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World Cup success a lift for troubled Egypt

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:45:58 +0300

By Mark Gleeson MAPUTO (Reuters) - The impressive run of Egypt in World Cup qualifying over the last fortnight has much more significance for the country than just moving the tournament dream a step closer, coach Bob Bradley told Reuters. "At a time when the country is looking for things that are good, this is very important," he said of Egypt's seamless progress to the last phase of African qualifiers for next year's tournament in Brazil. ...

Abu Dhabi to tune up for Volvo Ocean Race with UK events

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:23:04 +0300

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) will return to top-level competition in the UK this August with a fortnight of training and competitive sailing, culminating in the defence of its Rolex Fastnet Race title.

Altidore winner keeps U.S. on course for Brazil

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:34:15 +0300

(Reuters) - The United States maintained their push for a 2014 World Cup berth with a third straight victory in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying after Jozy Altidore's late strike saw off a stubborn Honduras 1-0 in Utah on Tuesday. Altidore's 73rd minute goal was the difference between the teams at Rio Tinto Stadium as the home side were rewarded for their domination to complete a trio of June fixtures with a 100 percent record after wins over Jamaica and Panama. The U.S. ...

NBA - Heat rally from brink to set up Game Seven decider

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:08:14 +0300

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - The Miami Heat forced an already absorbing NBA Finals to a deciding Game Seven after a thrilling 103-100 overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday tied the series at 3-3. Miami trailed by 13 points in the third quarter but LeBron James, ditching his trademark headband, turned on the afterburners to spark a Heat fightback. San Antonio were not about to roll over under the weight of the onslaught, however, rallying to eke out a five-point lead with 28.2 seconds remaining as the championship ribbons were being prepared for them courtside. ...

Kirsten leaves South Africa no wiser about 'choke' habit

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:29:33 +0300

By Mark Meadows LONDON (Reuters) - Choke is a word which has haunted South African cricket for three decades but rather than shy away from it, departing coach Gary Kirsten has embraced the term in a bid to end their semi-final hoodoo. Wednesday's heavy Champions Trophy semi-final defeat by England at The Oval, where the Proteas could only score 175 all out in a seven-wicket defeat, was an eighth last-four loss out of nine played in major tournaments. ...

Forlan eyes 100th Uruguay cap in key game against Nigeria

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:31:38 +0300

SALVADOR, Brazil (Reuters) - Diego Forlan is poised to win his 100th cap as Uruguay, with their backs to the wall after losing their Confederations Cup opener to Spain, face Nigeria on Thursday. "We absolutely must win to have the chance of going further in the Cup," Forlan told reporters before the match against the African champions, who crushed tiny Tahiti 6-1 on Monday. "They won the match they had to win, scored lots of goals and even a draw will be better for them than us," said the 34-year-old striker, best player at the 2010 World Cup. ...

Sa Pinto quits as Red Star coach

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:30:01 +0300

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Ricardo Sa Pinto stepped down as Red Star Belgrade coach on Wednesday after just three months in charge as the debt-ridden 1991 European Cup winners failed to make any signings. "This is a sad day for me because I have decided to leave the club and this not what I wanted when I took over at Red Star," the former Portugal forward told reporters at Red Star's Marakana stadium. "I came here to win trophies but that it is an impossible task in the present circumstances. ...

England ease into final as South Africa choke again

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:26:27 +0300

By Mark Meadows LONDON (Reuters) - Hosts England sauntered into the Champions Trophy final after South Africa 'choked' in yet another semi-final when they were bowled out for 175 in fairly benign conditions at The Oval on Wednesday. South Africa were favourites heading into the tournament but limped through the group stage and have now bowed out in eight major international last-four clashes and won only one. ...

UAE set for China camp ahead of Asian Cup qualifiers

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:12:36 +0300

The UAE will play Malaysia and the Philippines as they prepare for their Asian Cup qualifiers against Hong Kong and Vietnam this October and November.

Protests continue in Sao Paulo, troops sent to 5 Brazilian cities

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:05:05 +0300

By Asher Levine SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Demonstrators blocked a major highway and other roads in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, crippling transportation in Brazil's largest city and financial hub, in an ongoing wave of protests against poor public services, inflation and police violence. The protests, the biggest in Brazil in over two decades, followed overnight demonstrations that led to sporadic looting and vandalism. ...

England beat South Africa by seven wickets - Champions Trophy

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:04:51 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - England beat South Africa by seven wickets in their Champions Trophy semi-final at The Oval on Wednesday. Scores: South Africa 175 all out (D. Miller 56 not out; J.Tredwell 3-19) England 179-3 from 37.3 overs (J.Trott 82 not out) (Editing by Mark Meadows)

Russia's Kuznetsova pulls out of Wimbledon

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:00:02 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - Twice grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova pulled out of Wimbledon on Wednesday with an abdominal strain. Officials said Czech Klara Zakopalova had been installed as 32nd seed following the Russian's withdrawal with the original seeds between 32 and 27 being moved up one place. Kuznetsova, who was seeded 26th for the grasscourt major which begins on Monday, was the only player to take a set off eventual champion Serena Williams at this month's French Open. ...

Neymar a little on the light side, Barca doctor says

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:54:48 +0300

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is on the light side and might need to bulk up a bit for Spanish football, his new club Barcelona said on Wednesday. The gazelle-like 21-year-old, who is 1.74 metres tall and weighs 64.5 kilograms, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish champions, who paid 57 million euros (48.7 million pounds) for his services. After competing for Brazil on home soil at the Confederations Cup, he is likely to make his Barca debut in a friendly in Gdansk, Poland, next month. ...

World Cup legacy for Brazil goes beyond soccer, says Blatter

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:44:59 +0300

By Andrew Downie RECIFE, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil will benefit with more than just new soccer stadiums from hosting the 2014 World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said as unrest in the country continued to overshadow the Confederations Cup. "In football, the whole country gets the legacy," Blatter said in an interview with Rio's O Globo newspaper. "Football involves the whole country. The country improves airports, hotels, highways, telecommunications, sustainability programs. ...

Brazilians block stadium ahead of Mexico match

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:31:37 +0300

More than 500 people blocked access to a stadium where Brazil was to play Mexico on Wednesday to demand government spend more on health and education and less on the World Cup.

Forgotten man Bastl revelling in 'new career'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:02:09 +0300

By Justin Palmer LONDON (Reuters) - Scraping around the fringes of professional tennis, at tournaments in unglamorous locations, without umpires and ball boys and against players not old enough to remember his golden moment, George Bastl is determined for one last hurrah. At 38, the tennis journeyman who beat seven-times Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in the second round in 2002 - still one of the greatest shocks of all time in grand slams - is not yet ready to bow out. ...

Juventus sign Ghana midfielder Asamoah from Udinese

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:56:40 +0300

By Terry Daley ROME (Reuters) - Juventus have bought Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah outright on a four-year deal after ending their co-ownership deal with Udinese for the midfielder, the Serie A club said on Wednesday. Juve will pay Udinese a total of nine million euros (7.69 million pounds) over the next three financial years for the 24-year-old. "Juventus Football Club announces that it has terminated the current co-ownership agreement with Udinese Calcio concerning the registration rights of Kwadwo Asamoah," the club announced on their official website (www.juventus.com). ...

Andy Schleck to lead RadioShack-Leopard on the Tour

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:08:15 +0300

PARIS (Reuters) - Luxembourg's former champion Andy Schleck will lead RadioShack-Leopard on the Tour de France even though he has been struggling with his form for a year, the team said on Wednesday. Since he broke his pelvis in June 2012, Schleck has failed to finish most of the stage races he has entered, although he has shown improvement lately as he finished 40th overall in the Tour of Switzerland last Sunday. "Nobody in the team ever had doubts about the talent of Andy," team manager Luca Guercilena said in a statement. "Little by little he has come back to the level where we expect him. ...

Nadal seeded a dangerous fifth for Wimbledon

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:00:01 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal could face world number one Novak Djokovic, defending champion Roger Federer or home favourite Andy Murray as early as the Wimbledon quarter-finals after he was seeded fifth for the grasscourt major on Wednesday. Friday's draw for the tournament, which begins at the All England Club on Monday, could now produce a nightmare scenario for top three seeds Djokovic, Murray and Federer if any of them end up being in the same quarter as 2008 and 2010 winner Nadal. ...

West Ham sign Carroll on six year deal in club record fee

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:59:26 +0300

(Reuters) - England international striker Andy Carroll has completed a permanent switch from Liverpool to West Ham on a six-year deal and for a club record fee, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday. No financial details were given but media reports have suggested the deal, which includes an option for a further two years in the club's favour, is worth a reported 15.5 million pounds ($24.19 million) plus extras. Carroll, the club's top scorer in 2012-13, underwent a stringent medical at the East London club after injuries limited him to 24 games last season. ...

Murofushi ban due to "overzealous" Japan officials - CAS

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:36:22 +0300

REUTERS - London Olympics hammer throw medallist Koji Murofushi was the victim of an "overzealous" Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) who were to blame for him being banned from election to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) athletes' commission, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Wednesday. Murofushi's own reputation was not tarnished by the ban, the CAS said in an explanation of its decision to reject the athlete's appeal against the ban. ...

List of men's seeds at Wimbledon

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:31:41 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - List of men's seeds for the Wimbledon tennis championships which begin on Monday: 1. Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 2. Andy Murray (Britain) 3. Roger Federer (Switzerland) 4. David Ferrer (Spain) 5. Rafael Nadal (Spain) 6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 7. Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 8. Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) 9. Richard Gasquet (France) 10. Marin Cilic (Croatia) 11. Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 12. Kei Nishikori (Japan) 13. Tommy Haas (Germany) 14. Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) 15. Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 16. Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 17. Milos Raonic (Canada) 18. ...

List of women's seeds at Wimbledon

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:26:18 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - List of women's seeds for the Wimbledon tennis championships which begin on Monday: 1. Serena Williams (U.S.) 2. Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 3. Maria Sharapova (Russia) 4. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 5. Sara Errani (Italy) 6. Li Na (China) 7. Angelique Kerber (Germany) 8. Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 9. Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 10. Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 11. Roberta Vinci (Italy) 12. Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 13. Nadia Petrova (Russia) 14. Samantha Stosur (Australia) 15. Marion Bartoli (France) 16. Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 17. Sloane Stephens (U.S.) 18. ...

Contador has solid support but no Dane in Saxo Tour team

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:56:39 +0300

PARIS (Reuters) - Alberto Contador will be supported by Michael Rogers, Roman Kreuziger and Nicolas Roche as he bids for a third Tour de France title in a Team Saxo-Tinkoff squad without a Danish rider, the team said on Wednesday. "On a personal level it has been a tough decision for me to not have a Danish rider in the lineup," team owner Bjarne Riis of Denmark said in a team statement. "But we have committed ourselves to go with the group we believe has the best composition to achieve our overall goal. ...

Manchester United to face Swansea in season-opener

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:22:30 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - Champions Manchester United will travel to Swansea City for their first Premier League match under new manager David Moyes while Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City are at home to Newcastle United on August 17. Premier League fixtures published on Wednesday also threw up a home game against newly-promoted Hull City for Jose Mourinho on his second coming as Chelsea manager. Roberto Martinez, the other big appointment since the end of last season when England's three top teams all changed their managers, will lead Everton to Norwich City. ...

South Africa give De Villiers deadline to prove fitness

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:49:26 +0300

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South Africa captain Jean de Villiers must prove his fitness by Friday or he will be replaced by 20-year-old sensation Jan Serfontein for Saturday's test against Samoa at Loftus Versfeld, coach Heyneke Meyer said on Wednesday. De Villiers sustained a rib injury in last weekend's win over Scotland in Nelspruit and has not trained this week. He was included in the side for the last match of the four-team tournament South Africa have hosted over the last three weeks on condition he can prove his fitness. ...

Barca tasked with convincing sought-after Thiago to stay

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:19:53 +0300

By Iain Rogers MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona face a delicate balancing act to convince sought-after Spain Under-21 playmaker Thiago Alcantara that his long-term future lies with the club and he can play a leading role with the La Liga champions next season. The 22-year-old Barca academy graduate, whose contract runs until June 2015, is being groomed as the successor to Xavi in central midfield but is said to be frustrated at a lack of playing time and has attracted the attention of some of Europe's wealthiest clubs. Valued at 22 million euros on website transfermarkt. ...

Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:13:19 +0300

LONDON (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal could face world number one Novak Djokovic, defending champion Roger Federer or home favourite Andy Murray as early as the Wimbledon quarter-finals after being announced as fifth seed for the tournament on Wednesday. Djokovic was named number one, with Murray second and Federer third in seedings that followed the world rankings. Spaniard Nadal, twice a winner at the All England Club and a 12-times grand slam champion, is working his way back up after a seven-month layoff due to a knee injury. ...

Brawn needs brains to avoid tyre trouble

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:12:23 +0300

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Mercedes principal Ross Brawn, a past master at finding Formula One loopholes, may need to pull another rabbit from his magician's hat on Thursday if his team are to escape potentially heavy sanctions. The burly Englishman will explain to an International Tribunal hearing in Paris why the team of 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton and Germany's Nico Rosberg should escape punishment for apparently breaking strict rules on testing. ...

IAAF denies prior knowledge of Italian Schwazer's doping

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:53:48 +0300

By Karolos Grohmann REUTERS - The world athletics body (IAAF) on Wednesday denied that it had any prior knowledge or evidence of Italian 2008 Olympic race walk champion Alex Schwazer's doping practices before he was caught with a positive test last year. Schwazer, who was one of Italy's big medal hopes, was excluded from last year's London Olympics after testing positive for the banned blood-boosting substance EPO days before the start of the Games. He was banned for three-and-a-half years by Italian authorities earlier this year. ...

Colo-Colo star Munoz unsure over Bani Yas switch

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:34:33 +0300

Colo-Colo striker Carlos Munoz has hinted he may turn his back on a move to Bani Yas as it might harm his international chances.

Why Marchisio should no longer be a first-choice player for Italy or Juventus

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:10:02 +0300

The 27-year-old does not warrant inclusion in a midfield three for either club or country, and is clearly incapable of operating in a more advanced position

Brazil beefs up policing for Confederations Cup

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:03:28 +0300

Brazil will deploy a special police force to help provide security for the Confederations Cup tournament following mass protests against government spending, the state news agency said Wednesday.

Nigeria-Uruguay Preview: Super Eagles look to land knockout blow

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:45:01 +0300

Stephen Keshi's men were underwhelming in their 6-1 victory over part-time Tahiti and will face a sterner test against the South Americans, who are in desperate need of points

Unrest as Iran, S.Korea, Australia reach World Cup

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:38:33 +0300

Asian giants Iran, South Korea and Australia scrambled into next year's World Cup on Tuesday after scenes of crowd anger and high tension on the final night of group qualifying.

Lions winger North cleared for first test

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:07:51 +0300

(Reuters) - Hulking Welsh winger George North has been declared fit for the British and Irish Lions' first test against Australia, providing a welcome boost for the tourists after Tuesday's shock loss to the ACT Brumbies. North, who was nursing a hamstring strain, passed a fitness test on Wednesday to make himself available for the first test at the Suncorp Stadium. "I've never seen him in better shape and he's available for selection, which is a huge fillip for us," Lions assistant coach Rob Howley told reporters in Brisbane. ...

Tension, anger as Asian giants reach World Cup

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:47:19 +0300

Asian giants Iran, South Korea and Australia scrambled into next year's World Cup after scenes of crowd anger and high tension on the final night of group qualifying.

Korea coach Choi exits, Hong in the running

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:27:16 +0300

SEOUL (Reuters) - Hong Myung-bo, who coached South Korea's Olympic side to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games, is one of the "strongest candidates" to replace Choi Kang-hee as national team coach, the Korean FA said on Wednesday. South Korea reached an eighth consecutive World Cup finals by finishing runners-up in Group A of Asian qualifying on Tuesday but only secured their place on goal difference after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Iran. ...

Al Ahli play down talk of move for Al Ain boss

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:14:57 +0300

Al Ahli have distanced themselves from a sensational move for Al Ain boss Cosmin Olaroiu.