Page 1358 - Sports
Maradona takes charge of Belarusian club Dynamo Brest
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona arrived here to begin his new job as chairman and sporting director of Dynamo Brest.
Putin leaves World Cup ball in Trump's half
Russia's President Vladimir Putin tried to lighten the mood at a post-summit news conference with American leader Donald Trump today by tossing him a World Cup football. Trump had congratulated his opposite number on Russia's successful hosting of the competition, which came to a climax on Sunday a day before the Helsinki summit. Facing a barrage of questions about the war in Syrian and Russia's alleged role in Trump's 2016 election victory, both men broke into brief smiles as the Kremlin chief handed over the souvenir. "Speaking about having the ball in our court in Syria," Putin said, in an awkward change of subject. "President Trump has just mentioned that we've successfully concluded the football World Cup. "Speaking of football, actually, Mr President, I will give the ball to you and now the ball is in your court. All the more as the United States will host the World Cup in 2026." Trump cheerfully returned the compliment, saying he hoped the United States would host an equally ...
France's World Cup champions arrive in Paris
France's 2018 FIFA World Cup champions arrived in Paris on Monday with their golden trophy in hand, after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow.
Putin presents Trump with FIFA World Cup's official ball
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday presented his US counterpart Donald Trump with an official ball of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and wished the American leader a successful organisation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Crowds pack Champs Elysees as French World Cup winners return home
The World Cup-winning French team returned home to a heroes' welcome today as hundreds of thousands packed the Champs Elysees for their victory parade ahead of a presidential reception in the evening. France overcame a determined Croatia team to win 4-2 in Sunday's final, with teenager Kylian Mbappe applying the coup de grace and cementing his place as a new global superstar at the age of just 19. Millions of fans in France celebrated into the night, honking car horns and flying the tricolour flag while the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were lit up in the national colours of blue, white and red. Crowds began converging early Monday on the Champs Elysees, the gathering point for all national celebrations, for a parade by the team atop an electric bus expected to start in the early evening. "We're so proud of this team, they have truly become our players," said Priscilla Lagneaux, 28, who was waiting with friends under a wilting sun on the avenue. "We had to see them, and also ...
Cook ton powers England Lions against India A
The seasoned Alastair Cook warmed up for next month's Test series against India with an unbeaten century as England Lions made a solid start against India A on the first day of the only four-day unofficial Test here. Opting to bat, England Lions reached 290 for two in 84 overs at the County Ground. The former England captain, who is part of a strong Lions XI featuring six Test players, reached his hundred from 173 balls. Cook was unbeaten on 145 off 229 balls, having found the fence 21 times. Leading the side, opener Rory Burns (5) was dismissed early, allowing fellow England hopeful Nick Gubbins to join Cook at the crease in the fourth over. The duo of Cook and Gubbins put on 155 runs for the second wicket before the younger player fell to Ankit Rajpoot for 73 in the afternoon session. Gubbins hit seven fours and a six while facing 155 balls. Cook was then involved in a century partnership with another current Test player, Dawid Malan, who was batting on 48 off 112 balls. The ...
Indian hockey teams placed in easier pools at Asiad
Indian hockey teams have been placed in comparatively easier pools in the upcoming Asian Games, with the men set to face minnows Hong Kong, while the women will begin their campaign against hosts Indonesia, it was revealed on Monday.
Alaves sign forward Baston on loan from Swansea
La Liga club Alaves announced on Monday the signing of Spanish forward Borja Baston on a one-year loan contract from Swansea City, who were relegated from the English Premier League last football season.
Indian pugilists take Serbia by storm
Indian youth pugilists took Serbia by storm when they struck 17 medals, including seven gold and six silver, the best haul in recent times at the 36th Golden Glove of Vojvodina here.
French World Cup victors to get Legion of Honour
France's victorious World Cup players will all be awarded the Legion of Honour, the office of President Emmanuel Macron said today ahead of their visit to the Elysee Palace. No date has yet been set for the ceremony to hand over France's highest award for "exceptional service" to the nation, which follows the team's 4-2 win over Croatia in Russia on Sunday. It was France's second World Cup title, 20 years after the team led by captain Didier Deschamps won its first title, which also earned them a Legion of Honour from then-president Jacques Chirac. As a result Deschamps, now the coach of "Les Bleus", will in theory be promoted from a Legion Knight to a higher grade such as Officer. The team was en route from Moscow to Paris for a celebratory parade down the Champs Elysees avenue before meeting with Macron and his wife Brigitte at the presidential palace. Macron had already celebrated with the team on Sunday after attending the final in Moscow, to project a more modern image as a ...
Croatians give heroes' welcome to World Cup squad
Tens of thousands of Croatians gave a heroes' welcome to their team in Zagreb today after the squad returned from Russia following their World Cup final defeat. A crowd estimated at more than 100,000 thronged the capital's main square to see the players, led by captain and World Cup Golden Ball winner Luka Modric, parade through the streets on an open-top bus. Cheering fans, many waving flags and wearing the famous red and white shirt of Croatia, held up banners celebrating the runners-up after their gallant 4-2 defeat by France. "This is how Croatia is loved," read one banner. Another said: "We are few, but we believed and that is enough". Many even skipped work to celebrate the team reaching their first ever World Cup final. "I closed my office to welcome our heroes. I put a sign up reading 'Today, July 16, 2018', office closed due to our Vatreni ('the Fiery Ones' in Croatian)," doctor Sanja Klajic told AFP. Earlier noisy fans awaited their side's appearance by singing a popular ...
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in second
Pakistan continued their dominance with both bat and ball to win the second of five one-day internationals against Zimbabwe by nine wickets. Opener Fakhar Zaman eased to his second ODI century, finishing with a career best 117 not out, to seal a win that had been set up by Pakistan's seam attack, who bowled Zimbabwe out for 194. Usman Khan took four wickets and Hasan Ali chipped in with 3 for 32 to bowl the hosts out, Pakistan's top order batsmen then capping a commanding performance. Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first on another cold morning in Bulawayo, They were put under immediate pressure by Pakistan's new ball attack, and in particular Khan. He had both openers caught behind in his first spell. Zimbabwe briefly rallied during a 62-run partnership between Masakadza and Tarisai Musakanda. but that was their best stand. After Khan took two wickets with consecutive deliveries in the 44th over, the hosts were 166 for 7 and sinking fast. Moor cobbled together stands with the
Jason Roy suffers finger injury, Billings called in
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings has been called up to the England ODI squad as cover for opener Jason Roy for the third ODI against India here tomorrow. Roy suffered a laceration to his right hand little finger during practice on Monday. He will undergo a fitness test before the game. Batsman James Vince is also in the squad as cover, previously called in to replace Dawid Malan. Smarting from their 86-run loss at the Lord's after winning the first game in Nottingham by eight wickets, India have their task cut out. Victory in London confirmed England's spot as the No.1 ODI side in the ICC Rankings. A win for India at Headlingley will only help close the gap and hand them the bragging rights before the Test series begins on August 1. India had previously won the T20I series 2-1.
We can nullify Kuldeep by denying him early wickets: Woods
Pacer Mark Wood today said that England should work on denying Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav early success if his side are to win the third and series deciding ODI here tomorrow. Yadav has been the main tormentor of England as he has grabbed nine wickets in the two matches so far. He took 6/25 in India's eight-wicket win in the first match while he got 3/68 in the second ODI which his side lost by 86 runs. "It's definitely a plus point for our players to bat well against him (Kuldeep; in the second match). I know he still took wickets but we managed to get some runs against him and put him under a little bit of pressure," Woods said at the pre-match press conference. "I think the main thing is he keeps getting wickets in his first over. So I think that's the key going into this game. If he gets a wicket in early overs his confidence is up. So if we can try to nullify that wicket-taking option that he's got straight away, then hopefully we can shift the momentum against him to us,
Russia to expel football fans trying to illegally enter Europe
Foreign football fans who attempted to enter Europe through Russian territory with FIFA World Cup Fan IDs will be expelled from the country, Russian First Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandr Gorovoy said on Monday.
Thai court indicts 15 in football match-fixing scandal
A Thai court today indicted 15 players, a referee and a linesman for involvement in match-fixing in the domestic football league last year. The announcement follows a lengthy investigation which saw many of the accused arrested and released on bail. The Attorney General's office said in a statement the 15 were charged with "violating sport laws, gambling laws and criminal codes". The penalties could range from one to ten years in jail or up to 600,000 baht ($18,000) in fines. All have denied the charges and a court will convene to gather evidence in September, the statement said. It did not mention the specific clubs. In November the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) said a dozen people had been accused of "receiving money or benefits in order to throw a game" or influencing others to throw a game or manipulate the score. But it said more could be swept up in what the national police chief called a "historic" investigation for the sport. The FAT released the details of the probe .
Ronaldo greets Juve fans, sparks Champions League dreams
Juventus fans gave Cristiano Ronaldo a rousing welcome today as the club prepared to unveil the superstar summer signing they hope will bring the Champions League trophy back to Turin. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Allianz Stadium in Turin from early morning singing "Ronaldo, bring us the Champions (League)" as the European competition's most lethal striker of all time made a brief appearance ahead of his medical Monday. The 33-year-old emerged from the club's medical centre to sign autographs and shake hands amid raucous chants of his name before shooting back inside for further tests. The five-times Ballon d'Or winner will be officially unveiled to the world's media at a press conference scheduled for 6:30 pm (1630 GMT), in which he will sign a four-year deal that will earn him a reported 30 million euros a season. Ronaldo fever hit Turin after the announcement last week of his 100 million-euro ($117 million) transfer from European champions Real Madrid, which Italian media .
France set for heroes' welcome after thrilling World Cup win
The World Cup-winning French team were travelling home today for a victory parade on the Champs Elysees following their triumph in Moscow that sparked wild celebrations nationwide. France overcame a determined Croatia team to win 4-2 in Sunday's final, with teenager Kylian Mbappe applying the coup de grace and cementing his place as a new global superstar at the age of just 19. Millions of fans in France celebrated into the night, honking car horns and flying the tricolour flag while the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were lit up in the national colours of blue, white and red. The Champs Elysees, the gathering point for all national celebrations, was being cleaned up after Sunday night's mass party and will be used for a parade by the team on an electric open-top bus on Monday from around 1500 GMT. Many commentators focused on the outpouring of patriotism and sense of national unity created by the multiracial French team, many of whose stars including Mbappe and Paul Pogba hail .
Paris renames metro stations to honour World Cup stars
Six Paris metro stations were temporarily renamed in honour of France's World Cup winning champions after their 4-2 rollercoaster victory against Croatia. Among the changes, station Victor Hugo became "Victor Hugo Lloris", named after the team's captain and goalkeeper, whose second half mistake gave Croatia faint hopes of a late comeback. The metro stop at Bercy has become "Bercy les Bleus", a play on words to thank the team. The station Avron has taken the name "Nous Avron Gagne", a play on the French to mean "We have won". Charles de Gaulle-Etoile was turned into "On a 2 Etoiles", meaning "We have two stars" -- referring to the country's first World Cup win on home soil in 1998 and last night's victory in Russia. Notre-Dame des Champs has become "Notre Didier Deschamps", while Champs-Elysees- Clemenceau has been changed to "Deschamps Elysees-Clemenceau" -- both stations pay tribute to the team's coach Didier Deschamps, who was also a midfielder in the 1998 side. The changes ...
India A hockey team hold South Korea 2-2
The Indian men's A team rallied twice to hold South Korea to a 2-2 draw in the fifth and final practice hockey match played at the Sports Authority of India today. South Korea began well with an early 3rd minute goal converted by drag-flicker Jang Jonghyun. India 'A' forward Gurjant Singh helped the home team equalise in the 9th minute through a splendid field goal to end the first quarter in a 1-1 stalemate. The visitors continued their good form into the second quarter, creating potential opportunities to score. In the 23rd minute, an infringement by Indian defender saw South Korea win a PC which was converted by Jang Jonghyun to take a 2-1 lead. A structured defence saw South Korea hold on to the lead all through the second and third quarter. However, a PC in the 50th minute saw India 'A' equalise the score-line through drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh's goal.