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Portugal’s party continues Rome, June 24 Italy’s footballers made a turbulent return home yesterday barely 24 hours after their elimination from Euro 2004. The Azzurri’s aeroplane stopped twice on its way back from Portugal. Rudi
Voeller quits after debacle |
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Struggling
France wary of Greece
Venus crumbles; Federer saunters through
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Dist tennis meet
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Portugal’s party continues Lisbon, June 24 Captain David Beckham sliced England's first penalty over the bar before Rui Costa missed for Portugal. Portugal keeper Ricardo saved Darius Vassell's kick, England's seventh, and Ricardo himself stepped up to put his team into the semifinals to spark mass celebrations across the nation. Rui Costa, on as a 79th-minute substitute, thought he had clinched victory for Portugal when he put his team 2-1 up in the 110th minute, cutting in to arrow a right-foot shot past England goalkeeper David James from 25 metres. But England found the energy to drag themselves back when Frank Lampard slotted in from close range five minutes later. Portugal, semifinalists at Euro 2000, had trailed for 80 minutes to Michael Owen's third-minute opener for England. But they were handed a lifeline after 83 minutes when Helder Postiga, on for Luis Figo, headed in Simao's cross to take the game into extra time. England, wearing black armbands in memory of a fan who was killed chasing a pickpocket in Lisbon on Tuesday, could not have hoped for a better start as Owen scored his first goal of the tournament. James hit a long upfield clearance and the ball flicked off midfielder Costinha's head straight into the path of Owen, who spun round to hook it past a helpless Ricardo. England did not have to wait long for Portugal's response as the intricate passing of Deco, Figo and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo forced them into a series of last-ditch clearances. England's attacking aspirations took a knock after 27 minutes when Wayne Rooney, the tournaments joint top scorer with four goals, appeared to twist his ankle under pressure from defender Jorge Andrade. The 18-year-old received lengthy treatment on the touchline before hobbling away to be replaced by Darius Vassell. Portugal continued to set the rhythm with Luis Figo pulling the strings in midfield, but he was often guilty of wayward shooting as England weathered the storm. It was not all all one-way traffic, however, and a resurgent Owen drew a superb one-handed save from Ricardo as England threatened on the break. Owen, who had been disappointing so far in the tournament, also lobbed another effort narrowly over the bar. Portugal kept up the pressure after the re-start as England's labouring midfield struggled to cover the green spaces inside the Luz stadium. Ronaldo was gradually running out of tricks in his battle with Ashley Cole and the hosts were looking increasingly desperate when Postiga struck. The striker had only been on the pitch for eight minutes when he powered home his header. There was still time for more drama in the dying seconds of normal time when England defender Sol Campbell's headed goal was ruled out by referee Urs Meier for pushing.
— Reuters
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Turbulent landing for Azzurri
Rome, June 24 While the players who disembarked at Milan’s Malpensa airport were allowed to exit quietly out of a side-door, those arriving at Fiumicino airport in Rome had an altogether different reception. Strikers Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano managed to slip away unnoticed, but their AS Roma team-mate Christian Panucci had to be protected by police as he ran the gauntlet through a crush of several hundred fans. The Lazio trio of striker Bernardo Corradi, defender Massimo Oddo and goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi were given the same treatment. The crowd consisted predominantly of autograph hunters and children accompanied by their parents. Most were disappointed, but not angry at Italy’s early exit from the competition. “(Italy coach Giovanni) Trapattoni messed up his team choices a bit,” said one. “He should have brought different players — no (Christian) Vieri or (Alessandro) Del Piero for a start.” Asked what he thought about the three-match ban handed to playmaker Totti for spitting at Denmark’s Christian Poulsen, he replied: “You can understand it, if he was provoked. Without Totti, though, there is no Italy team.” There were, however, one or two people in the crowd ready to cry shame. “I have four children and earn 1,200 euros a month. Just look at them. It’s disgraceful,” shouted one man. The other bitter note was struck as the first of Italy’s disgruntled supporters returned from following their team abroad. — Reuters
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Rudi Voeller quits after debacle
Almancil (Portugal), June 24 “After long consideration, I have decided to step down,” an emotional Voeller told a press conference here the day after his side were eliminated at the group stage following a 1-2 defeat by a second-string Czech Republic side. “I did not take this decision immediately after the match. But I had thought about stepping down before,” he added. The president of the German football federation, Gerhard Mayer Vorfelder, said: “We regret this decision but we respect it.” Mayer Vorfelder confirmed that former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was in the running to take over. Voeller, had said after the match that he wanted to stay on as coach and see out his contract which ran until the 2006 World Cup, which will be held in Germany. Voeller took over as coach from Erich Ribbeck following a disastrous Euro 2000 when Germany failed to win a match. MADRID: Spain coach Inaki Saez has tendered his resignation just a day after saying he would not quit over his team’s early exit from Euro 2004, the Spanish media reported on Thursday. Saez caved in to intense pressure, several newspapers said, after the media attacked his announcement on Tuesday that he planned to lead Spain’s qualifying campaign for the next World Cup. “Saez throws in the towel,” was the headline in AS sports newspaper.
— Reuters |
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Struggling France wary of Greece
Lisbon, June 24 France are still on track to become the first nation to retain the European title after surviving a tricky first phase along with runners-up England from Group B. The Greeks, though, have reached the last eight of a major tournament for the first time after finishing second to hosts Portugal but ahead of Spain on goal difference in Group A. If France went out now, it would go down like a lead balloon in a country that badly needs to restore its pride after the shock first-round exit in the 2002 World Cup. A semifinal place for Greece, however, would be beyond the wildest dreams of Otto Rehhagel’s team and their supporters. Greece took part in the 1980 European championship and the 1994 World Cup and were twice knocked out in the first round. ‘’We have already won everything we could have dreamed of. We don’t have anything to lose now,’’ said the shrewd Rehhagel. Since Greece beat hosts Portugal 2-1 in the opening match, the German has come up with new ideas to motivate his players and now they are bidding to take the scalp of the champions. That is not a prospect the French are ready to accept. ‘’We came here to win the title,’’ said coach Jacques Santini. ‘’We played three matches and I hope there are three more to go.’’ The odds clearly favour France, who have never lost to Greece in their six previous meetings although Santini gives short shrift to such statistics. The France coach said once again that his players were well and there were no major problems but despite Santini’s confidence, his team’s form is far from that of the side which won the trophy four years ago beating Italy with a golden goal in the final. The current edition have conceded four goals in three matches and have often looked clumsy in front of goal. ‘’I must admit there are things which could be improved in this part of our game,’’ said Santini. ‘’We’re going to work this out. I’m confident. We’re getting better in every game.’’ On the injury front Willy Sagnol’s broken arm has ruled him out of the tournament and his replacement, William Gallas, is nursing a twisted ankle. If he is not fit in time, the French coach will have to reshuffle his backline again. In midfield, Patrick Vieira has strained a thigh muscle and could make way for Benoit Pedretti while striker Louis Saha is almost certain to replace the disappointing David Trezeguet.
— Reuters |
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Venus crumbles; Federer saunters through
London, June 24 Champion in 2000 and 2001 and runner-up to younger sister the last two years, Williams fell apart as shadows crept across Centre Court losing two tie-break sets. "It's not a whole barrel of laughs," she sighed. "But I guess it's not possible to be a winner or a finalist every year." In the men's draw, Roger Federer pulverised Alejandro Falla in just 54 breathtaking minutes to reach the third round at Wimbledon. The Swiss top seed and champion allowed his Colombian opponent just 33 points in the entire match as he underlined his status as the man to beat with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 win. Those considered best equipped to stop him also advanced but were no way near as impressive. Second seed Andy Roddick reached the second round on Centre Court, beating Taiwan's Yeu-Tzuoo Wang 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 and seventh seed and 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt beat Georgia's Irakli Labadze 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the third. Hewitt will next play the man whose title he inherited, Goran Ivanisevic, after the Croatian pulled off a spectacular 4-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory over Italy's Filippo Volandri. Third seed Guillermo Coria needed only 97 seconds to reach the second round as the rain which washed out day three mostly stayed away. The Argentine needed just two points for victory in his match with Wesley Moodie which had been carried over since Monday. He won them both to advance 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in a match which officials believe is the first to span four days. Second seed Anastasia Myskina diced with disaster before finally overcoming Hungarian Aniko Kapros 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. The French Open champion took a while to settle on court two before finding her range. Next door on court three Argentine Gisela Dulko once again cut short 47-year-old Martina Navratilova's remarkable renaissance with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 second-round victory over the nine-times former champion. Dulko beat Navratilova easily in the first round of the French Open last month on the Czech-born American's return to Grand Slam singles action after a 10-year absence, but this time she had to dig deep to avoid a humiliating loss. Fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo thrashed Jelena Kostanic of Croatia 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round. Women's seventh seed Jennifer Capriati also advanced. She brushed aside Claudine Schaul of Luxembourg 6-2, 6-2 for her first win of the tournament. The results Men's singles (first round):
Todd Martin b Guillermo Canas 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 9-7; Greg Rusedski b Davide Sanguinetti 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; Mario Ancic b Luis Horna 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4; Juan Ignacio Chela b Lars Burgsmueller 6-4, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2; Julien Benneteau b Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4; Andy Roddick b Wang Yeu-Tzuoo 6-3, 7-5, 6-4; Stefano Pescosolido b Dennis Van Scheppingen 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 10-8; Andrei Pavel b Andy Ram 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (10-8); Fernando Gonzalez b Martin Vassallo Arguello 6-4, 6-2, 6-4; Karol Beck b Jonathan Marray 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 4-6, 6-3, 10-8; Thomas Enqvist b Galo Blanco 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 7-6 (7-1); Rainer Schuettler b Robin Soderling 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-2; Vincent Spadea b Todd Reid 6-2, 6-4, 6-2; Dominik Hrbaty b David Sanchez 6-2, 6-4, 6-2; Tommy Haas b Antony Dupuis 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, 8-6; Sjeng Schalken b Lee Childs 6-2, 6-1, 6-3; Mark Hilton b Albert Costa 6-1, 6-4, 6-3; Guillermo Coria b Wesley Moodie 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3; Alexander Popp b Nicolas Massu 6-2, 6-4, 6-4; David Ferrer b Victor Hanescu 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5; Tommy Robredo b Potito Starace 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; Taylor Dent b Ramon Delgado 6-2, 6-3 6-4.
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Jugraj, four others
sent back New Delhi, June 24 The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) had sent a 26-member squad for a three-week physical fitness-cum-training camp to Tempe in Arizona in a run-up to the selection of the final 16-member squad for the Athens Olympics. The four others who failed to retain their place in the squad and have returned home are goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh, defender Harpal Singh and forwards Adam Sinclair and Sandeep Michael. IHF President K.P.S. Gill said the remaining 21 members had reached Amsterdam to take part in the four-nation Rabobank Trophy starting there from June 26. Holland, Germany and Pakistan are the other teams taking part in the tournament. Mr Gill said the final squad for the Athens Olympics would be picked after the team returns from Amsterdam.
— UNI |
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Almancil
(Portugal), June 24
