Going into their first Junior World Cup, it might have been fair to say the Austrian hockey team - ranked lowest amongst the participants -- were rank outsiders. Their results in Lucknow are not doing justice to the tag. After holding Argentina to a draw in their opening game, Austria produced yet another upset beating Korea 5-2 in their second Pool A match in Lucknow on Saturday. With four points from two games, the side coached by former India manager Cedric DSouza are currently top of their group and within touching distance of a quarterfinal spot (the top two teams make the last eight)Im ecstatic with the result. Im very proud of the team, says DSouza who also coaches the Delhi Waveriders franchise in the Hockey India League. DSouza said that the fact that the team went in to the tournament as the weakest on paper played to their advantage. We went into the tournament as the lowest ranked side (the Austrian senior team is currently 21st in the FIH rankings. Korea is 11th and Olympic champions Argentina are 2nd) We were the minnows. But that meant that there was no pressure on us, says DSouza.As a result Austria could focus on their strengths. In teams such as Germany, Australia and India, a number of players are in the senior squad as well. Our players dont have the benefit of playing at that high level. We needed to keep our defensive structure. And we have been able to maintain our discipline, he says.DSouza said he knew the Koreans would press hard against his side. Against Korea we knew they would be very attacking so our plan was to hit them on the counter. We played fast and passed often because if we kept the ball for too long, we would be in trouble, says DSouza.That strategy played out perfectly in Lucknow on Saturday. Field goals from Marcel Hilbert (8th minute) and Pit Rudofsky (21st minute) put Austria 2-0 up before Joohan Park (35st minute) pulled one back for Korea just before the break through a penalty stroke. Oliver Binder, who had scored the equalizer against Argentina on Friday, scored Austrias third in the 39th minute through a penalty corner, before Park scored his second through yet another penalty stroke in the 56th to reduce the deficit. Franz Lindengrun made it 4-2 in 60th minute through a penalty corner and Pit Rudofsky rounded off an impressive win in the 62nd minute, scoring his second through a field goal.While the win puts his side in a great position to qualify for the quarterfinals, DSouza says that isnt the teams target. Speaking to ESPN before the tournament, DSouza had said that the seeing the senior team through to the 2020 Olympics was his primary goal, and he viewed Junior WC as a way to groom the youngsters for Tokyo. There are four players who are under 18 in our side for this tournament. This is a great sign for us, he said.For DSouza Saturdays result would be a great milestone on a journey that started in January this year when he was picked as Austrias coach. He had coached Viennese club SV Arminen between 2010 and 2013, helping the side win its first title in 15 years. The president of the Austrian Hockey Federation, Walter Kapounek, had then told him that if there was ever a vacancy for the national teams coach, he would be the first to get a call. Four years later Kapounek drove from Vienna to Antwerp to make the offer in person to DSouza who was then doing commentary for the Hockey World League. At that point I had an offer for a five year contract from a club in Scotland. But I had told them to give me a month to think about it. And then suddenly on the 29th day, Walter drove down to Antwerp to ask me to prepare Austria for the 2020 Olympics. It was a no brainer to agree. What else can you call it but destiny, says DSouza.While his side has had two great results, they have an even bigger challenge coming up next. On Monday, they play Australia. The boys have had a spring in their step after the game against Argentina, but we have a really hard game against Australia. Regardless of the result we need to take lessons from the game. Ive told the boys that our journey is to the 2020 Olympics. Anything else - win or loss-before then is just a pitstop, he says. Swell 500ml Bottle . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. Swell Bottle Nz . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. http://www.swellbottlesnz.com/ .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Swell Bottle 17 Oz Sale . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. SWell Marble Water Bottle .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. The 2016-17 National Basketball League season is shaping to rank among the biggest and best campaigns that Australian basketball has seen, with as many as seven sides capable of capturing a place inside the top four.Trying to pick the side that will win the title is a task about as tough as trying to crack a Playfair cypher. The race for the MVP should be as hotly contested as the battle for ladder positions, with a plethora of impact players taking to the floor.The Sydney Kings finished last season glued to the bottom of the ladder, but youd be silly to have them finishing outside the top four this time around after they spent the off-season retooling and bringing in NBL legend Andrew Gaze as a first-time coach and defending MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Lisch.The stakes were raised early and the rest of the league responded.Melbourne United, after winning the minor premiership last season, have reloaded with former NBA and European player David Andersen. Brisbane have returned to the league, headlined by another former NBA player, Cam Bairstow, while Casey Prather (Perth), Rotnei Clarke (Illawarra), Terrence Ferguson (Adelaide) are other notable players taking to the court this season.We break down every team in the NBL, and their chances heading into the season.Cairns TaipansWhen you add the most physically imposing big man in the competition, its always good news. Nate Jawai joined the Snakes last season, when, while not always dominant, his presence forced opposing teams to structure their defensive structures around him. At the other end, Travis Trice isnt afraid to put his hand up when the light shines brightest having proved at Michigan State that he was more than capable of shutting down any player. Jarrad Weeks was the story of the season last year, with Illawarra Hawks, but can he show his new fan base what all the hype was about?Last season: 6th (12-16) Squad: Matt Burston, Fuquan Edwin, Travis Trice, Nathan Jawai, Cameron Gliddon (capt), Mark Worthington, Stephen Weigh, Alex Loughton, Jarrad Weeks, Mitch McCarron Gains: Nate Jawai, Travis Trice, Mitch McCarron, Nnanna Egwu, Fuquan Edwin, Jarrad Weeks Losses: Markel Starks, Torrey Craig, Matt Burston, Cam Tragardh, Shaun Bruce Key players: Nate Jawai, Cameron Gliddon.? One to watch: Travis Trice. Lockdown defender who shines in big moments. First game: Saturday, Oct. 8 @ Perth Wildcats? Prediction: One team has to finish last; unfortunately for Cairns, that honour belongs to the Taipains. Eighth. Illawarra Hawks The Hawks have lost the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Lisch, and star wing Kirk Penney, but they have got off on the right foot for this campaign by winning the Australian Basketball Challenge. Rebounding was a big talking point last season, with only AJ Ogilvy averaging more than four boards per game, but coach Rob Beveridge addressed that issue through the offseason by bringing in Nick Kay and Michael Holyfield.?Rotnei Clarke should make an immediate impact with his scoring prowess, and hence help to draw the crowds, while Ogilvy will be vital on both ends of the floor if the Hawks are to obtain any success.Last season: Lost semifinal 2-1 to Perth (finished regular season in 3rd spot with 17-11 record) Gains: Rotnei Clarke, Marvelle Harris, Mitch Norton, Nick Kay, Michael Holyfield Losses: Kevin Lisch, Kirk Penney, Jarrad Weeks, Larry Davidson Squad: Rotnei Clarke, Nick Kay, Mitch Norton, Marvelle Harris, Michael Holyfield, AJ Ogivly, Oscar Forman, Rhys Martin, Tim Coenraad, Cody Ellis Key players: Rotnei Clarke, AJ Ogilvy. One to watch: Nick Kay. Rookie of the Year looking to take the next big step. First game: Friday, Oct. 7 vs. Adelaide 36ers Prediction: Will be a tough out, but we dont expect them to secure a finals berth. Seventh.New Zealand BreakersThe 2015-16 runners-up to Perth Wildcats are all but Team New Zealand, having added Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare to the roster that include a total of nine NZ players. Corey Webster was near unstoppable at times last season, and he heads into this campaign after some impressive form overseas. The lack of a true point guard could prove costly for the Breakers, but the veteran presence within this team will hold them in good stead.Last season: Lost grand final 2-1 to Perth (finished 4th during the regular season with a 16-12 record) Squad: Ben Woodside, Rob Loe, Akil Mitchell, Finn Delany, Shea Ili, Kirk Penney, Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie, Mika Vukona Gains: Kirk Penney, Rob Loe, Ben Woodside, Akil Mitchell, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Jordan Ngatai, Izzy Tueta (injury replacement) Losses: Cedric Jackson, Charles Jackson, Tai Wesley, Everard Bartlett, Reuben Te Rangi, Shane McDonald Key players: Kirk Penney, Thomas Abercrombie, Mika Vukona. One to watch: Corey Webster. Superstar with explosive scoring power. First game: Friday, Oct. 7 vs. Melbourne United Prediction: Three times champions and twice runners-up since 2010, they are forever contenders. Can they do it again this season? We say no. Sixth.Brisbane BulletsThe new kids on the block, making their first foray in the league since 2007-08, but theyve built a formidable roster that should have other teams a little rattled. Former NBA player Cam Bairstow will be a focal point for the Bullets, but coach Andrej Lemanis should warrant his fair share of the limelight. His coaching performance with Australias Boomers at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was remarkable, and hell look to add that same pizzazz to thhe NBL.dddddddddddd Theyll be looking to make an early case that they belong among the contenders, and victory over the defending champion Perth Wildcats in game 1 could make a bold statement.Last season: First season back in the competition since folding in 2008 Squad: Jermaine Beal, Adam Gibson, Torrey Craig (import), Mitchell Young, Shaun Bruce, Tom Jervis, Daniel Kickert, Matt Kenyon, Anthony Petrie, Reuben Te Rangi, Cameron Bairstow Key players: Cam Bairstow, Jermaine Beal. One to watch: Daniel Kickert. Instrumental for United last season, he is a stretch big man. First game: Thursday, Oct. 6th vs. Perth Wildcats. Prediction: Big challenger for the title, but they will ultimately just fall short. Fifth.Sydney KingsEverything that could go wrong for the Kings last season, did. They had a season from hell and finished last, and they have gone all out to ensure this season doesnt go the same way. Josh Childress has been the best player in the league the past two seasons -- when he could get on the court - but the Kings should be able to cover his absence given the roster they now boast. Defense wasnt played in Sydney last year, and that was the No. 1 area of concern leading into the offseason. Enter defensive player of the year Kevin Lisch and veteran Brad Newley, who will lead the defensive charge.Last season: 8th (6-22) Squad: Greg Whittington, Michael Bryson, Aleks Maric, Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley, Julian Khazzouh, Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill Gains: Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley, Aleks Maric, Michael Bryson, Greg Whittington Losses: Josh Childress, Angus Brandt, Marcus Thornton, Rhys Carter, Jordan Vandenberg Key players: Kevin Lisch, Julian Kazzouh One to watch: Tom Garlepp adds firepower off the bench. First game: Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. Brisbane Bullets Prediction: A lot of fanfare after a whirlwind offseason, but expectations will be hard to meet. Fourth.Adelaide 36ersThe Sixers looked destined for the finals last season before the injury curse struck star point guard Jerome Randle, and the season plateaued. They have since added athletic bigs who can stretch the floor and run in the open court, and theyre loaded all over the floor; what they lack in experience, they more than make up for in talent. Terrence Ferguson has already proved that he is a highlight film, and he and running partner Randle as his are sure to give opposing coaches nightmares.Last season: 5th (14-14) Gains: Terrance Ferguson, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Eric Jacobsen, Adam Doyle Losses: Adam Gibson, Anthony Petrie, Ebi Ere, Lucas Walker Squad: Eric Jacobson, Terrance Ferguson, Adam Doyle, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Mitch Creek, Daniel Johnson, Brendan Teys, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sobey Key players: Jerome Randle, Terrence Ferguson One to watch: Jerome Randle is tipped to produce an MVP-worthy season. First game: Friday, Oct 7th @ Illawarra Hawks. Prediction: Adelaide always seem to be low on the list of contenders, but they will be big challengers. Third.Perth WildcatsThe reigning champions were a defensive juggernaut last season, and they rode that wave all the way to the title. They will feel the loss of Nate Jawai and Jermaine Beal, but replacements Jameel McKay and Jaron Johnson should open the Wildcats up to a free-flowing offensive scheme. There should be highlights aplenty in Perth this season, but the offence could stagnate at times; provided the team gels, however, look for the Wildcats to make another big run.Last season: Champions. Won grand final 2-1 over NZ (2nd during regular season with a 18-10 record) Squad: Jaron Johnson, Greg Hire, Jarrod Kenny, Matt Knight, Dexter Kernich-Drew, Angus Brandt, Casey Prather, Jesse Wagstaff, Shawn Redhage, Damian Martin Gains: Jaron Johnson, Jameel McKay, Angus Brandt, Dexter Kernich-Drew Departures: Nate Jawai, Jermaine Beal, Tom Jervis Key players: Casey Prather, Jaron Johnson. One to watch: Damian Martin. Wants his title of best defensive player back. First game: Thursday, Oct 6 @ Brisbane Bullets Prediction: They are going to be so much fun to watch, and the wins will roll in. Second.Melbourne UnitedThe minor premiers last season before they were bounced in the first round of the finals by New Zealand. United have since ransacked the Breakers war chest and added Australia Boomers veteran David Andersen, and they will be a major threat all over again. Chris Goulding should go close to capturing his first NBL MVP award, we can expect big scoring numbers each and every week with the firepower they now possess. Falling short in the first round of the finals wont cut it for United; theyre looking to capture the title and it seems like the time is now for them. Can they stand up under the pressure?Last season: Lost semifinal 2-0 to NZ (finished regular season in 1st spot with 18-10 record) Squad: Cedric Jackson, David Andersen, Devin Williams, Ramone Moore, Tai Wesley, Chris Goulding, David Barlow, Majok Majok, Todd Blanchfield, Nate Tomlinson Gains: Cedric Jackson, David Andersen, Devin Williams, Ramone Moore, Tai Wesley Losses: Hakim Warrick, Daniel Kickert, Stephen Holt, Brad Hill, Igor Hadziomerovic, Chris Patton Key players: Chris Goulding, Cedric Jackson, David Andersen. One to watch: Majok Majok. Will be a double-double machine. First game: Friday, Oct. 7th @ New Zealand Breakers Prediction: They want redemption, and we tip they will get it this season. First. ' ' '