London 2012: The Countdown Series: Vanuatu

55 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Next up on the parade of nations: Vanuatu (VAN).

Vanuatu has participated in the summer Olympics since 1988; none of their athletes have won a medal in the Olympics.

As of now, Vanuatu will send three to London, to compete in various events in judo and table tennis.

Up next: Venezuela

Stanley Cup Finals 2012-Starts Wednesday.

Marty. McSorley's. Illegal. Stick.

Those four words will haunt the Kings forever since their 1993 run to the Stanley Cup Final in which they lost to the Habs (last Canadian franchise to hoist Lord Stanley).

The Kings, with such youth in their lines, with a supporting role by goalie Jonathan Quick, who has been phenomenal throughout this postseason, could silence the naysayers to the fact that an eighth seed could win it all. We'll see.

On the other hand, with almost two decades in the league and three Cups to show for, could this be the last hurrah for Devils starting goalie Martin Brodeur?

Why am I posting these questions? Because this is it. One of the oldest trophies in sport will be awarded within the next couple weeks.

STANLEY CUP FINAL
(best of seven)
(6E) Devils v (8W) Kings
Game 1-5/30
Game 2-6/2
Game 3-6/4
Game 4-6/6
Game 5-6/9*
Game 6-6/11*
Game 7-6/13*
*-if necessary

Every game is on free to air on either CBC or NBC.

Why is this significant? BECAUSE IT'S THE CUP.

2012 NBA Version of the 'Final Four'

Already underway with the game ones in the book, with the Spurs and Heat taking game ones. The rest of the series could be interesting.

WEST final
(best of seven)
(1) Spurs v (2) Thunder
Game 1-5/27 (won by Spurs)
Game 2-5/29
Game 3-5/31
Game 4-6/2
Game 5-6/4*
Game 6-6/6*
Game 7-6/8*

EAST final
(best of seven)
(2) Heat v (4) Celtics
Game 1-5/28 (won by Heat)
Game 2-5/30
Game 3-6/1
Game 4-6/3
Game 5-6/5*
Game 6-6/7*
Game 7-6/9*
*-if necessary

All games of the Western final are on TNT, while the East are on ESPN or ABC.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uzbekistan

56 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uzbekistan (UZB).

Uzbekistan has participated in the summer Olympics since 1996. A total of 17  medals have been won by Uzbeki athletes in the summer games, including four gold medals.

Artur Taymazov (pictured) is the only multiple gold medalist for Uzbekistan in the Olympics, with two gold medals. The wrestler scored both gold medal victories in the finals of the freestyle super-heavyweight (wrestling). His first gold was at Athens 2004 when he defeated Ali Reza Rezaei (IRI) in final, and at Beijing 2008, defeated Bakhtiyar Akhmedov (RUS) in the final.

Boxer Mukhammad Kadyr Abdullayev won the first gold medal for Uzbekistan, by way of his win in the men's light-welterweight (boxing) final over Ricardo Williams Jr. (USA) at Sydney 2000.

Wrestler Alexsandr Dokturisvhvili won gold in the Greco-Roman middleweight (wrestling) at Athens 2004, defeating Marko Yli Hannusksela (FIN) in the final.

As of now, 50 Uzbeki athletes are headed to London to compete in twelve events, including athletics, boxing, swimming, cycling, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.

Up next: Vanuatu

The Ten Best Songs of EUROVISION 2012! Handpicked!

As expected, Loreen's blowout win in the voting at Saturday's EUROVISION Song Contest in Baku, could result in the single "Euphoria" gaining worldwide exposure in the months to come. "Euphoria" was one of my favorite songs from this year's EUROVISION, but there were some others that I thought stood out.

Max Jason Mai "Don't Close Your Eyes"

The Slovakian act's song didn't fair well with the voting in the second semifinal, but it's a good song.

Engelbert Humperdinck "Love Will Set You Free"

Despite a poor showing, Engelbert delivered very well and I thought because of the artist's namesake, he would win it all!

Loreen "Euphoria"

No doubt about it, she was in my top ten in the Grand Final on Saturday, and had to be one of the best songs of this year's EUROVISION.

Compact Disco "Sound of Our Hearts"

Great effort by the Hungarian band.

Kaliopi "Crno I Belo"

Some liked it, some didn't. I liked it because it was powerful.

Kurt Calleja "This is the Night"

Great effort representing a tiny country.

Buranovskiye Babushki "Party for Everybody"

These grannys rock!

Sinplus "Unbreakable"

One of the best of the competition, and this was the one I thought could win it all.

Litesound "We are the Heroes"

Another effort that was short on voting as the Byelorussians had a great effort, nonetheless.

Sofi Marinova "Love Unlimited"

Another effort I thought would have made the finals, despite a tie with the Norwegian acts, failed to make it in Saturday's grand final. Really a great track despite what the naysayers said about it.

So that's my opinion. What is yours? Feel free to reply in the comments!

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Uruguay

57 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Uruguay (URU).

Uruguay has participated in the summer Olympics since 1924. A total of ten medals have been won by Uruguayan athletes in the summer games, including two gold medals.

The only gold medals won by Uruguay in the summer games were in 1924 and 1928 by the men's football (soccer) team. In 1924, the men's football (soccer) team defeated Switzerland in the final, and at Amsterdam 1928, defeated Argentina in the final. No gold medals have been won for Uruguay since.

The most recent medal for Uruguay was won by track cyclist Milton Wynants (pictured), who earned the silver for his runner up finish in the men's points race on the track at Sydney 2000.

As of now, 26 Uruguayan athletes are headed to London to compete in seven events, including events in athletics, swimming, judo, and cycling. In addition, men's football (soccer), carrying momentum from the senior squad's 2010 performance in South Africa, has qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Uzbekistan

Your 2012 EUROVISION Song Contest Winner!

This is Loreen with "Euphoria"!

For the record, Engelbert Humperdinck finished 25th in overall voting.