11.  George W. Bush is heading to the first showdown with Al Gore, encouraged by news the two are tied in two traditionally Democratic-leaning states.

12.  Having already beaten Kournikova twice in junior tournaments, Hingis was by far the more mature player in their first Grand Slam showdown.

13.  It will be the first Olympic showdown between the two sides in any sport since Croatia seceded from Yugoslavia five years ago.

14.  Ministers and other government officials who were to accompany Mobutu on his first face-to-face showdown with Laurent Kabila were at the airport ready to depart.

15.  The first showdown in the long jump turned out to be a disaster for both.

16.  The first showdown came with a Solomonic decision from a state judge in Tallahassee.

17.  Cuper will hope Inter can strike a blow for Italian football in their first leg showdown however.

18.  The game marked the first meaningful showdown between Lemieux and his former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Jaromir Jagr, the Czech captain now a member of the Washington Capitals.