dd Twenty-two tennis courts could fit inside the 62,500 square-foot roof opening.There are already retractable roofs over the main stadiums

College football is still months away, and while thats literally eating away at all of our souls, the sports gods have been pretty good to us lately. We just finished up one of the greatest NBA Finals ever, and the U.S. made a semifinal run in Copa America.Were also nearing the end of what has been a spectacular Euro 2016 over in France. Futbol -- I mean soccer -- is growing more and more in popularity over here in the States, and even college footballs best havent been strangers to showing their growing interest in the sport over the years.Like the SEC blog did with the World Cup two years ago, we thought itd be fun to figure out the college football equivalents to the Euros final eight.I wonder if college football will adopt the jersey swapping tradition.Germany Alabama: No matter what, deep down you feel like these are the teams to beat. Germany just won the World Cup and Alabama just won the national championship. Both are loaded with talent, their defenses are suffocating and they both have overcome slow starts to hit their offensive strides late. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (the best in the world at his position) can pretty much be linked to just about every middle linebacker Nick Saban has coached at Alabama. Germany has seven combined World Cup and Euro championships, while Alabama claims roughly 151 national championships.France Ohio State: Both of these squads have tons of talent all over the place, but that talent is young, and you arent really sure how far it can go. However, its tough not to get excited about two teams that have the pieces to win it all right now. France was a favorite coming into the tournament, and the Buckeyes will be a playoff favorite as well. Quarterback J.T. Barretts rise, importance and style of play at Ohio State essentially makes him Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet rolled into one.Portugal LSU: Both squads always have elite, championship-level talent. You just cant help but want to pick both to win something exceptional each year. However, with all that talent have come disappointing finishes. Total hype killers. Leonard Fournette and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered by many to be the best in their respective sports, but Fournette and his Tigers sank after his Heisman train was derailed in early November last season, and Ronaldo has zero Euro or World Cup championships with Portugal.Belgium Clemson: The Tigers own one of the most exciting, fast-paced offenses led by Heisman front-runner quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman. Belgium also has one of the worlds most exciting, fast-paced offenses led by Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard. Both clearly have the talent to win a title this year, but both can struggle with defensive consistency. Remember, Clemson surrendered at least 5.7 yards per play in seven games last year, including a season-high 6.7 in the national championship loss to Alabama.Italy USC: Two storied programs with pasts full of titles, but heading into 2016, both are being overlooked as title contenders. Italys surprise run into the final eight -- and that 2-0 upset of Spain -- would resemble a Clay Helton-led USC run this fall. Like Italy, outside of a couple of stars (JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adoree Jackson), you arent sure if the Trojans have the talent to win a title, but its still hard to overlook them.Wales Ole Miss: Both teams have a few household names that people will recognize. Chad Kelly is the Gareth Bale for Ole Miss, while Aaron Ramsey could represent top defensive end Marquis Haynes. But what are really expecting from either this year? Hugh Freeze has certainly built up Ole Miss to a true SEC West contender, but are we ready to put the Rebels in the playoff in 2016? And is Wales really gonna win it all? Like, really?Poland Michigan State: Two tough, gritty teams that are more than happy to methodically grind it out until the bitter end. Neither gets a ton of respect (which Michigan State loves), but we kind of like what they are. However, not many really know a ton about either. Everyone knows Polands Robert Lewandowski, and everyone knew Michigan States Connor Cook. But outside of die-hard fans, can you seriously name more than five starters for either? No, yet they still have some solid guys who can carry them in crunch time.Iceland Georgia Southern: Cinderella. Iceland has the smallest population in the tournament and qualified for the first time ever, while knocking off some big boys in the process. The most recent is England, which would be 2013 Florida. Iceland winning it all would be like Georgia Southern, which is new to the FBS level, winning it all in a magical playoff run in 2016. Not gonna happen, but, man, it would be awesome. MLB Jerseys . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. NHL Jerseys . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Custom Jerseys . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Soccer Jerseys . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. NEW YORK -- The third time was the charm for the new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium.The U.S. Tennis Association unveiled the $150 million roof over the centerpiece court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday -- after some glitches.The roof closed with ease in its first official demonstration, but tennis legend Billie Jean King tried multiple times to open it with the push of a button. Her third attempt succeeded.Matt Rossetti, president of the architectural firm that drew up the roof plan, said the issue could happen at the upcoming U.S. Open but a team of engineers would be on hand to fix it if necessary.The roof, which is the size of 17 Olympic swimming pools, will be ready when the U.S Open begins on Aug. 29. The mens final was delayed a day until Monday because of rain for five straight years from 2008-12.USTA officials had long maintained that adding a roof over Ashe wasnt feasible. But in 2013, Rossetti created a plan and the roof was added over two years.Here at the Billie Jean Tennis Center, we are making the impossible happen, USTA executive director Gordon Smith said.Moving at a top speed of 25 feet per minute, thhe roof over the 23,771-capacity stadium is built to close or open in under seven minutes.dddddddddddd Twenty-two tennis courts could fit inside the 62,500 square-foot roof opening.There are already retractable roofs over the main stadiums at the sites of two other Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. French Open organizers also plan to add one.The Ashe roof is expected to be used only for rain, unlike the Australian Open, which also closes its roof in cases of extreme heat. The Chase name and logo will be on both the north and south sides of the roof for the U.S. Open.Ashes retractable roof features two panels atop a 6,500-ton steel superstructure and is covered to provide shade for the spectators. Some 360 LED sports lights will illuminate the roof and stadium when closed. To control humidity inside the stadium when the roof is closed, a chilled water ventilation system was installed.The U.S. Open roof is part of a $500 million-plus renovation paid for by the USTA. The renovation included adding new courts. ' ' '