LIVERPOOL, England -- Scarves donated by football clubs across the world were laid out in the centre circle at Anfield, forming the shape of the number "96" beneath a clear blue sky. Outside the stadium, two middle-aged men -- one wearing a Liverpool shirt and the other an Everton jersey -- shared a warm embrace next to the famous Shankly Gates. Tuesday was the day the global football community, and in particular Merseysiders, united to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death during an FA Cup semifinal. The focal point on a day of commemoration and remembrance was Anfield, where Liverpool players past and present and the families of the victims were among the estimated 30,000 people who attended a moving memorial service. Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez, the managers of Liverpool and Everton, delivered readings and then made short addresses in which they paid their respects to the men, women and children who died in Britains worst sports tragedy. Both earned standing ovations. "We will always strive to honour the families and the memory of the 96 that we lost," said Rodgers, his voice beginning to tremble. "Youll Never Walk Alone," he added, a nod to the clubs anthem. Bells from churches across the region rang 96 times and Liverpools public transport came to a halt for a minutes silence at 3:06 p.m. (1406 GMT) -- the time the fateful match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped following a crush in a standing-only section of Sheffield Wednesdays Hillsborough ground. A short memorial also was held across Stanley Park at Evertons Goodison Park, after which schoolchildren led a procession to Anfield holding 96 linked football scarves. And tributes poured in from across the world, with FIFA President Sepp Blatter sending a letter to the English Football Association in which he expressed "my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the 96 who so tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster." Flags at FIFAs member associations were flown at half-mast on Tuesday. UEFA President Michel Platini and British Prime Minister David Cameron also sent their condolences to the victims families of the 96. It isnt just the disaster that has left a deep scar on the club and city. The grieving families have spent 25 years seeking justice after authorities initially sought to place the blame on the victims by characterizing the tragedy as a result of hooliganism. The original accidental death verdicts were overturned by the High Court in London in 2012 after documents uncovered a coverup by police, and fresh inquests into the fatalities are currently being held in a bid to get the deaths officially described as unlawful killings. The inquests have been adjourned this week because of the anniversary. "The authorities took on the wrong city if they thought they were going to get away with it," Martinez said to loud cheers. The service was interrupted on two occasions by chants of "Justice for the 96." Accompanying the grieving and ongoing suffering of the families is a sense of optimism that justice is about to be served. There is also a feel-good factor in Merseyside because of the exploits of the two clubs this season, with Everton on course to qualify for next seasons Champions League and Liverpool top of the Premier League by two points as it seeks a first championship in 24 years. "Stress is good," Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said in the direction of the Liverpool squad at the end of her address, "... it makes you fight and I know that is what you are going to do to get this championship." The service started with local clergymen reading out the names of the 96 victims, with a light being lit inside a Band of Life sculpture in memory of each person. It ended with 96 balloons being released as fans sang a stirring rendition of "Youll Never Walk Alone." Andreas Athanasiou Jersey . - Mark Sanchez found out the New York Jets had acquired Tim Tebow on a conference call with team management. Steve Yzerman Red Wings Jersey . - Mike Magee converted two penalty kicks in a 10-minute span of the first half and the Chicago Fire beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Sunday. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/bob-probert-jersey/ . -- Two out of three aint bad. 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Djokovic defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the first semifinal. Nadal has beaten Djokovic at the French Open in all five of their meetings, starting with a quarterfinal victory in 2006. They also met in the semifinals in 2007, 08 and 13, and in the final in 2012. The second-seeded Djokovic, however, has beaten Nadal the last four times they have played, including on clay in the final in Rome last month. "Im going to try to be aggressive, because that is the only way I can win against him," Djokovic said.dddddddddddd "I know that, of course, this is the court hes most dominant on. He has only lost one time in his career. This is where he plays his best." The winner on Sunday will also be ranked No. 1 on Monday. Nadal is currently at the top, but needs to extend his French Open winning streak to 35 matches to stay there. He certainly played like the No. 1 on Friday. Nadal jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, then broke early again in the second and third sets. The Spaniard had six break points in the entire match, and converted each one. Murray, meanwhile, couldnt even manage to earn a single break point. Besides his eight titles at the French Open, Nadal has also won twice at Wimbledon, twice at the U.S. Open and once at the Australian Open. Sampras won 14 major titles in his career, but never the French Open. The record holder is Roger Federer with 17 Grand Slam titles. He won his 14th in Paris in 2009, the only French Open in which Nadal lost a match. ' ' '