n Thursday before ultimately losing 5-2. Britain then defeated Pakistan 14-0 on Friday and outlasted a talented Brazil team 4-3 in

Great Britain didnt necessarily expect to win the recent World Baseball Classic qualifier.There were so many unknowns heading into the tournament in Brooklyn, New York, where the winner would advance to the 16-team main draw of next years event. Great Britain manager Liam Carroll wasnt sure exactly what to expect from his team, which was welcoming new members from the Bahamas and United States who were eligible because of British heritage. He also didnt know how this squad stacked up against experienced teams representing Brazil and Israel and a first-time participant in Pakistan.But after going toe to toe with Israel on the first day and withstanding a comeback attempt from Brazil in the penultimate game, a trip to WBC pool play in Korea seemed within reach. Unfortunately for the Brits, they ran into a determined Israeli team that played almost flawlessly in the final game Sunday.Were disappointed, Carroll said after Great Britain lost 9-1 to Israel. I thought we were gonna be Cinderella, and it didnt work out.Sundays final score belies how well Britain played over the course of the tournament, and this years performance was a far cry from September 2012, when the team suffered double-digit losses to Canada and Germany at the WBC qualifier.This time around, Great Britain led Israel 2-1 in the seventh inning on Thursday before ultimately losing 5-2. Britain then defeated Pakistan 14-0 on Friday and outlasted a talented Brazil team 4-3 in an elimination game Saturday. In the final, the Brits held Israel scoreless for the first four innings before their opponents took control with a pair of two-run homers in the fifth.Indeed, Great Britain came close to an impressive breakthrough in Brooklyn. But ultimately, its roster wasnt as deep or experienced as that of Team Israel -- it had 11 current players affiliated with major league organizations, in contrast to 21 for Israel. Britain was also unable to use three of its top pitchers, Chris Reed, Michael Roth and Blake Taylor, in the final game because they had reached pitch-count limits in getting to that point.Although Great Britain experienced a letdown by coming up one victory short of the WBC, Carroll believes the true measuring stick for his team will come in four years.Getting into the World Baseball Classic next time around is still within our mission and vision, Carroll said. Getting to the Olympics in 2020 is still within our timeline. As disappointing as this is, because I thought we really had a chance going in, everything we have written in our vision is coming true.Several factors play into his line of thinking. The British under-15 team reached the final of this years European Championship qualifier. The under-18 squad won twice at this years European Championship to remain in the main draw for the next championship. The Great Britain senior national team won its final two games at this years European Championship, likewise securing a berth in the 2018 field without further qualification.In Brooklyn, the British team proved its top players belong at this level, and it benefited from the services of several Americans and Bahamians who were eligible because of parental connections. Roth, who played in Triple-A for the Texas Rangers this season, limited Israel to one run in six innings on Thursday. Champ Stewart, a Double-A outfielder in the New York Mets organization, went 7-for-15 in the tournament with three RBIs and 11 total bases. Albert Cartwright, who spent 2016 with Ottawa in the independent Can-Am League, went 4-for-13 with five runs and eight total bases. Reed, a London native who played in the Miami Marlins organization this season, held Brazil to one run in 4 2/3 innings of relief on Saturday.Make no mistake, the British team acquitted itself well against formidable opponents on an international stage. So its no surprise that confidence is high within the Great Britain programme to win a WBC qualifier in 2020 and advance to the main draw the following year.Its gonna happen, Carroll said. Were gonna get to the WBC. Adidas Nmd Sko Herre . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Adidas Nmd Dk .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.dknmdskotilbud.com/ .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Adidas Nmd r2 Dame . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Adidas Nmd Dame Tilbud . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59.CLEVELAND -- Nothing else is in rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingos way but some blockers. The Browns signed the No. 6 overall pick in this years NFL draft to a four-year contract on Sunday. The deal, which is worth over $16 million, includes a team option in the fifth year. Mingos agent, Jeff Guerriero, finalized the package with the Browns early in the morning. Mingo had been the teams only unsigned rookie as the sides clashed over "offset" language. However, the agreement means the speedy outside linebacker will not miss any significant time and will be on the field Thursday when the Browns open their first training camp under first-year coach Rob Chudzinski. The Browns were able to keep the offset language in the contract, which means they will not have to pay him the remainder of his deal if he is cut before it expires and signs with another team. Mingo will receive his entire signing bonus by December. The Brownns previously signed their other rookies -- cornerback Leon McFadden, safety Jamoris Slaughter, defensive end Armonty Bryant and guard Garrett Gilkey -- to deals.dddddddddddd The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Mingo played in 40 games at LSU. He made 15 starts and recorded 119 tackles and 15 sacks. Even before he was drafted, Mingo heard skeptics say hes too light to play linebacker in the pros and will have a difficult time against bigger, stronger offensive linemen. However, Mingo insists his weight wont be an issue and the Browns are confident his exceptional quickness will give him an advantage. Mingo played defensive end in college, but will switch to outside linebacker in new co-ordinator Ray Hortons 3-4, multi-front alignment. He mostly worked with the second-team defence in spring practices, behind Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard. Mingo, though, is expected to have an impact on Clevelands defence in his first season. ' ' '