Spofforth lands first gold July 28, 2009 SWIMMING: Gemma Spofforth last night smashed the world 100m backstroke record to take Britain’s first swimming gold medal in the pool at the World Championships. Spofforth, 21, powered home in the last 50m to pip Russia’s Anastasia Zueva and win in 58.12 seconds. Meanwhile, 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was beaten by Germany’s Paul [...]
Beaten Armstrong hits back July 28, 2009 CYCLING: Lance Armstrong has hit back at Astana team-mate and Tour de France winner Alberto Contador as the pair’s war of words continued. Contador described his relationship with the seven-time winner as “zero”, but Armstrong said: “If I were him I’d drop this drivel and thank his team. Without them he doesn’t win.”
Eye damage leaves Massa’s career in the balance July 27, 2009 FELIPE MASSA’S career in Formula One was left hanging in the balance last night after his neurosurgeon confirmed he had suffered damage to his left eye during Saturday’s horror smash in Hungary. The Ferrari driver is in intensive care at the AEK military hospital in Budapest after suffering a fractured skull in a freak accident [...]
Spurs seal 9m Crouch deal as Bent heads to Sunderland July 27, 2009 TOTTENHAM last night agreed a deal with Portsmouth to sign striker Peter Crouch in a transfer believed to be worth around £9m. The England front man underwent a medical at White Hart Lane yesterday before agreeing personal terms with the north London club. At the same time, however, Spurs are ready to offload Crouch’s England [...]
Terry: I didn’t hold Chelsea to ransom over City switch July 27, 2009 ENGLAND and Chelsea captain John Terry insists his delay in snubbing Manchester City was not an attempt to coax a pay rise from his current employers. Terry says that as yet he has not been rewarded with an improved contract for turning down the £250,000 a week deal on offer at Eastlands. A new deal [...]
Strauss ready for backlash from Aussies July 27, 2009 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss has warned his charges to expect their toughest Ashes clash yet when the third Test gets under way on Thursday. Last week’s victory at Lord’s has given England a 1-0 lead in the series and raised hopes that they could repeat the 2005 victory on home soil. But Strauss, who confirmed [...]
Bell: I thought Ashes dream had passed July 27, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell admits he had to scrap thoughts of playing in the Ashes after being dropped earlier this year. The Warwickshire man has been handed an international recall for the third Test against Australia, which starts on Thursday at Edgbaston. Bell replaces the injured Kevin Pietersen in batting at number four as England [...]
Reds seal refinancing deal with RBS and Wachovia July 27, 2009 LIVERPOOL’S owners have ended months of uncertainty by refinancing £290m of debt they accrued in buying the club. The deal with Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia is believed to have extended Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s repayment period for a year. The Americans are also thought to have agreed to pay back £60m of [...]
Frustration on the big stage July 27, 2009 ALL things considered, last weekend’s Senior Open Championship at my home course, Sunningdale, was probably the biggest tournament I’ve ever played in. I worked as an assistant at Sunningdale before turning professional and have been a member there for over 40 years. To play there in an Open Championship was pretty special and words can’t [...]
Bendtner to snub Milan for Arsenal July 27, 2009 ARSENAL striker Nicklas Bendtner has rubbished suggestions he is set to join AC Milan and pledged his future to the Gunners. The Dane, 21, has been linked with a move to the Italian giants, who are in the market for a forward. But Bendtner, who scored twice in Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Hungarian outfit Szombathely [...]