1.   As unlikely as it sounds, this combination of the spontaneous and the studied blends beautifully into an agile, exotic hybrid.

2.   Two operations were needed to save his foot, and playing rugby again seemed as unlikely as Newport beating the All Blacks.

3.   Another panel, on strengthening democracy, lists participants as unlikely as the crown prince of Bahrain and President Joseph Kabila of Congo.

4.   A Jeff Reboulet home run was just about as unlikely as a no-hitter.

5.   Breaking that apart would have been as unlikely as taking the movie studios out of town.

6.   But McDermott is just as unlikely as the billionaire.

7.   By early this afternoon a rescue looked increasing unlikely as Peregrine units across Asia suspended operations.

8.   By late today, a rescue looked increasing unlikely as Peregrine units across Asia suspended operations.

9.   For such a notoriously loose-lipped company, the secret was as unlikely as Ken Starr keeping his investigation under wraps.

10.   Of course, the trio could still end up together, but that is as unlikely as the players and owners settling their differences before Christmas Day.