Spain boss Del Bosque: Playing Fabregas up front was no mistake June 10, 2012 SPAIN (1) vs ITALY (1) SPANISH coach Vicente del Bosque last night stuck up for his eyebrow-raising decision to name a starting line-up without a recognised centre forward after his team narrowly avoided defeat to Italy during their opening game of the European Championship. The defending champions grabbed a second half equaliser through Barcelona’s Cesc [...]
Di Matteo set for one-year deal at Chelsea June 10, 2012 CHELSEA are today expected to end weeks of speculation by finally handing Champions League-winning interim manager Roberto di Matteo the job on a permanent basis. But the Italian is only likely to get a one-year contract, despite arresting the team’s slump and leading them to an historic first triumph in Europe’s top club competition. Chelsea [...]
Bolt escapes unscathed from early morning car accident June 10, 2012 SPRINT superstar Usain Bolt suffered a huge scare just weeks before the defence of his Olympic 100m and 200m titles when he was involved in a car crash in the early hours of yesterday morning. The world’s fastest man, 25, escaped unhurt from the accident in his native Jamaica, which was also said to have [...]
Pacquiao and Bradley rematch a must, says outraged Arum June 10, 2012 BOXING promoter Bob Arum will look to make a November rematch between Manny Pacquiao and new WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley after admitting the latter’s split-decision win was “unbelievable”. Two judges gave Bradley a 115-113 points victory despite many observers, Arum included, believing Pacquiao to be the clear winner, making a potential superfight with Floyd [...]
Hamilton takes top spot after win in Canada June 10, 2012 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton stormed to the top of the Formula One drivers’ championship last night, with an entertaining victory in the Canadian Grand Prix. At the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where Hamilton secured his first ever F1 win five years ago, the McLaren driver became the seventh different man to win the opening seven races of [...]
Sharapova hails her most special victory June 10, 2012 AN ELATED Maria Sharapova said that winning this year’s French Open was more special than when she won Wimbledon as a teenager, after cruising to victory in the final at Roland Garros. The new world No1 beat Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 in Paris on Saturday to become the 10th woman to win all four Grand [...]
Czech defender confirms racial abuse June 10, 2012 Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie has confirmed he suffered racist abuse during his team’s Euro 2012 defeat to Russia on Friday. The full-back, who is of Ethiopian descent, said his treatment from Russian fans was “nothing extreme”, while the Czechs said they would not submit an official complaint.
Faletau blow for Wales forward June 10, 2012 Wales’ No. 8 Toby Faletau has been ruled out of the rest of their tour of Australia after breaking a bone in his hand during the 27-19 defeat in the first test.
Spain need Torres if they are to defend the toughest title of all June 7, 2012 THE WORLD Cup may be seen as the ultimate prize but the European Championship is actually a tougher tournament. The quality of player is very high so teams have to hit the ground running because if they don’t, they can find themselves out before the knockout stage. This all makes the competition, which starts today [...]
MY FOUR TIPS June 7, 2012 Germany France Holland Spain EXPECTATIONS for England are at an all-time low going into these Euros and I can’t see them enjoying much possession, which is why I hope they focus on pace in attack. Roy Hodgson’s men will need to be hard to beat and hit teams on the break and, with little speed [...]