Ward has fought only three times in the last three years

BORDEAUX, France -- Theyre Europes most successful soccer nations. Theyre arguably the form teams at this European Championship. Theyre the two countries that almost always rise to the occasion in major tournaments.Germany vs. Italy: Its a game fit for a final.Except one of them wont even get past the quarterfinal stage at Euro 2016.The continental heavyweights -- owners of eight World Cups and four European Championships between them -- collide in Bordeaux on Saturday in a match that stands out for many reasons.Firstly, theres the skewed history of their meetings in major tournaments. Germany and Italy have played each other eight times at the highest level and, bizarrely, the Germans havent recorded a single victory.We still have a score to settle with the Italians, Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said.Then theres the nations current standing in soccer. Germany came into Euro 2016 as the world champion and, to many people, the tournament favorite. Italy arrived with what many back home were saying was the worst team in years.The Germans have largely lived up to their billing, conceding no goals in four matches and hitting their stride with a 3-0 win over Slovakia in the round of 16. The Italians have silenced the critics with arguably the best two displays of any team so far, 2-0 wins over highly fancied rivals Belgium (in the group stage) and then Spain (in the round of 16).Im not singing with the choir that wrote us off (after a 0-0) against Poland and is now branding us absolute favorites after the win over Slovakia, Germany coach Joachim Loew.Theyre not the Italians that we normally know, Loew added. Theyre not only focused on defense but they play very, very well going forward. So ... I believe well have a very interesting, highly charged game on Saturday.While Italy is battle-hardened after a tougher-than-average group stage and then a match against defending champion Spain, theres a sense that Euro 2016 really starts here for Germany.Loews side strolled through its group and Slovakia didnt prove to be a real test.The Italians certainly will be.Loew had his biggest disappointment as Germany coach when his team lost 2-1 to Italy in the Euro 2012 semifinals. He was assistant manager to Juergen Klinsmann when Italy beat Germany in extra time in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup that Germany hosted.Germanys barren run against the Azzurri in major tournaments started with a 0-0 draw at the 1962 World Cup.You dont prepare a game saying we won the one before, well win the next one, Italy midfielder Alessandro Florenzi said. We went to work immediately after Spain, we watched the video and tried to find weaknesses in a team that doesnt have many.The facts speak for themselves, theyre world champions, theyve won so many matches, thats what gives them confidence.Italys chances of continuing its impressive streak in this fixture are being undermined by a midfield crisis. Already without Claudio Marchisio, Marco Verratti and Riccardo Montolivo because of pre-tournament injuries, Italy coach Antonio Conte is without the suspended Thiago Motta and Antonio Candreva (groin), while Daniele De Rossi (thigh) is a doubt.As for Germany, left back Jonas Hector has had a cold this week but is expected to be OK for Saturday.This could be Contes last game in charge of Italy before he takes over as manager of Chelsea in the English Premier League. He has given tactical masterclasses against Belgium and Spain, and another might be needed against a Germany side that has a point to prove.We have no Italy-trauma, Loew saidThe world is just about to find out. Nike Presto x Off White Nere .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Uomo . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. http://www.airforce1justdoit.it/sb-scarpe-scontate.html . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Air Force 1 Just Do It Uomo Italia . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Air Force 1 In Saldo . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. LAS VEGAS -- Andre Ward has done just about everything in boxing except the one thing that truly defines fighters these days -- headline a pay-per-view card in this gambling city.Its been a long time coming but he can check that off Saturday when he meets Sergey Kovalev in what might be the best fight of what has been a down year for the sport. The two meet for Kovalevs light heavyweight titles in a rare matchup of unbeaten fighters in their prime.Ive been here so many times for so many fights. I just wasnt fighting, Ward said. The difference is Im the headliner now and it feels good. What this town represents for the sport of boxing, its an honor to be headlining here.The fight is a classic clash of styles, pitting the slick-boxing Ward against a big puncher who has knocked out almost everyone put in front of him. Its also a Cold War reprise of sorts, with Ward a 2004 American Olympic gold medalist and Kovalev coming from Russia without much love for his challenger.Im going to deal with the elephant in the room: This is Russia vs. the USA, Wards manager, James Prince, said at the final prefight news conference this week. And the best of Russia cant beat the best of the United States of America. In nothing!Actually, Kovalev has fought most of his career in the U.S., has a home in Los Angeles and has made himself fluent in English. But this is boxing, and theres a pay-per-view to sell for $64.95 to fans who havent reached into their wallets for recent bouts.The fight itself needs no extra hype. Oddsmakers slightly favor Ward for his ability to win a decision, but neither fighter has lost and Kovalev is always just one big punch away from ending any fight.I will try to make it an interesting fight, Kovalev said. If Andre Ward wins the fight all boxing fans will lose some interesting fights in the future because his fights are boring. If I win they will see interesting fights again.Ward has fought only three times in the last three years because of an injured shouulder and a court dispute with his late promoter, Dan Goossen.dddddddddddd Hes a former 168-pound champion now comfortable at 175 pounds, and has not lost a fight, amateur or pro, in 20 years.If theres a knock against him its that hes defensive minded and has rarely fought outside his hometown of Oakland, California. Hes also never captured the hearts of casual fight fans, even while long being considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.Everyone has their own journey and this is how the chips fell, Ward said. I think its just a good thing its happening now. Just finding the right opponent has something to do with it. Something where people want to come and travel from around the country to see the fight.The right opponent seems to be Kovalev, who came to America from Russia seven years ago to try to make his mark in boxing. He fought on undercards in small arenas for years before finally becoming a regular attraction on HBO, largely because of his knockout power.Hes even more popular at home in Russia, where promoters say the fight will be televised live on state-run broadcaster Channel One.America gave me opportunity, Kovalev said. Its two great countries for me. I love both countries, which is why I have two houses, Russia and America. Im very comfortable with the people and the boxing in America.Both fighters are 30-0, though Kovalev has 27 knockouts to 15 for Ward, who was the last American to win a boxing gold medal when he did it at the Athens Olympics 12 years ago. Ward counters that power with better speed, more experience, and the confidence that not having lost since the age of 13 can give a fighter.Hes a good boxer and obviously he can punch, Ward said. Hes stubborn and Im stubborn. Whos going to break? Thats what it comes down to. Its about going out there and doing it and Ive done it my entire career. ' ' '