11.   With starter Pat Harlow out after an arthroscope on his left foot, Lane has played right tackle from the opening whistle to the final gun.

12.   Al Gore and Bill Bradley began their Democratic campaign debate without waiting for the opening whistle Wednesday.

13.   An icey downpour hit Olympia Stadium at the opening whistle, but Zickler ignored the outburst by jumping on a perfect cross from Italian teammate Ruggerio Rizzitelli.

14.   At Milan, Ronaldo got a standing ovation when he took the field for the opening whistle, before signaling to Argentine coach Hector Cuper that he was hurt.

15.   Australia went on the attack from the opening whistle when center Nathan Grey executed a fine break.

16.   But here, many embraced before the opening whistle.

17.   But the midfielder played from the opening whistle Saturday and stamped the match with his trademark long passes.

18.   Dortmund was dealt a setback against Munich when German national team player Matthias Sammer withdrew shortly before the opening whistle, the sixth key player sidelined by injury.

19.   Dortmund was dealt a setback before the match when German national team player Matthias Sammer pulled out shortly before the opening whistle with an injury.

20.   Even before the opening whistle, the competition had turned ugly.