Contador battles in vain to ride on with broken leg July 14, 2014 A GRUELLING Tour de France claimed its latest high-profile victim yesterday when two-time winner Alberto Contador was forced to retire after breaking his leg in a crash. Patched-up and bleeding, the Spanish rider ploughed on for 20km with a fractured right shin before admitting defeat and joining 2013 champion Chris Froome and fellow Briton Mark [...]
Even Blatter surprised by Messi World Cup best player decision July 14, 2014 WORLD football chief Sepp Blatter has admitted that even he was surprised by the much-criticised decision to award Argentina’s Lionel Messi the Golden Ball for the World Cup’s best player. Messi finished with four goals – two behind top scorer James Rodriguez, of Colombia – but did not register at all during the knockout stages [...]
Wiggins set for U-turn and new Team Sky deal July 14, 2014 TOUR de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins expects to stay at Team Sky but to change his focus to breaking the world hour record and winning a fifth Olympic gold medal in 2016. Wiggins had been tipped to seek a move from the British outfit in a bid to challenge for more of cycling’s Grand [...]
Farah admits he may miss out on Commonwealth Games run July 14, 2014 DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah has thrown his participation at the Commonwealth Games into doubt after revealing he does not know whether he will be fit to race in Glasgow. Farah, who had intended to go for a repeat of his London 2012 5,000m and 10,000m double later this month, is behind schedule with his [...]
Super subs key to German World Cup victory, says Schweinsteiger July 14, 2014 GERMANY’S World Cup final man of the match Bastian Schweinsteiger believes extraordinary squad depth was the deciding factor in their successful bid for a fourth triumph. Two substitutes in Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze combined to fashion the extra-time winner against Argentina on Sunday, while stellar talents such as Julian Draxler did not get off [...]
Mario Gotze’s winner ensures Brazil World Cup is best ever for goals scored July 14, 2014 As substitute Mario Gotze raced into the penalty area, executed the perfect chest control and slotted the ball beyond Argentinian goalkeeper Romero, he did not only win the World Cup for Germany. He also ensured that Brazil 2014 would go down in history as the World Cup with the most goals, equalling the 171 goals [...]
World Cup: Super Mario puts Germany top of world July 13, 2014 GERMANY 1 ARGENTINA 0 AET, 0-0 after 90 minutes SUBSTITUTE Mario Gotze climbed off the bench to score a breathtaking extra-time winner as Germany beat Argentina to win their fourth World Cup last night at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Gotze settled a gripping final in the 113th minute with a supremely composed chest-and-volley [...]
Football Comment: Low’s men primed to enjoy lots more highs July 13, 2014 THEY were he best team on the night and deserving winners over the whole tournament – this was Germany’s occasion and it might just be the dawning of a new era. Germany looked sharper and stronger than Argentina in the final, despite having to deal with the twin blows of losing Sami Khedira in the [...]
England draw with India and give spinner Kerrigan a second chance July 13, 2014 ENGLAND cricket captain Alastair Cook is ready to hand left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan another Test chance after resorting to bowling himself in a vain attempt to beat India in the first Test yesterday. Cook provided an unlikely highlight in the final session of a draw at Trent Bridge when he claimed his maiden Test wicket, [...]
Sport Comment: Fans shed crocodile tears over England’s World Cup woe July 13, 2014 SO THAT’S it then. Now we can get on with the real thing. The World Cup has been just an idle distraction. A catwalk of talent auditioning for parts in the main production which starts in just four weeks’ time. How many more players are Arsenal going to sign? Should Chelsea give a clearly burnt-out [...]