champion, Spain tops the FIFA rankings; followed by Germany and the Netherlands (1369 and 1359 points resp.). Armenian Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan noted that Gyumri stadium is likely to host Armenia’s youth team matches. On June 12 Armenia U-21 squad will face Andorra at European Football Championship qualifiers. With 8 points Armenia comes 3rd in 3rd qualifying round. Czech Republic tops standings with 10 points. Weightlifting and boxing: Second numbers of the Armenian team are likely to perform at European Weightlifting Championships to be held on April 6-15 in Antalya, Turkey, Armenian Weightlifting Federation President said. According to Samvel Khachatryan, the weightlifters who perform well at Armenian championships due Feb 22-26 are likely to be included in the Olympic team. “Currently 64 Armenian weightlifters are having team practice sections in Armenian cities of Abovyan, Gyumri and resort town of Tsaghkadzor,” Mr. Khachatryan said. From February 20-26, Armenian sportsmen will participate in international boxing tournament in Bulgaria. According to Armenian team’s head coach Karen Aghamalyan, 6 boxers will represent Armenia. “The squad is currently training in Abovyan. The line-up for the tournament is as follows: Hovhannes Danielyan (49 kg), Baregham Harutyunyan (52 kg), Hovhannes Bochkov (56 kg), Vladimir Sarukhanyan (60 k.g.), Artur Khachatryan (81 kg) and Sergo Poghosyan (+91 kg). From March 8-16, another tournament will be held in Finland with 6 Armenian boxers participating: Koryun Soghomonyan (49 kg), Narek Abgaryan (52 kg), Aram Avagyan (56 kg), Ara Puluzyan (64 kg), Hrayr Matevosyan (69 kg) and Andranik Hakobyan (75 kg). The head coach noted that these tournaments will determine contenders for the tournament in Trabzon, Turkey due on April 13-22. Tennis: Four-time finalist Argentina sealed the tie against Germany on February 11, as doubles pair David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank rallied to upend Philipp Petzschner and Tommy Haas in five sets. Argentina is through to the Davis Cup quarterfinals, having built an unreachable 3-0 advantage over Germany. Veteran David Nalbandian and partner Eduardo Schwankfell were behind two sets, then rallied to seal the win in five, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Team Argentina had a 2-0 edge heading into the doubles rubber following successful singles results from Nalbandian and Juan Monaco. They are scheduled to take on either Croatia or Japan in the quarterfinals, which takes place in early April, Tennistalk.com reported. After knocking French No. 2 seed Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-2 in 68 minutes David Nalbandian made it to 2012 Brasil Open quarterfinal held in Sao Paolo. However, Nalbandian later dropped out of the tournament after suffering a defeat by Filippo Volandri from Italy. The player confirmed his participation in the Copa Claro 2012, scheduled for February 18-26 in Buenos Aires. Gohar Nalbandyan, Hasmik Babayan / PanARMENIAN News Most popular in the section Olympic medals and courageous victories Hard training path Glorious path of Armenian football star When weakness is not a verdict More articles in this section How Armenian athlete stole Olympic flag, returned it and got a medal Story worth reading The way to championship Armenian athletes tell about struggle for medals Armenian wrestlers share impressions on European Championship Armenia's Greco-Roman wrestling team headed by Olympic champion Levon Julfalakyan came back home with one gold and two bronze winners. | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |