Talking Balls: Shame On Shanxi, Ghastly Guoan & Some Sports Shorts

The Beijing Ducks and Shanxi Brave Dragons have gone to game five in their CBA playoff semi-final. The game was originally set for March 14 but was postponed until March 18 so that everyone could enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. No, actually it was put back because of a near-riot in game four. Shanxi’s fans also took that meeting as an opportunity to shower the court with debris. They've been fined nine times for similar incidents over the last four years. They have just added another RMB 60,000 to the CBA's Christmas party fund. You stay classy, Shanxi.

Tonight heralds the arrival of the new dawn of the CSL in Beijing. Shanghai Shenhua are in town to play Beijing Guoan but they may not play the poster boy of the revolution. Nicolas Anelka is already sulking – or should I say, Le Sulk is battling an injury – so is doubtful. Shanghai and Beijing fans don't get on very well so if you are not going to the match then you might want to give Gongti a wide berth until the blues have been sent on their hopefully miserable way.

It seems you might have no choice on swerving the stadium. Tickets for the game were snapped up in an hour – even though the big derby comes at a premium cost – so your only hope is the ever-benevolent football fans who stand outside before the match. The money that these scalpers want for tonight's game may make your hair fall out.

Also, Guoan will have to stem their current run of two defeats to overcome an expensively assembled Shanghai side. Their last game was a 3-1 loss to Guanghzhou Fuli on the opening day. You can read the match report on Wild East Football, where they also have this on happier days for Guoan fans. Remember that if you can't make it to tonight's game, you can try your luck at the next game: Wednesday night against Brisbane Roar.

The Bank of Beijing China Open snooker starts on March 26. It runs until April 1 when someone will have left the table over RMB 700,000 richer. That’s no joke.

Liu Xiang only managed second in the Men’s 60m hurdles at the recent IAAF World Indoor Championships. Liu has not been having a great time of it of late. Netizens have also been calling for him to be ousted from his role in the Party as he spends too much time with that pesky athletics.

Don't forget that it's Harrowthon this weekend. It's on Sunday at 10am. Details at canyoureallyimaginerunning10kmthemorningafterpaddysday@gmail.com or events@harrowbeijing.cn.

Beijing Bike Week climaxes with a bicycle polo tournament. To find out how the horses ride bikes, go to Sui Anbo Primary School tomorrow. It's what miltary men call a click east of Jinbao Palace. Call 134 2647 4634 for more.

The smart money is on Jeremy Lin becoming the new coach of the New York Knicks. Mike D'Antoni has been relieved of his position after sliding to 2-8 over the last ten games.

Li Na got knocked out of the WTA tournament at Indian Wells. She also says that she will not be silenced: “I know if I say real things many people will hate me, but doesn't matter. I'm happy." We're happy for you.

And finally, it has recently become news that China are utterly woeful at football, basketball and volleyball. And football. Next week, we predict a couple more such bombshells, such as "Leo Messi Good at Football" and "Yao Ming Exposed As Above Average Height."

Photo: WildEastFootball