Big Shots for November 24, 2009

Another week, and another world tour of great sports photography. Soccer was big this week, with the American MLS Cup championship, final qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, the Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai, and leagues across Europe in full swing. But there was plenty of action from other corners of the planet, including the Luge World Cup in Alberta, cycling's UCI Track World Cup in Melbourne, and the World Weightlifting Championships in South Korea. ( 28 photos total)

A skateboarder performs during an exhibition show at the Grand Palais in Paris November 20. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Javier Torres (left) of Spain kicks the ball as he vies with Medardo Lobos of El Salvador during their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai November 17. (KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) #

Afghan boys play soccer along a road in Kabul November16. (REUTERS/Jerry Lampen) #

South African children play football in the mountains of Eastern Cape November 19. (ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) #

Girls from Amherst High School follow their pre-race ritual at the 2009 MIAA state cross country final meet in Northfield, Mass. (Globe Photo/Nancy Palmieri) #

Maria Mukhortova of Russia is spun by her partner Maxim Trankov during their free skate in the pairs competition at the 2009 Homesense Skate Canada International in Kitchener, Canada November 21. (GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images) #

Mongolian Ozeki Harumafuji (right) is pulled down by his compatriot Tokitenku during the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan November 17. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) #

Josh Koscheck reacts after he was struck in the eyes during a mixed martial arts welterweight bout against Anthony Johnson November 21 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) #

Brazil's Leandro Vissotto Neves (left) and Theo Lopes kiss the trophy during the award ceremony of the men's volleyball World Grand Champions Cup after winning gold medals in Nagoya, Japan November 23. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye) #

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (middle) fends off Indiana Pacers players during an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis November 20. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) #

Grand Valley State students show their school spirit before the start of the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships in Evansville, Ind. November 21. (AP Photo/The Evansville Courier & Press/Jason Clark) #

A man secured to a rope jumps off a tree during the "Let's Go!" festival, held to promote an active outdoors lifestyle, in a forest near the village of Zelenoe, Belarus November 22. (REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko) #

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman holds up the MLS Cup with teammates after Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup championship soccer match at Qwest Field in Seattle November 22. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey) #

Algerian soccer fans react in Marseille November 18 after Algeria defeated Egypt in a World Cup 2010 qualifying playoff soccer match that took place in Khartoum. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) #

Models pose for photographers prior to the Macau GT cup race event, part of the 56th Macau Grand Prix, November 22. (Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images) #

Emily Hansen, Elizabeth Pelton, and Elizabeth Beisel pause during the 2009 USA Swimming Foundation Golden Goggles Awards November 22 at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Beverly Hills. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images) #

Saskatchewan Roughrider fan Jeff Berner cheers before the western final game against the Calgary Stampeders at Mosiac Stadium in Regina November 22. (REUTERS/David Stobbe) #

American Alissa Czisny reacts as her marks are posted for her short program in the ladies' competition at the Skate Canada figure skating competition November 20 in Kitchener, Canada. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson) #

Yoon Jin-Hee of South Korea lifts during the women's 53kg category event at the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, South Korea November 22. (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) #

The Toronto Raptors' Jose Calderon (right) talks to head coach Jay Triano during a break in play against the Orlando Magic in the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto November 22. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch) #

Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after his helmet fell off versus the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field November 22 in Chicago. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) #

Manchester United's Antonio Valencia (right) vies with Everton's Leighton Baines during their English Premier League football match at Old Trafford in Manchester November 21. (ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) #

Leverkusen's Arturo Vidal vies for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match against FC Bayern Munich in Munich November 22. (OLIVER LANG/AFP/Getty Images) #

Craig Adams of the Pittsburgh Penguins plays the puck along the boards against the Anaheim Ducks at Mellon Arena November 16 in Pittsburgh. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) #

American Erin Hamlin takes a preliminary run in the Tiscover Challenge Cup during the Veissmann Luge World Cup November 20 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

Asier Maeztu Billelabeitia of Spain competes in the men's individual pursuit qualifying session during the 2009 UCI Track World Cup at Hisense Arena November 19 in Melbourne. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) #

Rowers are silhouetted during sunset on the Potomac River in Washington November 16. (REUTERS/Molly Riley) #

A boy skimboards on the shore on the resort island of Boracay in the Philippines November 21. (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco) #

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Big Shots for November 24, 2009