FOOTBALL IN BRIEF June 30, 2009 Saints on the verge of collapseTHE future of Southampton FC is in serious doubt this morning after the Pinnacle Group, fronted by club legend Matt Le Tissier, pulled out of a deal to take over the cash-strapped club. Le Tissier told how the on-going row with the Football League over the League One club’s 10-point [...]
Eto’o set to snub City and stay at Barca June 29, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY’S audacious bid for Samuel Eto’o hit the buffers yesterday when the Cameroon striker indicated he would snub a world record pay packet and see out his contract at Barcelona. The Spanish club on Sunday admitted they were struggling to hold onto Eto’o in the face of a “stratospheric” £25m bid from City, who [...]
Pearce ‘hurt’ by crushing German loss June 29, 2009 GERMANY U21 (4) vs. ENGLAND U21 (0)ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce admitted his “hurt” after bring humbled by Germany once again. Pearce exited both Euro ‘96 and the 1990 World Cup at the hands of the Germans as a player, now he is suffering the same anguish as a coach after his side were comprehensive [...]
Langer and Perry flew veterans’ flag June 29, 2009 IT was a case of rolling back the years on both sides of the water this weekend as my old mate Bernard Langer and Kenny Perry flew the flag for the more, shall we day, experienced of us golfers. At the age of 51, Bernard was looking to become the oldest European Tour winner at [...]
Chelsea set to land 17m Zhirkov June 29, 2009 FOOTBALL: Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov is set to become new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing this week. Ancelotti takes up his post tomorrow, when Zhirkov, who can also play at full-back, is expected to fly to London to complete a £17m move from CSKA Moscow.
Alonso open to Real Madrid move June 29, 2009 FOOTBALL: Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has welcomed reports of interest from Real Madrid. Real have been linked with a £25m move for the Spain international, although Liverpool are reluctant to sell. Alonso said: “I have not closed any door and we will just have to wait and see what happens. I do not think a [...]
Aussie back Carraro joins Bath June 29, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Bath have signed versatile Australian back Matt Carraro from New South Wales Waratahs. The 24-year-old, who can play at centre or on the wing, has signed a two-year contract at the Premiership club. Head coach Steve Meehan: “He has a reputation as a hard worker and good bloke off the field and these [...]
England women rout Australia June 29, 2009 CRICKET: England’s women thrashed Australia by nine wickets in the opening one-day international in Chelmsford. Spinner Holly Colvin took 3-27 and Katherine Brunt 2-22 as England skittled out the tourists for a paltry 133. Openers Sarah Taylor (68) and Caroline Atkins (48no) got the chase off to a great start, and victory was clinched after [...]
Brave Murray forced to dig deep to win late-night epic June 29, 2009 ANDY MURRAY hailed his 15,000-strong army of fans after battling his way through a record-breaking five-set thriller with Stanislas Wawrinka. Playing under the new Centre Court roof for the first time, the British No1 recovered from a disastrous opening set to clinch an epic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory in a match which finished [...]
Safina tames Mauresmo after scare June 29, 2009 WORLD No1 Dinara Safina became the first player ever to win under the Centre Court roof after surviving an epic battle with 2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo. The top seed was a set down but 4-1 up in the second when the first rain of the Wimbledon week forced play to be suspended for 30 minutes. [...]