Goalie Javier Jimenez got down to bloc

[lw789]

BARCELONA, Spain - Mercedes rivals hope a busy three weeks of tinkering on their slower cars and the move to European tracks will be enough to at least threaten Lewis Hamiltons and Nico Rosbergs stranglehold on Formula One. The Mercedes pair head into Sundays Spanish Grand Prix after sweeping the first four races in impressive style, with the most compelling driving coming between the teammates while the pack puttered away in the distance. The switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines has dislodged Red Bull as F1s dominant team after four seasons, and Mercedes was also dealing far better than the rest with the new powertrain and other rule changes. Hamilton has led a Mercedes one-two finish with Rosberg in the last three races after the German won the season opener. The silver-and-teal duo have also taken all four pole positions, and set the fastest lap at each grand prix. "We are now four races into the 2014 season and hold a strong position in both championships," Mercedes team executive director Toto Wolff said. "However, the first European round of the year always provides a prime opportunity for teams to arrive with improvements to their cars. Of course, we are no different to any other team in that respect and our aim must be to increase the advantage we enjoyed at the last race in China." Neither Hamilton nor Rosberg has yet to win at the Circuit de Catalunya, although they did take the top two positions in qualifying here last year. Rosberg, who has a four-point lead over Hamilton in the championship, said that after years of racing and preseason tests at Barcelona "there is probably no other track in the world" that he knows better. "I also have some good memories of race weekends in Barcelona," Rosberg said. "Last year (...) I started from pole position so Im looking forward to going back there again, and maybe repeating that particular feat. Each team will have been pushing hard during the break to find some extra performance from new parts. So it will certainly be an interesting weekend." Red Bull will be counting on making strides after a dismal start to Sebastian Vettels title defence. Vettel has yet to finish better than third place, and has twice been ordered by his team to let new teammate Daniel Ricciardo pass him for higher finishes in the last two races. Vettel said a lot would depend on doing well in Saturdays qualifying because the track design offers few chances to challenge front-runners. The Montmelo circuit features one long straightaway before the first corner, which is considered the best for overtaking. It is also known to be tough on tires. Paul Hembery, the director of tire provider Pirelli, said that despite the tracks abrasive surface and high temperatures they expected teams to need only three pit stops instead of four as they have made in the past. Ferraris Fernando Alonso proved last season that wise tire management and smooth pit stops can be enough to compensate for a lack of overall speed. Alonso enters the race in a distant third place, with 41 points to Rosbergs 79 and Hamiltons 75, but after managing to finally reach the podium at Shanghai in Ferraris first race under new team principal Marco Mattiacci. The two-time former world champion has a strong record in front of his home fans, with wins here both last year and in 2006 to give him seven career podium finishes at the Spanish GP. His victory one year ago was Ferraris last as a team. With Alonso and teammate Kimi Raikkonen far behind the pacesetters, the Italian team will need a near perfect weekend to break its poor run. "With Fernando weve seen an extraordinary level of performance, scavenging every possible point at every possible opportunity," Ferrari technical director James Allison said. "We are learning how to get performance out of this new set of regulations, and hopefully to make this car more competitive. The key to a successful season is to keep improving your car at every race." . Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks were proof of that on Wednesday night. .Brazil midfielder Ricardo Goulart scored the winner in the 50th minute to give the defending champion a four-point advantage in the standings over second-place Sao Paulo, which beat rival Palmeiras 2-0. http://www.cheapcowboysjerseyselite.com ... omo-jersey. -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. .com) - It may just be the right place and the right opponent for the Detroit Red Wings to snap their longest losing streak of the season. . - The Raiders have released guard Mike Brisiel after two disappointing seasons in Oakland.BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi marked his 400th game for Barcelona with a master class of passing by setting up four goals to give Cristian Tello a hat trick in a 4-1 win at Levante in Wednesdays first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal. Denied by the hosts in the first half, Messi withdrew into midfield to turn playmaker and place four precise passes behind the defence that led to an own goal in the 53rd minute and Tellos treble in the 60th, 81st and 86th. Levante had held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium just four days earlier in the Spanish league, and it was on course toward a similar feat after Nabil El Zhar netted in the 31st. But Messi again showed that he is much more than Barcelonas all-time scorer with 331 goals since his debut in 2004 by exploiting Tellos speed down the left flank with well-timed assists. "Its spectacular to have a player like Messi on your side," said Tello. "All four goals came from his boots." Elsewhere, Real Sociedad defender Mikel Gonzalez scored twice to help earn a 3-1 victory at home over third-division Racing Santander in their opening leg. Levante found Barcelonas weak spot in defending set pieces when Carles Puyols clearance of a free kick fell for El Zhar to score at the second attempt after goalkeeper Jose Pinto had blocked his powerful first shot. Barcelona was more inspired after the break and Messis first pass to Tello led to the equalizer. Goalie Javier Jimenez got down to block Tellos shot, but Loukas Vyntra struck the loose ball off teammmate Juanfran Garcia and into the net.dddddddddddd Messi again floated back to the centre of the pitch to draw the defence with him before threading another pass to meet Tellos run, and this time the forward fired the ball beyond Jimenez to give Barcelona the lead. The Argentina star fended off a tackle and slid a diagonal ball for Tello to score his second before Messi picked him out with a pass over the top for his third goal. "Our first half worried me, but we have players that dont need 45 minutes to turn the match around," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. "(Messi) can change this and any other game. He can undo any type of defence. The tiredness of our rivals played its part and the spaces opened up as they wore down. Leo took great advantage of them." Puyol had to be replaced by Javier Mascherano in the 57th due to an apparent leg injury. The 35-year-old Puyol has been plagued by a series of injuries for the past two seasons. Martino, however, said that Puyols injury was "only a leg knock." Sociedad forward Gonzalo "Chory" Castro crossed twice for Gonzalez to score his goals, the first coming in the third minute followed by another in the 34th — just two minutes after Racings Andreu Guerao had hit the crossbar. Carlos Vela curled in Sociedads third in the 62nd, but Mahamadou Kone gave Racing hope for next weeks return leg by scoring in the 83rd. Defending champion Atletico Madrid plays Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Real Madrid won 1-0 at Espanyol on Tuesday. ' ' '