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." Adidas Stan Smith Prisjakt . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. 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Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Black Norge . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday.WASHINGTON -- Tim Duncan scored a season-high 31 points Wednesday night before fouling out in the second overtime, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Washington Wizards for an NBA-high 16th time in a row, holding on for a 125-118 victory. Patty Mills scored 11 of his 23 points in the two overtimes for the Spurs, who havent lost to the Wizards since a 110-95 defeat on Nov. 12, 2005. The Spurs moved ahead of Miamis 15-game domination of Charlotte for the longest current team-vs.-team streak in the league. Duncan also had 11 rebounds, and Danny Green added 22 points for San Antonio, but Tony Parker left at halftime with tightness in his lower back and did not return. The Spurs, 2-0 in the early days of their nine-game rodeo road trip, were already without Manu Ginobili (tight left hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (broken left hand). John Wall scored 29 points, and Bradley Beal had 19 for the Wizards, who were trying to shatter their second longstanding barrier in a week. On Monday, they beat the Portland Trail Blazers to move above .500 for the first time since 2009. Duncan fouled out with 4:13 remaining, but Green hit a 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 122-117 lead with 1:16 to go. The Wizards went 0 for 11 from the field in the second extra period. The Spurs blew a seven-point lead in the first overtime, when Wall scored six points in the final 10.2 seconds. Wall stole an inbounds pass and made a layup with 1.4 to go to force another five minutes of basketball. The Spurs trailed by 17 in the first half. Wall got off to a strong start, shooting 6 for 8 for 14 points in the opening periodd.dddddddddddd San Antonio committed seven turnovers in the first quarter, six in the second. A steal by Wall turned into a fast-break dunk by Beal that gave the Wizards their biggest lead, 55-38, late in the half. The score was 62-48 at the break -- the most points allowed by the Spurs in the first half this season -- but Duncan took over in the third, scoring 14 of his teams first 21 points. San Antonio played a turnover-free quarter, and Cory Josephs jumper gave the Spurs their first lead since early in the first. Garrett Temples buzzer-beater put the Wizards ahead 83-82 headed into the fourth. Duncan tied it at 99 with 1:02 remaining, the final points of regulation. NOTES: As a student of Russian culture, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich offered some thoughts on the Winter Olympics in Sochi. "One would wonder with everything thats going on why it would be put in a dangerous spot, when you think about the Caucasus and that area and whats going on," he said. "At the time when the Olympics were won it wasnt maybe as much in the forefront in everybodys mind. Since that time a lot of things have happened, and you could almost make the case of Where is it not dangerous in the world?" ... Popovich said his wife will make him watch figure skating during the Olympics. "Very honestly when they fall I feel awful for them," he said. "Just like somebody missing two free throws at the end of a basketball game and they go home and want to jump off a building. ... I dont care what country it is, it just drives me crazy so I cant watch. I turn away like its a horror movie." ' ' '