Italy, at their consoles rather than on the pitch, emerged the virtual champions of UEFA's eEuro-2020.
The 'eNazionale' beat Serbia 3-1 in the best-of-five final, the decisive goal coming in the 90th minute of the fourth match from gamer Lorenzo Insigne.
En route to e-glory Italy overcame one of the big favourites France 2-0 in the semi-finals but only after extra-time and penalties.
With Euro 2020 postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said before the tournament got under way that the lockdown had been a boon for eSports.
"We have seen an explosion of events over the past few months because it represents an alternative for sports fans," he told AFP.
"And some of them have attracted significant audiences.

Italian gamers win UEFA's eEuro-2020

PTI Automatic

The decision to let Liverpool's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid go ahead may have "led to 41 additional deaths" due to the coronavirus, the Sunday Times reported.
Jurgen Klopp's side faced the Spanish club in a second-leg last 16 tie at Anfield on March 11 in front of a crowd of some 52,000, with 3,000 visiting supporters in attendance.
The match was the last major football fixture played in England before the coronavirus lockdown.
According to the Sunday Times, Edge Health, which analyses data for Britain's National Health Service, estimated the match was "linked to 41 additional deaths" at nearby hospitals between 25 and 35 days later, compared with similar hospital trusts that were used as a control.
Imperial College London and Oxford University have estimated Spain had around 640,000 positive coronavirus cases at the time that the match went ahead compared to 100,000 in Britain at that stage.
March also saw jump horse racing's four-day Cheltenham Festival in ...

Liverpool-Atletico match linked to '41 additional' virus deaths - report

Tiger Woods says while his surgically repaired back may never be 10-out-of-10 again, it won't stop him from being healthy and ready to go when the PGA Tour starts up again.
The 44-year-old Woods says he's been able to use the down time during the coronavirus pandemic to get himself in shape for an expected condensed fall golf season.
"It is going to be interesting," said Woods during a four-man charity golf tournament in Florida on Sunday.
"I am used to trying to peak for majors in April, May, June and July, forever. Now this (COVID-19) has changed everything. It is fluid. It is on the fly."
Asked to rate how his back feels on a scale of one to 10, Woods said, "Well, let's just say 10 is not what it used to be."
PGA stars Woods and Phil Mickelson and two NFL quarterback legends Peyton Manning and Tom Brady squared off in an entertaining made-for-television charity golf event on Sunday that raised $20 million for coronavirus relief efforts.
The 18-hole match included nine holes of ...

Woods-Manning prevail in star-studded match, raised $20m for charity

Tennis, anyone? Not Sunday at the French Open. Nobody was there. Maybe they will be in September.
It should have been the first day of the clay-court Grand Slam tournament held annually at Roland Garros  with thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams.
Instead, the grounds in leafy western Paris were deserted on a sunny, blue-sky day because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Every year it's Roland Garros time, it's a bit like tennis fever. I was looking forward to seeing quality tennis and having a day out again. There's a certain mood, an atmosphere, said 34-year-old Hector Snowman, who attended the tournament in 2019.
You see stars walking around there, it feels like a privilege to be there. Everyone's expecting a French player to do well and they have their favorites like (Roger) Federer.
Court Philippe Chatrier, where 15,000 fans cheered Nadal's record-extending 12th title last June, wouldn't have needed the new roof that was supposed to ...

Tennis, anyone? Not on this sunny Sunday at the French Open

The final day of a women's exhibition tournament in Florida featuring several WTA players was washed out by rainstorms, organizers announced.
"It's disappointing, but overall the team at UTR are so excited to bring back tennis and live sports across the world," said tournament director Stephen Amritraj.
"We've gotten so much interest globally from people who love what we're doing." Heavy downpours in the West Palm Beach area wiped out the final portion of a match between Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomljanovic.
The winner was scheduled to meet Alison Riske in Sunday's UTR Pro Match Series final.
Sunday's third place consolation match was also called off. All matchers were played in a shortened format in which the first player to four games with a two-game lead wins the set.
The three-day, four player exhibition tournament was billed by organizers as the first professional women's tournament in the US since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March.
Riske, at 19th in the world, .

Rain wipes out Florida women's exhibition event

Around Europe, football is waking up from the coronavirus shutdown, but it is different to before for players and supporters and it is changing behind the scenes too.
While the German Bundesliga returns in stadiums devoid of fans, the sport is preparing for an economic crisis which will impact all levels of the game.
That will be particularly visible in the transfer market, where it has become the norm to see leading clubs splash out 100 million-euro fees.
Damien Comolli has observed events from afar having left his role at Turkish club Fenerbahce in January.
The ex-Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur sporting director told AFP he foresees fees dropping by "between 30 and 50 percent compared to the usual prices, and a reduction of 70-75 percent in terms of activity."
In particular, the loss to clubs from matchday revenue as a result of games being played behind closed doors will impact budgets.
When it comes to signing players, those in charge of recruitment at clubs have also simply not .

Football clubs forced to rethink recruitment strategy as virus impacts transfer market

Sweet-toothed striker Timo Werner bagged a hat-trick as RB Leipzig thrashed Mainz 5-0 to climb back to third in the Bundesliga and keep their dwindling title hopes just about alive.
When asked how he would celebrate, Werner, 24, told reporters "there will definitely be some sweets involved".
Julian Nagelsmann's side sit seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich ahead of the reigning champions' top-of-the-table clash against second-placed Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Leipzig bounced back from their draw with Freiburg last weekend in their first match since the coronavirus lockdown in style, with Werner moving to within three goals of Bayern's Robert Lewandowski at the top of the league scoring charts.
Werner, who has been linked with several of Europe's biggest clubs, has scored 24 Bundesliga goals this season including two trebles.
Lewandowski scored his 27th league goal this term in Bayern's 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Leipzig's victory was the 10th win for a ...

Sweet-toothed Werner bags hat-trick as Leipzig trounce Mainz

La Liga president Javier Tebas has said he hopes the resumed season will start on June 11 with the Seville derby, "one game for all of Spain".
"It is possible that on Thursday, June 11, we could have the first Liga game," Tebas told Movistar Plus television.
"We would like it to be the Seville derby -- Real Betis v Sevilla -- at 2200 (2000 GMT).
"It would be our hope to have a single league game" that day so that the teams "play exclusively for all of Spain, almost as a tribute and to what has happened."
Tebas confirmed that in the next few days there will be an official announcement concerning the restart date of the championship which was shelved in March because of the coronavirus.
"But what is certain is that it will be the weekend of the 12th."
On Saturday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that La Liga could resume from its lockdown in the week beginning June 8.
All matches will be behind closed doors.
"The resumption of major professional sporting competitions and .

Liga boss wants June 11 Seville derby to restart season

One of India's greatest hockey players, Balbir Singh Sr, died at a hospital here on Monday after battling multiple health issues for over two weeks.
The legend was 96 and is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir.
"He died at around 6:30 this morning," Abhijit Singh, Director Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he was admitted since May 8, told PTI.
His maternal grandson Kabir later sent out a message stating, "Nanaji passed away this morning."
The three-time Olympic gold medallist was in a semi-comatose state since May 18 and had developed a blood clot in his brain after being first admitted to the hospital for bronchial pneumonia with high fever.
He was hospitalised after experiencing high fever and suffered three cardiac arrests during the course of his treatment.
One of the country's most accomplished athletes, the iconic centre-forward was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic ...

End of an era: Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr dies

Three-time Olympic gold medal-winning hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr died here on Monday after battling multiple health issues for over two weeks.
The iconic player was 95 and is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, Gurbir.
"He died at around 6:30 this morning," Abhijit Singh, Director Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he was admitted on May 8, told PTI.
Balbir Sr was in a semi-comatose state since May 18 and had developed a blood clot in his brain after being first admitted to the hospital for bronchial pneumonia with high fever.
One of the country's greatest athletes, Balbir Sr was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history.
His world record for most goals scored by an individual in the men's hockey final of the Olympics still remains unbeaten.

Hockey icon Balbir Singh Sr dies

Australia's limited overs captain Aaron Finch feels compromises will have to be made for the cricketing world to get back on its feet in the post COVID-19 world, indicating that bilateral series could gain more precedence.
The health crisis has thrown international cricketing calendar haywire, making rescheduling of various bilateral series a major challenge.
"It will get to a point, not just for IPL but for all cricket, there'll be a compromise from a lot of different stakeholders - organisations, countries, players, the ICC - to get cricket back and countries thriving again," Finch was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The ICC Board Meeting on Friday could set the tone for coming months, feels Finch.
"I think the ICC are meeting next week to start discussing the FTP (Future Tours Program) again. The next couple of weeks we'll have more idea what that looks like, what compromises will be made for different tournaments and countries.
"Everyone working together to get the best result for ..

Compromises from all stakeholders will be needed for cricket to thrive post COVID-19: Finch

Georgian tennis star Nikoloz Basilashvili, ranked 27th in the world, was charged on Sunday with physically assaulting his ex-wife, prosecutors said.
A court in the Georgian capital Tbilisi charged Basilashvili with perpetrating "violence against a family member committed in the presence of a minor" before releasing him on bail amounting to $30,000 (27,500 euros), prosecutor Natia Guruli said.
He faces up to three years behind bars if found guilty.  Basilashvili's ex-wife Neka Dorokashvili told the Mtavari TV station on Sunday that he "physically assaulted" her Friday in the presence of their five-year-old son.
Basilashvili denied the charges, his lawyer Irma Chkadua told journalists.
The 28-year-old won his second ATP title at the China Open in 2018 by defeating world number four Juan Martin del Potro in the final, three months after winning the German Open in Hamburg.
He went on to defend the Hamburg title last year.
In May 2019, Basilashvili reached a career high of 16 in the world.

Georgian tennis star Basilashvili charged with assaulting ex-wife

Leipzig seemed to enjoy playing in an empty stadium with no protesters as it routed host Mainz 5-0 to move third in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Germany forward Timo Werner scored a hat trick.
Leipzig has got used to protests from rival fans due to its financial backing from energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull. Players have been regularly whistled at away grounds, and Union Berlin supporters even held a funeral march for soccer before their team's game in Leipzig earlier this season.
But supporters have been banned from Bundesliga games for the rest of the season in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic. The league resumed amid strict hygiene measures last weekend.
Werner opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and there were more goals from Yussuf Poulsen and Marcel Sabitzer before the break. Werner grabbed two more in the second half.
Leipzig took advantage of Borussia Mnchengladbach's 3-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday as it stayed three points behind second-place ...

No fans and no protesters as Leipzig beats Mainz 5-0

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is set to get an important posting at the Pakistan Cricket Board's High Performance Centre in Lahore.
According to a reliable source in the PCB, Saqlain has agreed to take over as the high performance coach for international players.
"Saqlain is set to join the high Performance Centre soon as the PCB has now started the process of revamping the centre in Lahore with the appointment of Nadeem Khan as the Director of High Performance," the source said.
Saqlain, who has previous experience of having been with the England, West Indies and New Zealand teams as spin bowling coach/consultant, had also applied for the position of the Pakistan junior and A team head coach last year but didn't get the job which eventually went to former Test batsman Ejaz Ahmed.
"But recently when the PCB invited applications for different coaching positions Saqlain had applied for the high performance position and has got the job, the source said.
He said another ...

Saqlain set be appointed PCB high performance coach for international players

Sachin Tendulkar in numerous interactions with him has spoken more about mental aspects of batting rather than technical ones, said young opener Prithvi Shaw.
"I was eight years old when I met Sachin Sir and since that time, he is my mentor and I have learnt a lot of things from him (ranging) from on the field what you have to do (to) off the field, discipline, and everything," Shaw said during an insta live chat with his employers 'Indian Oil'.
Shaw feels privileged that Tendulkar even now from his busy schedule takes time out to watch him practice.
"Now also whenever I go for practice, if Sachin Sir is there to watch me, he will talk, not much technically but mentally more so it's been a great journey for me under the guidance of Sachin Sir and lot of coaches," added Shaw, who made a hundred on his Test debut versus West Indies at Rajkot.
After a blistering debut, Shaw went into exile for a while, first with an injury during the team's tour to Australia and later due to the doping ..

Sachin Sir speaks about mental aspects than technical ones: Shaw

Kim Clijsters is looking forward to returning to the US Open even though the coronavirus pandemic means that since her second comeback from retirement she has spent more time with her family.
"I'm still motivated," the four-time Grand Slam winner told a Belgium newspaper on Sunday.
"I hope we can still play this season. But even if we don't, I intend to keep going," the Belgian tennis star, who turns 37 in June, told Het Laatse Nieuws (HLN).
Clijsters had spells at number one before and after her first retirement, from 2007-2009. She had her daughter in 2008. She won the US Open before that break and the Australian Open and two more US titles when she came back. She retired for a second time after the US Open in 2012. She has since had two sons.
"I always felt I was fulfilled," Clijsters said in an earlier interview with the Tennis Hall of Fame. "After I had our third baby, Blake, I started travelling to tournaments. I did commentary.
"But I still felt more like a player. A little ...

Clijsters determined to press on with comeback

The authorities must not postpone the T20 World Cup in haste since the showpiece event is the best product to highlight cricket once activities resume, Pakistan head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq has said.
Misbah said though logistics is a huge challenge due to the prevailing circumstances, the authorities must deliberate enough before arriving at a decision.
"The logistics of hosting 16 teams is not easy but the authorities should give it time and wait for a month or more before taking any decision," Misbah said in an interview to Youtube channel, Cricket Baaz.
"Everyone wants to see the T20 World Cup. It would be the best product to highlight cricket once activities resume internationally," he said.
Misbah also said that their upcoming tour to England will not be easy for either the players, coaches or anyone as circumstances are not ideal for cricket.
"But there is a feeling of depression right now all over the world because of this Covid-19 problem and with sports ...

T20 World Cup should not be postponed in haste: Misbah

Heiko Herrlich enjoyed a perfect first Bundesliga game on the touchline as Augsburg coach on Sunday as his side cruised to a 3-0 win at Schalke, a week after he missed their loss to Wolfsburg after breaking quarantine rules to buy toothpaste.
David Wagner's Schalke continued their slide down the table, falling to eighth after another poor defensive display.
Eduard Loewen, Noah Sarenren Bazee and Sergio Cordova scored as Augsburg moved seven points clear of the relegation play-off place.
This was the ninth away win in the 16 Bundesliga matches since the league resumed behind closed doors last weekend after the coronavirus lockdown.
The 48-year-old Herrlich apologised to his squad after breaking a week-long quarantine by leaving the team hotel -- to buy toothpaste and skin cream -- before the Wolfsburg match last weekend.
With Herrlich back in charge, Augsburg enjoyed their first win in seven league games.
Having been as high as third last December, Schalke are now winless in their last 

Herrlich makes belated touchline debut as Augsburg thump Schalke

Former English Football Association chief executive Mark Palios has warned the cost of the coronavirus to lower-league clubs could be even larger than the 200 million pounds ($244 million, 223 million euros) forecast by officials.
Rick Parry, the chairman of the English Football League, which governs the three divisions below the Premier League, estimated the cost of lockdown earlier this month.
But Palios, the chairman of third-tier Tranmere, believes the financial damage could be worse.
"Whilst you may look at the 'hole' which has been articulated as ?200 million to September -- I think it's bigger than that," Palios told Sky News.
"There is a real financial maelstrom coming towards the league at this point in time.
"I personally believe we haven't seen the worst of it yet, and during the course of the summer you'll see a lot more financial stress on the clubs as we move onwards and continue to pay wages.
"I think what you'll see is a lot of clubs will stumble down the road to ...

Former FA chief exec warns EFL clubs face virus 'insolvency'

Borussia Dortmund is waiting on the fitness of defensive chief Mats Hummels for Tuesday's Bundesliga top-of-the-table showdown at home to leaders Bayern Munich.
The 2014 World Cup winner aggravated his Achilles tendon in Saturday's 2-0 win at Wolfsburg which kept second-placed Dortmund four points behind leaders Bayern, who are chasing an eighth straight league title.
Hummels came off at half-time on Saturday, but Dortmund still hope he can lead the hosts' defence against his former club Bayern.
"Mats has a problem with his Achilles tendon and we hope he can play on Tuesday," said Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc.
"He has had the problem for a while."
Hummels was treated at Dortmund's training ground on Sunday and if he is not fit, Emre Can, who replaced Hummels in Wolfsburg, will deputise against Bayern.
In the Munich squad, there are question marks over midfielder Thiago Alcantara and defender Jerome Boateng.
Alcantara sat out Saturday's 5-2 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in .

Dortmund waiting on defender Hummels for Bayern clash

Tax exemption for future global cricket events in India has once again become a bone of contention between the BCCI and ICC as the former gears up to host the 2021 T20 World Cup and 50-over showpiece event in 2023.
The ICC and BCCI have had a long standing feud on tax exemptions since the 2016 World T20 in India.
An ICC spokesperson said that both parties are trying to reach an amicable solution.
"The ICC and BCCI have been working in partnership to address the issue of tax exemptions for ICC events that is a requirement of the host agreement signed by all parties at the beginning of the cycle in 2015 and this work is ongoing," the spokesperson tod PTI.
"There are certain timelines within the agreements that we collectively work towards to ensure we can deliver successful world class events and continue to invest in the sport of cricket.
"In addition to this the ICC Board agreed clear timelines for the resolution of the tax issues which we are guided by," the spokesperson added.
While 

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