History repeats! Well kind of. Way back in 1986 the Toronto Argonauts lost to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a two-game total point duo of games and the Ticats went on to win the Grey Cup over the Edmonton Eskimos. What was so unusual was that for the first six quarters Toronto was dominant and when halftime rolled around in the second game all logic said easy victory. Well in the end, Hamilton won 59-56 as Toronto self-imploded and Hamilton capitalized. Fast forward some 27 years and again Toronto dominated (in the first half) and Hamilton came back to win in impressive fashion in the second half and won 36-24. I thought there were three key aspects that determined the game. First, Hamilton scored to end the first half to make the game 24-17 as compared to 24-10 if Hamilton did not score. All of a sudden it was a one-touchdown game. Its much easier to play a second half when you know you only need one touchdown. And that is what happened on the first drive of the second half with a Tiger-Cats touchdown and a 24-24 game. And confidence went from the team in blue to the team in white very fast. Ticats dominated time of possession almost 2 to 1. That was so surprising because during the regular season no team was better at avoiding two plays and a punt more than Toronto. But they had four in the game and three in the third quarter. By the start of the fourth Hamilton was in complete control. The final issue was red zone efficiency. To end the season the Argos were the best in red zone defence. Now you could move the ball with ease from the 20 to the 20 but all year anything inside the 20 the Argos stopped. Not Sunday afternoon, with 30 points scored by Hamilton from the 20 and in with three touchdowns and three field goals. Different Script Out west, yes I thought Calgary could win it by three but completely mis-evaluated the significance of the absence of the two defensive tackles Demonte Bolden and Micah Johnson. Big guys cant do a little guys job in football and little guys cant do a big mans job either. The seven turnovers killed any chance for Calgary but even if the turnovers were significantly less I still dont think Calgary wins. The Riders beat Calgary as much as Calgary beat themselves. Truth is that the West Semifinal was a greater threat to the Riders than the final itself. The BC Lions were close to beating Saskatchewan while the Stampeders never really came close. Grey Cup Promise With both Saskatchewan and Hamilton in the Grey Cup there are many unique stories to unfold. Kent Austin back in Regina. Same with Henry Burris and Andy Fantuz. A third home Grey Cup team in a row and this time with the best football fans. Darian Durant trying for his first Grey Cup win after two losses. George Cortez as an offensive coordinator competing against a team he was the head coach of not long ago. The one hundred and first Grey Cup is easy to make entertaining and interesting. There is no doubt that the Tiger-cats will be heavy underdogs come Sunday and they should be. The Riders beat Hamilton twice, at home 37-0 and at University of Guelph with Drew Willy at quarterback. But until the game is played you never know. Because you know that as a head coach Kent Austin will take an "us against the world" approach. Hell say that nobody gives us a chance and we "have them exactly where we want them". Corey Chamblin will be sending a message more towards "dont underestimate anyone", especially a team that started 1-4, and finished 10-4. Either way in the city of Regina you are guaranteed a great week with two new teams, the hometown fans and two quarterbacks closer to ending their careers than starting them. This years Grey Cup could be one of the best in many different ways. http://www.frsportchaussures.com/nike-roshe-run/nike-roshe-run-hyperfuse.html . -- The Washington Redskins have released running back Ryan Torain, who started four games this season, but fell behind rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster on the depth chart. http://www.frsportchaussures.com/nike-free/nike-free-5-0-v3-femme.html . -- Vander Blue had no doubt where he was going with the ball. http://www.frsportchaussures.com/adidas-originals-superstar-2-0.html . -- C.J. Wilson stopped a mini-slide with his first career victory in Oakland, and it didnt change a thing. http://www.frsportchaussures.com/nike-roshe-run/nike-roshe-run-hyp-qs.html . These were the staples of the exhilarating Denver Nuggets NBA franchise-record 57-win regular season. http://www.frsportchaussures.com/nike-roshe-run/nike-roshe-run-print.html . On Friday, the Argos and Rogers Centre announced theyve signed a lease agreement through Dec.BARCELONA, Spain -- Real Madrid was held to a drab 0-0 at third-division Olimpic Xativa in its Copa del Rey opener on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid started its title defence with an easy 4-0 win at minnow Sant Andreu. Madrid was without suspended forward Cristiano Ronaldo and the flu-stricken Gareth Bale, but not even Karim Benzema, Marcelo, and Luka Modric going on as second-half substitutes could help it break through Olimpics modest, but disciplined defence. Carlo Ancelottis team will still be heavily favoured in the second leg of their round-of-32 tie at home in two weeks. But Olimpics players went beyond merely savoring the moment, and being sure to take Madrids jerseys as prized souvenirs. "We have left the series wide open. Anything can happen now," said Olimpic goalkeeper Francisco Solar, who made a key save to parry Madrids best chance by Isco Alarcon early in the second half. Olimpic installed extra seating at its La Murta Stadium and the small Valencia-based club launched fireworks before the start of its biggest game in recent memory. A moment of silence was held for Nelson Mandela. Olimpic arrived to the match with the nine-time European champion on an unbeaten run in Spains third division. And after Madrids lackadaisical start, it appeared to grow in confidence it could hold its own and ended up having relatively little trouble recording its eighth straight game without conceding a goal. Ancelotti said his players were not accustomed to playing on the artificial turf. "It wasnt a great game, but it wasnt too bad," Ancelotti said. "I am satisfied. We dont have to be worried." Also, Celta Vigo beat visiting Athletic Bilbao 1-0 to take the advantage in their tie. Levante became the first topflight team to lose to a lower-division opponent after falling 1-0 at Huelva Recreativo, while Getafe drew 1-1 at second-division Girona. With various veteran stars injured or restiing, it was a night for some of the more promising talents to shine in the wins of Atletico and Celta.dddddddddddd Atletico coach Diego Simeone left strike duo Diego Costa and David Villa on the bench for the first hour, opting for a starting 11 with just four regular starters and featuring youngsters Oliver Torres and Javier Manquillo. It was still more than enough to overpower Sant Andreu. "This team doesnt let up for any game," said Manquillo, Atleticos promising 19-year-old right back. "We considered this cup match was like any other and we always respect our rival, no matter who it is." Raul Garcia almost scored just seconds into the match at the modest Narcis Sala Stadium in Barcelonas northern suburbs. But he succeeded in the 13th after he volleyed Filipe Luis out-swinging cross unmarked at the far post. Arda Turan then slotted in Manquillos back pass in the 20th, and he scored again from a series of tightly knit passes in the 56th that included two audacious back-heeled flicks by Adrian Lopez and Garcia to set up the Turkey international. Villa sealed the victory in the 84th from a pass by Diego Costa. Celta Vigo also turned to a youth player to edge Bilbao in the days only matchup between first-division teams. After both sides went close several times at Balaidos Stadium, Celta striker Santiago Mina celebrated his 18th birthday by scoring the follow-up of his own initial strike that Bilbao goalkeeper Iago Herrerin did well to block but couldnt hold on to in the 71st. Celta 35-year-old forward Mario Bermejo went on as a late substitute in his first action since tearing his left knee ligament in May. Recreativo defender Ruyman Hernandez headed in the winner one minute into stoppage time to down Levante. Getafe forward Ciprian Marica used a bicycle kick to fire in a poor clearance in the 38th, cancelling out David Timors free kick that gave Girona the lead in the 16th. cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '