FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF July 18, 2010 Pletikosa set to join Spurs TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp says he is close to finally signing experienced Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. The Spartak Moscow stopper almost joined Spurs last summer before injury scuppered the deal, but Redknapp did not drop his interest altogether. “I might be taking another goalkeeper from Croatia – Pletikosa,” said Redknapp. [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS July 18, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. WINNER – PAUL THE OCTOPUS So popular is the psychic cephalopod that his German keepers have snubbed a cash-plus-animals bid [...]
McIlroy off to flying start as records go tumbling July 15, 2010 RORY MCILROY rewrote the record books with a scintillating opening round in the Open Championship at St Andrews yesterday and then admitted: “the course was there to be taken apart”. The 21-year-old fired seven birdies and an eagle at the par-four ninth for a flawless 63 – only the second nine-under-par round in Open history. [...]
Tiger looks menacing on a day of low scores July 15, 2010 TIGER WOODS says he is “getting better every week” after leaving himself perfectly poised to challenge for a third successive Open victory at St Andrews. The world No1, who won the Open title here in 2000 and 2005, fired a five-under-par 67 to lie four shots adrift of overnight leader Rory McIlroy. Woods has been [...]
Heskey quits England duty before Capello swings axe July 15, 2010 ENGLAND striker Emile Heskey has retired from international duty at the age of 32. Heskey was never prolific for his country, scoring just seven times in 62 appearances, but endured a particularly disappointing World Cup. “I have enjoyed every moment of my England career and worn the shirt with pride every time I have been [...]
HMRC scuppers Pompey bid to exit administration July 15, 2010 PORTSMOUTH face more months of uncertainty after the taxman blocked their attempt to come out of administration. HM Revenue and Customs yesterday lodged an appeal at the High Court against Pompey’s proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement. A hearing is not expected to be held before October, leaving the club hampered by a transfer embargo as they [...]
Goodbye Wild Thing and hello Mild Thing July 15, 2010 JOHN DALY rolled back the years with a stunning 66 to continue his love affair with St Andrews. The 44-year-old won the Open here 15 years ago, showed he’s lost none of his touch around the famous links with a stunning opening round which consisted of seven birdies and just the one bogey on the [...]
Westwood shines in wind and rain July 15, 2010 ENGLAND’S Lee Westwood may be nursing a ruptured calf muscle but that did not stop him from hitting the ground running at St Andrews. Westwood (right) began his campaign to finally claim a first Major title with an impressive five-under-par opening round of 67. The world No3 might have carded an even lower score had [...]
Unfortunate Poulter’s green with envy July 15, 2010 IAN POULTER was left to rue a number of missed opportunities – but insisted he is still in with a shout of mounting a title challenge. The world No8 hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation but struggled with the putter as he carded a one-under-par 71. “The golf course was as easy as it’s [...]
It’s Red Bulls not Les Bleus for Henry July 15, 2010 FRANCE striker Thierry Henry has called time on his international career after being unveiled as a New York Red Bulls player. And the striker, 32, promised to be a better servant to Major League Soccer than David Beckham by staying “fully committed” to his club. Henry, who won 123 caps and scored 51 goals, said [...]