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Greece seal stunning upset win over France
Curse of penalty shootout strikes England again Figo’s substitution changes Portugal’s destiny
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England fans arrested Dutch, Swedes promise fireworks
Dutch fans rally behind Advocaat Serena, Roddick advance; Coria out
Indian men clinch TT gold Olympians to Vivek’s
rescue Sunil ousts Aqeel, enters finals
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Greece seal stunning upset win over France
Lisbon, June 25 It was the third time in four matches that France had fallen behind but this time there was no way back. Their dream of becoming the first team to retain the Henri Delaunay trophy is over and Greece will now face the Czech Republic or Denmark in the semi-finals. Until the goal, the match lacked the passion, vibrancy and drama of Portugal's penalty shootout win over England in the first quarter-final, with the crowd largely anaesthatised by the lethargic play. France, though, were poorer than Greece throughout. Without the injured Patrick Vieira in midfield, France lacked their driving force with playmaker Zinedine Zidane playing well below his best. Zidane and Lilian Thuram set a new record for European Championship finals appearances by playing their 14th matches each since 1996, beating the record they had held jointly with seven players. But Zidane's most notable contribution was picking up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Greek defender Traianos Dellas a minute before the break. There was not much more of note in the opening 45 minutes in which neither team dominated but Greece had the better chances. They went close to the opening goal after 15 minutes when a Costas Karagounis free kick reached Costas Katsouranis close to goal whose attempted tap-in from close range was blocked by Barthez on the line with the Greeks already raising their arms to celebrate a goal. The French keeper also tipped over a dipping 30-metre shot from defender Takis Fyssas after 37 minutes. The French came close to a goal in the 25th minute when defender Bixente Lizarazu crossed to Thierry Henry but the striker's header sailed just wide of Antonis Nikopolidis's right post. France, who came from behind to beat England and draw with Croatia on their way to winning Group B, just never found their rythym, while Greece had more zest all over the pitch and were content to defend in numbers. Henry wasted another golden opportunity in the dying minutes to leave Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel in ecstacy and still on course to become the first foreign coach to lead a side to victory in this competition. Jacques Santini's reign as French coach, howver, ended in a shock exit few could have predicted. — Reuters
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Curse of penalty shootout strikes England again Lisbon, June 25 It happened against the Germans in the semifinal of World Cup 1990 in Italy and against Germany again in the semifinal of Euro’ 96 at Wembley. England lost another shootout to Argentina in the second round of the 1998 World Cup in France. Now Lisbon 2004 will burn in the memory of the 30,000 England fans who watched in horror at the Stadium of Light. After the two teams had played an end-to-end 2-2 thriller that went to 30 minutes extra time, Portugal and England were forced to settle the match on penalties. Beckham, who had a penalty saved by French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in England’s 2-1 Group B loss in day two of the championship and also missed the target in a qualifying tie with Turkey, couldn’t wait to take the first one. He shot high and wide into the Portuguese fans behind the goal. Thankfully for him, Rui Costa also missed the target. But Portuguese keeper Ricardo Carvalho saved from Darius Vassell and then decided to take the next one himself, easily beating his opposite number David James. Maybe England didn’t know that Ricardo regularly takes penalties for Sporting Lisbon. But the fact is that Beckham and Vassell will join that growing list of England shootout failures that also includes Chris Waddle, Stuart Pearce, David Batty and Gareth Southgate. England has won just once on penalties and that was in the Euro ‘96 quarterfinal against Spain after a 0-0 tie at Wembley. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson defended Beckham for his miss and said the England captain slipped on the tricky surface as he shot. “He might be blaming himself but football is like that, especially when you go to penalty shoot-outs,” the Swede said. “It’s a skill but it is also a lottery and I think he slipped with his foot again, unfortunately.” Eriksson said he had complained about the state of the playing surface near the penalty spot, saying it was sandy and unstable.
— AP |
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Figo’s substitution changes Portugal’s destiny
Lisbon, June 25 Figo frowned furiously as he was made to walk half way around the pitch, going straight for the exit tunnel and ignoring coach Luis Felipe Scolari and his teammates on the bench in what would normally be taken as an unforgivable insult. But, contrary to expectations, Figo left the stadium hours later smiling brightly and walking with a bounce in his step, saluting reporters with a thumbs-up gesture, although refusing to speak. His substitute Helder Postiga had scored an equalizer within minutes of taking to the pitch with a powerful header that put the host nation back in the game. Portugal went on to take the lead with a goal by other substitute Rui Costa, but England came back and tied with a goal from Frank Lampard. Portugal snapped the stalemate in the penalty shootout. Figo’s substitution was a brave move by Scolari. For more than a decade he has been an ‘untouchable’ for the national side, as well as Spanish clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. But Portugal were flagging seriously and showing none of the creative spark it had used to tear Spain apart and qualify for the quarterfinals. And Figo, as commander, was responsible. In his 75 minutes on the pitch, the 31-year-old produced almost none of the penetrating runs from the wings to the area that have become his trademark. His shooting was way off mark too. Ironically, his closest shot came seconds before he was removed when he had a low bullet of a shot shoved away for a corner by England’s keeper David James. “When I see something wrong I take actions to remedy it,” said Scolari. “I’m not worried about what players do after they leave the pitch,” said Scolari. “From what I know he was in the locker room praying and watching the penalties on television.” Scolari said Figo held a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal’s most sacred religious icon, as the shots were being taken. Figo’s absence was noted by all as Portugal won the match and players and substitutes celebrating on the pitch, hugging Scolari and Portuguese legend Eusebio. “I wasn’t aware that he had left the pitch or that he wasn’t there for the celebrations but when we got to the dressing room he was jubilant, and congratulated us all,” said defender Miguel. — AP
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England
fans arrested LONDON: The police arrested several persons in disturbances around the country following England’s loss to Portugal in the quarterfinal of Euro 2004.
Eleven persons were arrested for public order offences and a number of police officers were injured in scuffles outside the Red Lion hotel, which is managed by a group of Portuguese businessmen. Another 17 persons were arrested across the county of Hertfordshire for a variety of offences, including assault, carrying an offensive weapon and criminal damage. In Boston, northern England, seven persons were arrested for public order offences after the police was attacked when it tried to break up a fight between two teenagers.
— AP
Rooney’s injury LISBON: England teenage sensation Wayne Rooney could be out for several weeks after he went off injured in the first half of the Euro 2004 quarterfinal against Portugal, according to England’s coach
Sven-Goran Eriksson. The 18-year-old is believed to have broken the metatarsal bone in his right foot, the same injury England captain David Beckham suffered shortly before the 2002 World Cup finals. Eriksson added it had been a bitter blow when the four-goal hero from the first round had to go off in the 27th minute having struggled on for five minutes following an innocent-looking tackle by Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade.
— AFP
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Dutch, Swedes promise fireworks
Faro, June 25 Van Nistelrooy is thoroughly enjoying making his mark in his first major championship, and the Manchester United striker arrives in the Algarve as joint top scorer and aiming to add to his tally of four goals for the Dutch. “This is definitely the best period I’ve ever had playing for the Netherlands,” the 27-year-old claimed. “I hope it can continue. “For me it’s Sweden who are playing the best football in the whole tournament. Larsson’s their key man with all his experience.” While Van Nistelrooy is in peak form Larsson is hardly rueing coming out of international retirement at the age of 32, the former Celtic great putting two past Bulgaria and a penalty past Denmark. Qualifying gave Dutch coach Dick Advocaat the perfect riposte to his many critics and a chance to renew his rivalry with Larsson, whom he came across regularly in his days managing Celtic’s bitter rivals Glasgow Rangers. “I had four and a half years at Rangers and I know what we’re up against in Larsson, a world-class goal scorer who is still doing his job. Larsson himself felt that part of the reason for Sweden’s success was self-belief among the players and a binding team spirit. That is something not readily associated with the Dutch but the way they united in celebration on the pitch after the crucial 3-0 victory over Latvia suggests they, too, are following the musketeers’ doctrine of all for one and one for all. Then there’s Larsson’s gifted fellow forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to consider, with his logic-defying backheeler against Italy still the talk of the Swedish camp. The 22-year-old, who will be crossing swords with his Ajax teammates Rafael van der
Vaart, John Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder, is in no doubt who will start favourites to reach the semifinal where host nation Portugal await. “The Netherlands have got to be the favourites with the players they have and we are the underdogs. “But everything can happen in football and you can be sure that we are going to be 100 per cent focused and we know that we can beat them if we play at our best level.” Of coming up against his club colleagues, he commented: “We’ve spoken a bit and we have joked about the game. But tomorrow we will put aside our friendship for a couple of hours.” The Dutch had a harder time getting to this stage than the Scandinavians, scraping through as Group D runners-up after being bounced by the Czech Republic 3-2, drawing 1-1 with Germany and trouncing Latvia 3-0. But defender Michael Reiziger predicted: “If we play like we did against Latvia, we’ve got a good chance of going through.” Sweden’s main problem, meanwhile, lies in defence, with Erik Edman missing the game through suspension and Teddy Lucic rated only 50-50 to play because of a rib injury. Swedish skipper Olof Mellberg wants to see his team quicker off the blocks compared to their last two games after they were forced to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Italy and then perform the same feat twice against Denmark.
— AFP |
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Dutch fans rally
behind Advocaat Amsterdam, June 25 Dutch politicians are among those to have expressed support for Advocaat, slammed after a 3-2 defeat by the Czech Republic followed his controversial substitution of winger Arjen Robben. Ministers criticised a call by a television commentator after that game for Advocaat to be stoned and hanged, saying they were afraid viewers might take such comments seriously. “Such abuse goes absolutely too far,” Interior Minister Johan Remkes was quoted as saying. A new website offers fans T-shirts to show their real feelings for the coach: “Our Dick has balls”, “Our Dick never gives up”, “Our Dick will always score”, “Our Dick is 1.69 m tall” are some of the slogans to choose from.
— Reuters |
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Serena, Roddick advance; Coria out
Wimbledon, June 25 Andy Roddick also advanced in straight sets, beating 128th-ranked Alexander Peya of Austria, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-4, but he wasn’t entirely happy with his game. “It was OK, I did enough to win,” the second-seeded American said. “I still don’t feel like I’m playing my best tennis. I have to pick up my game in the next round.” In the biggest upset in the men’s draw so far, French Open runner-up Guillermo Coria, seeded No. 3, was eliminated in the second round 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 by Germany’s Florian Mayer. Coria, an Argentine clay-courter who had never won a match at Wimbledon before this year, had needed four days to compete a rain-delayed first-round match over Wesley Moodie on Thursday. Among those reaching the third round Friday was fifth seeded Tim Henman, who beat Swiss qualifier Ivo Heuberger, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2, to continue his bid to become the first British player to win the men’s title since 1936. In women’s play, fourth-seeded Amelie Mauresmo beat American qualifier Jennifer Hopkins, 6-3, 6-3. Williams, the two-time defending champion, had an uneven performance on Court 1 against a 125th-ranked player who had never won a Wimbledon match until the first round. Williams sailed through the first set in 22 minutes, ripping a backhand down-the-line winner on set point. When Foretz won her first game, holding serve for 1-1 in the second set, she got a big ovation. On Wednesday, a scoring error by British chair umpire Ted Watts contributed to Venus Williams’ 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) loss to Croatia’s Karolina Sprem. French Open champion Anastasia Myskina's Wimbledon challenge was ended in the third round by American Amy Frazier 4-6 6-4 6-4 today. The second seeded Russian, who complained of fatigue after her three-set victory, Yesterday won the first set but then faded on the slick conditions of a scorching court two. Myskina became the first Russian woman to win a grand slam title at Roland Garros earlier this month but her Wimbledon bid was halted in one hour 45 minutes. Paes-Riki advance London: Leander Paes kept himself on course for a semifinal clash with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi after advancing to the second round of the men’s doubles with Czech Republic partner David Rikl at the Wimbledon Grand Slam tennis here on Friday. Paes and Rikl, the eleventh seeds, overcame a stiff challenge from Italians Daniele Bracciali and Georgio Galimberti 7-5 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 to win the first round match. Earlier, third seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus advanced with a smooth 6-3 6-4 win over Hicham Arazi of Morocco and Joshua Eagle of Australia yesterday. The Indians, who won the title themselves in 1999, are drawn in the bottom half of the draw and in for a semifinal show down. Bhupathi and Mirnyi reached the finals last year where they lost to record breaking pair Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden and Todd Woodbridge of Australia. — PTI
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Indian men clinch TT gold New Delhi, June 25 The four-member team led by Achanta Sharath Kamal overcame the challenge posed by championship favourite and nine-time winner England 3-1, according to a note issued by the Table Tennis Federation of India here today. Soumyadeep Roy emerged the main architect of India’s impressive run with two wins while Subhajit Saha won the other match. In the last championship held at New Delhi in 2001, India were the runner-up while in the last Commonwealth Games at Manchester, the country won the bronze medal.
— PTI |
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Olympians to Vivek’s rescue New Delhi, June 24 Hockey veterans Mohd Shaheed, Zafar Iqbal, Harbinder Singh, M.K. Kaushik and Ashok Dewan got together here today to announce that an exhibition match, between former Olympians and the Indian women’s team, who won the Asia Cup Hockey Championship at the National Stadium in New Delhi a few months ago, would be held at the Shivaji Stadium on July 7. Vivek Singh, who played international hockey from 1984 to 1990, before calling it quits after the World Cup in Lahore, has been undergoing treatment for cancer, though his disease was detected only at an advanced stage. Thanks to the initiative and drive of Mohd Shahid, who was Vivek Singh’s captain when he represented the country in several international competitions, the Indian Hockey Federation and the Union Sports Ministry granted Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, for the player’s treatment. But considering the nature of Vivek’s treatment, and the family commitment he has, the former Olympians have pledged to support the 36-year-old player in whichever they can. Zaffar Iqbal, who is employed with the Indian Airlines, said the Indian Airlines Sports Board has written to sportspersons employed by the Airlines to donate
funds for Vivek’s treatment as there are a number of internationals, including hockey Olympians, cricket players, Arjuna Awardees and Padmashri Awardees, under the Airlines’ wings. M.K. Kaushik, who was the coach of the Indian team when Vivek played most of his international hockey, said the centre half was a focussed player, whose behaviour on and off the field, was exemplary. The players expected to participate in the exhibition match are: Olympians: Mohd. Shahid, Merwyn Fernandes, Jagbir Singh, Mukesh Kumar, M.K. Kaushik, Ashok Kumar, Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh, Jalaluddin, M.M. Somayya, Ramandeep Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, R.P. Singh, Romeo James, M.P. Ganesh, Aslam Sher Khan, B.P. Govinda, Joquim Karvalho, Rahul Singh, Harbinder Singh and G. Nandy Singh (coach). R.S. Bhola will be the manager. The women’s hockey team will comprise the full Asia Cup squad. This match will be preceded by an exhibition match between a Bangladesh XI and the Air India Academy. |
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Stage set for Goodwill Golf Shimla, June 25 The tournament in which a 19-member team along with their spouses will arrive here from Lahore is a precursor to the Centenary celebrations of the Naldehra Golf Club. The even is also part of the calendar prepared by the department of Tourism and Civil Aviation to give a boost to tourism and promote Shimla and other parts of the state as favoured destinations. The Pakistani team, which will be arriving here on July, 2 will be received at the Kalka railway station by an army band and school children. The next day the team will visit the Naldehra Golf Course to become familiar with the layout. A practice match will also be played the same day. The Naldehra golf course has been in existence from the early 20th century. It owes its existence to Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India during the British rule, who used to camp here for several days. Being the oldest golf course in the area, it has taken shape on a totally natural topography, which remains unchanged till today. Naldehra is a par 68 course with nine holes. In the repeat nine, there are four additional greens and different tees which increase the yardage in the second round. Designed over a long sloping glade, the course is regarded as one of the most challenging ones in the country. The Tourism Department along with the private hoteliers of the city, who are helping in organizing the event are busy making arrangements for sprucing Naldehra and making stay arrangements for the guests from across the border. The matches will be held on July 4 and 5 and shall be medal rounds with stroke play and full handicap. The tourism authorities are hopeful that the holding of the tournament will give a fillip to tourism in the state. |
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Sunil ousts
Aqeel, enters finals New Delhi, June 25 Sipaeya, who survived a tough quarter-final match against Ashutosh Singh yesterday, prevailed over his opponent in another three-set grueller 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the semis in almost two hours. The Chandigarh southpaw will take on fourth seed Norikazu Sugiyama of Japan in the finals. Sugiyama tamed the strongly built Kamala Kannan 6-1, 7-5 in the other semi-final. Aqeel looked a pale shadow of himself and squandered advantages committing umpteen unforced errors during crucial points. The Pakistani player could not repeat his yesterday’s stunning performance against last-leg champion and second seed Vishal Uppal and displayed a lacklusture show against Sipaeya. Sipaeya won the first set overcoming initial resistance from Aqeel. The Pakistani player picked up his game in the second set and won it but Sipaeya came back strongly in the deciding set to reach the finals.
— UNI |
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