MILAN - Javier Zanettis last home match at the San Siro was celebrated with a win as Inter Milan beat Lazio 4-1 to all but guarantee a Europa League berth from the Serie A on Saturday. Air Max In Offerta . Zanetti will retire after 19 seasons at Inter, and the stadium was sold out as fans packed in to bid farewell to their 40-year-old captain. Lazio threatened to spoil the party when Giuseppe Biava scored the opening goal inside two minutes to stun San Siro. However, Rodrigo Palacio scored twice, either side of Mauro Icardis strike, and Hernanes netted against his former club to secure victory. At the end of the match, footage was shown on the big screens of Zanettis greatest Inter moments, and the clearly emotional player was led out by his family, peers and club presidents, with all his teammates wearing shirts with his number four on it. To chants of "theres only one captain," Zanetti took the microphone and thanked the fans and teammates. "I have always tried to honour and defend the Inter shirt in every country in the world," he said. "I learnt to love it thanks to you, I will love you forever. A very lovely career is coming to an end for me. I dont know what I will do but now one thing is certain: I will defend Inter even off the pitch." Players from across the globe also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Zanetti, including former teammate Mario Balotelli, who wrote, "Javier Zanetti is an example of humanity and professionalism for all of us!" Inter has five points more than Torino and six more than Parma and AC Milan, who all have two matches remaining. It is the same number of points above Hellas Verona, which squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Udinese following a superb goal from Antonio Di Natale. Verona and Inter have only one match remaining. Inter coach Walter Mazzarri was resoundly booed before kickoff when it was revealed Zanetti was starting on the bench. The 20-year-old Mateo Kovacic - who was less than four months old when Zanetti made his Inter debut - set up two of the goals with delightful throughballs. The Inter players hugged Zanetti after every goal, and the Argentine was eventually sent on seven minutes into the second half to a raucous standing ovation. Zanetti was wearing a special captains armband for the occasion. It had the words "Zanetti 4 Ever" in large letters over a background with the name of all his Inter teammates past and present. In Verona, substitute Badu came off the bench with minutes left and drilled in a stoppage-time equalizer for Udinese with a low shot into the corner. Luca Toni put Verona in front from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Alessandro Agostini was tripped by Allan. It was the veteran strikers 20th league goal of the season. Emil Hallfredsson doubled Veronas lead in the 54th before Di Natale pulled one back two minutes later in stunning fashion. The Udinese forward controlled the ball with his back to goal and swiveled to fire a volley under the bar with his second touch for his 190th Serie A goal. Air Max Saldi Online .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. Air Max Offerta Online . TSN 1290s coverage begins with Hustler & Lawless at 3pm. Rick Ralph hosts the Official Jets Pre-game Show at 5pm.RENTON, Wash. -- For the first time since the middle of November, the Seattle Seahawks saw No. 11 on the practice field Thursday. Whether Percy Harvin gets back on the field for Seattle in time for its divisional playoff game on Jan. 11 will be closely watched over the next week. But at least one important teammate thinks Harvins time to return has come. "Hes ready to go I think. But well see. Youve got to listen to the trainers and coach (Pete) Carroll and see how hes feeling," Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said after Thursdays practice. "That just adds another element to our game. If we can add Percy Harvin hes explosive as can be. He has a great knack for the game. Hes very physical, loves to just to make big-time plays. If we can get him out there that will be great if thats the case." Harvin was not available to speak about his return and the team was not required to submit an injury report since they have a bye this week as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. But just seeing Harvin on the field is a stunning turn from a week ago when it was hinted that he could be headed for injured reserve and shelved until the 2014 season. Instead, the Seahawks could be getting a dynamic playmaker back in time for the post-season. "We want him at 100 per cent. Whenever hes ready to go, we want to make sure that Percy Harvin is ready to go," Wilson said. "If he is, man that is something else. He can make a lot of plays for us, do a lot of special things like the rest of the guys." Harvin missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season following hip surgery in early August. He returned in Week 11 against Minnesota and caught one pass and had a 58-yarrd kickoff return. Air Max Scontate Italia. Harvin was then sidelined again by what Carroll called "soreness" following his debut. One of the important moments in the decision to get Harvin back on the practice field was a 15-minute throwing session he had with Wilson on Monday morning. Carroll noted on Monday that Harvin had run well, but did not mention the time spent catching passes with Wilson. "Didnt throw too much, just kind of caught the ball, threw with him, played a little pitch-and-catch. He did a great job," Wilson said. There is no guarantee that Harvin will play even with him practicing. The only week hes practiced extensively the entire season was leading into the game against Minnesota when Harvin faced his former team. He was in for 19 offensive snaps and two on special teams, but was unable to get back on the field following Seattles bye in Week 12. Carroll was cautious on Monday about whether Harvin would be able to get back enough to contribute and emphasized that even if he did it would not change how the Seahawks do things offensively. But it could change how the Seahawks are defended with his presence on the field drawing additional attention and possibly opening up opportunities for other receivers such as Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin. Seattles pass game has struggled the final month of the regular season with Wilson throwing for more than 200 yards once in the final four games. "If he can help his team, then thats great and weve never ever said that this changes anything for us," Carroll said on Monday. "Hes one of the terrific, young players on the team and were hoping that he can do his part and fit in." ' ' '
MILAN - Javier Zanettis last home match at the San Siro was celebrated with a win as Inter Milan beat Lazio 4-1 to all but guarantee a Europa League berth from the Serie A on Saturday. Air Max In Offerta . Zanetti will retire after 19 seasons at Inter, and the stadium was sold out as fans packed in to bid farewell to their 40-year-old captain. Lazio threatened to spoil the party when Giuseppe Biava scored the opening goal inside two minutes to stun San Siro. However, Rodrigo Palacio scored twice, either side of Mauro Icardis strike, and Hernanes netted against his former club to secure victory. At the end of the match, footage was shown on the big screens of Zanettis greatest Inter moments, and the clearly emotional player was led out by his family, peers and club presidents, with all his teammates wearing shirts with his number four on it. To chants of "theres only one captain," Zanetti took the microphone and thanked the fans and teammates. "I have always tried to honour and defend the Inter shirt in every country in the world," he said. "I learnt to love it thanks to you, I will love you forever. A very lovely career is coming to an end for me. I dont know what I will do but now one thing is certain: I will defend Inter even off the pitch." Players from across the globe also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Zanetti, including former teammate Mario Balotelli, who wrote, "Javier Zanetti is an example of humanity and professionalism for all of us!" Inter has five points more than Torino and six more than Parma and AC Milan, who all have two matches remaining. It is the same number of points above Hellas Verona, which squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Udinese following a superb goal from Antonio Di Natale. Verona and Inter have only one match remaining. Inter coach Walter Mazzarri was resoundly booed before kickoff when it was revealed Zanetti was starting on the bench. The 20-year-old Mateo Kovacic - who was less than four months old when Zanetti made his Inter debut - set up two of the goals with delightful throughballs. The Inter players hugged Zanetti after every goal, and the Argentine was eventually sent on seven minutes into the second half to a raucous standing ovation. Zanetti was wearing a special captains armband for the occasion. It had the words "Zanetti 4 Ever" in large letters over a background with the name of all his Inter teammates past and present. In Verona, substitute Badu came off the bench with minutes left and drilled in a stoppage-time equalizer for Udinese with a low shot into the corner. Luca Toni put Verona in front from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Alessandro Agostini was tripped by Allan. It was the veteran strikers 20th league goal of the season. Emil Hallfredsson doubled Veronas lead in the 54th before Di Natale pulled one back two minutes later in stunning fashion. The Udinese forward controlled the ball with his back to goal and swiveled to fire a volley under the bar with his second touch for his 190th Serie A goal. Air Max Saldi Online .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. Air Max Offerta Online . TSN 1290s coverage begins with Hustler & Lawless at 3pm. Rick Ralph hosts the Official Jets Pre-game Show at 5pm.RENTON, Wash. -- For the first time since the middle of November, the Seattle Seahawks saw No. 11 on the practice field Thursday. Whether Percy Harvin gets back on the field for Seattle in time for its divisional playoff game on Jan. 11 will be closely watched over the next week. But at least one important teammate thinks Harvins time to return has come. "Hes ready to go I think. But well see. Youve got to listen to the trainers and coach (Pete) Carroll and see how hes feeling," Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said after Thursdays practice. "That just adds another element to our game. If we can add Percy Harvin hes explosive as can be. He has a great knack for the game. Hes very physical, loves to just to make big-time plays. If we can get him out there that will be great if thats the case." Harvin was not available to speak about his return and the team was not required to submit an injury report since they have a bye this week as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. But just seeing Harvin on the field is a stunning turn from a week ago when it was hinted that he could be headed for injured reserve and shelved until the 2014 season. Instead, the Seahawks could be getting a dynamic playmaker back in time for the post-season. "We want him at 100 per cent. Whenever hes ready to go, we want to make sure that Percy Harvin is ready to go," Wilson said. "If he is, man that is something else. He can make a lot of plays for us, do a lot of special things like the rest of the guys." Harvin missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season following hip surgery in early August. He returned in Week 11 against Minnesota and caught one pass and had a 58-yarrd kickoff return. Air Max Scontate Italia. Harvin was then sidelined again by what Carroll called "soreness" following his debut. One of the important moments in the decision to get Harvin back on the practice field was a 15-minute throwing session he had with Wilson on Monday morning. Carroll noted on Monday that Harvin had run well, but did not mention the time spent catching passes with Wilson. "Didnt throw too much, just kind of caught the ball, threw with him, played a little pitch-and-catch. He did a great job," Wilson said. There is no guarantee that Harvin will play even with him practicing. The only week hes practiced extensively the entire season was leading into the game against Minnesota when Harvin faced his former team. He was in for 19 offensive snaps and two on special teams, but was unable to get back on the field following Seattles bye in Week 12. Carroll was cautious on Monday about whether Harvin would be able to get back enough to contribute and emphasized that even if he did it would not change how the Seahawks do things offensively. But it could change how the Seahawks are defended with his presence on the field drawing additional attention and possibly opening up opportunities for other receivers such as Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin. Seattles pass game has struggled the final month of the regular season with Wilson throwing for more than 200 yards once in the final four games. "If he can help his team, then thats great and weve never ever said that this changes anything for us," Carroll said on Monday. "Hes one of the terrific, young players on the team and were hoping that he can do his part and fit in." ' ' '
