Vienna, June 28
The battle for the Euro 2008 title is encapsulated by the midfield duel between Michael Ballack and Cesc Fabregas, where the German captain's power will be pitted against the Spaniard's artistry in Sunday's final.

If Ballack and his likely fellow enforcers Torsten Frings and Thomas Hitzlsperger can impose themselves and wrench control then it should be the familiar sight of a German triumph at the Ernst Happel stadium.

But if Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta et al can pass their way through and around their sturdy opponents then Spain's 44-year wait for a trophy could finally be over.

Fabregas has been used off the bench for most of Spain's path to the final but such was his impact as a first-half replacement for striker David Villa in Thursday's 3-0 victory over Russia that he has become a likely starter.

Ballack, in contrast, was badly off-beam in Germany's 3-2 win over Turkey but his inner-belief and burning desire to make up for missing the 2002 World Cup final through suspension could well lead to a man-of-the-match performance.

His coach Joachim Loew has been weaned on the same winning mindset. “We've got a victor's mentality and are going to take that into the final,” he said of Germany's quest for a fourth European title to add to their three World Cups.

Spain, appearing in their first final since 1984 and seeking only their second trophy following their 1964 Euro success on home soil, have seen their confidence leap having finally broken their hoodoo of major tournament quarterfinal defeats.

“Germany are Germany and they seem to win against whoever they play,” said Spain coach Luis Aragones. “But it is very difficult for any team against us, especially when we add pace to our game.”

Each side is expected to field only one striker - Fernando Torres for Spain and Miroslav Klose, with two goals in the last two games, for Germany - handing even more responsibility to the midfielders.

Germany's wide pair Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski, with five goals between them, have looked dangerous in that regard, both as providers and finishers.

Spain's engine room has also found extra momentum, particularly on Thursday after the first-half injury to top scorer Villa, who seems certain to miss the final, led to a much more effective five-man midfield.

From the kickoff against Russia, Spain looked more purposeful than in their stilted show against Italy and Fabregas added an extra touch of class to the zippy passing when he joined the fray.

They will fancy their chances of threading their way through a powerful but not particularly mobile German back four.

Klose's aerial threat presents a different challenge at the other end but Spain's defence has gone about its business with a calm authority so far, with centre back Carles Puyol always on hand at the first hint of danger and goalkeeper Iker Casillas a comforting last line.

It is a fascinatingly poised encounter with Spain, the narrowest of bookmakers' favourites, to finally take the step that their talent has for so long promised. — Reuters

Karachi, June 28
Suresh Raina continued his fine Asia Cup form, scoring a second tournament century to ease India to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Super League stage match at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Together with opener Gautam Gambhir (90), the pair put on a third wicket stand of 139 to help India to 284 for three after 43.2 overs in reply to Bangladesh’s 283 for six.

The partnership overshadowed a maiden century from Bangladeshi all-rounder Alok Kapali who stunned the Indians with a powerful 115 to steer Bangladesh to a fighting total.

Mohammad Ashraful, the Bangladesh skipper described Kapali's innings as one of the best he had seen for Bangladesh but rued his side's missed chances.

"We had a good total thanks to Kapali but our fielders didn't support the bowlers. Maybe if we had got Gambhir and Raina early it could have made a difference," he said.

Raina, who notched 101 against Hong Kong and 84 against Pakistan earlier in the tournament, hit 11 fours and three sixes on his way to an undefeated 116 to spoil Kapali's day.

India started shakily as makeshift opener Robin Uthappa was beaten for two by an in-swinger from Shahadat Hossain and Rohit Sharma flicked Hossain straight to Farhad Reza after a quickfire 22 from 23 balls.

Gambhir and Raina, who were both lucky to survive dropped catches earlier in the innings, then set to their task with India reaching 100 in just 16 overs.

Gambhir eventually fell for 90 when he was caught at mid-wicket by Mashrafe Mortaza off Reza.

Yuvraj Singh (36) joined man of the match Raina at the crease to see the game out.

Earlier, Kapali, only in the squad because of an injury to batsman Aftab Ahmed, celebrated his lucky inclusion in the team with a superb innings.

He hit 115 from 96 balls and his record sixth wicket stand of 112 with Mahmudullah (26 not out) took Bangladesh past their previous highest total against India of 257-9, made in 2004.

Scoreboard

Bangladesh

Iqbal c Dhoni b Ishant 55

Nazimuddin c Ojha b RP Singh 6

Ashraful c Ojha b Gony 20

Hasan b Ojha 25

Rahim c Dhoni b Ojha 22

Kapali c Ojha b Gony 115

Mahmudullah not out 26

Reza not out 0

Extras: (lb-5, w-9) 14

Total (6 wkts, 50 overs) 283

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-66, 3-102, 4-120, 5-169, 6-281.

Bowling: R.P. Singh 10-1-65-1, Gony 8-0-65-2, Ishant 10-0-48-1, Ojha 10-0-43-2, Y. Pathan 10-0-44-0, Yuvraj 2-0-13-0.

India

Gambhir c Mortaza b Reza 90

Uthappa b S Hossain 2

Rohit Sharma c Reza b S Hossain 22

Raina not out 116

Yuvraj not out 36

Extras (lb-11, w-7) 18

Asia Cup Today’s match Pakistan vs Lanka 3.30 pm

Total (3 wkts, 43.2 overs) 284

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-56, 3-195

Bowling: Mortaza 9-0-55-0, S Hossain 9-0-60-2, Mahmudullah 6-0-35-0, Reza 6-0-38-1, Abdur Razzak 9.2-0-59-0, Kapali 4-0-26-0.

Player of the match: Suresh Raina (India) — Reuters

Karachi, June 28
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today lambasted the gruelling schedule of the Asia Cup after his side swamped Bangladesh by seven wickets to record their third successive win in the competition here.

"We have spent 36 hours playing cricket out of the 84 hours we have been in Karachi. It is too tight. I am not happy with the schedule. Two teams have to play back-to-back matches while two have got a day off," he said at the post-match press conference.

Dhoni said his players were really tired after the matches and he was happy they would now get a couple of days off.

"It was tough out there for us. But I am happy we have kept going. Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have batted really well in the tournament and I hope they keep on doing the same," he said.

Dhoni, however, made it clear that despite the big wins, his team would guard against complacency and not get over confident.

"The other teams can't be written off and they can still come back so we have to be careful and we have to continue to play like this," he added.

He said he was not surprised at the way Bangladeshi batsman Alok Kapali had played. Kapali made 115 runs in the Bangladesh total of 283.

"He is an international player and one expects this from an international player. I think he exploited the situation and pitch well and he picked the right areas to hit."

Dhoni said the pitch had got easier for batting although he was expecting it to become slower.

"We would like to bat first if we start winning tosses," he said.

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful conceded that after posting a good score the fielders had failed to support the bowlers.

"The bowlers bowled well on an easy pitch but fielding was not supportive. We dropped catches and maybe if they had been taken it could have been different," he said.

Ashraful described Kapali's innings as one of the best he had seen for Bangladesh. — PTI

Vienna, June 28
Cesc Fabregas began Euro 2008 struggling to carve out a place for himself in Spain's over-crowded midfield but the 21-year-old is on course to end the tournament as his country's most decisive player. The debate before Euro 2008 focused on why the Arsenal favourite was unable to replicate his club form when playing for Spain. Typically, the astute former Barcelona youth teamer played down the controversy and put his finger on the reasons why he was not shining the way he had done at the London club.

''You have to analyse the way we play for the national team,'' he said. ''At Arsenal there is only one channel between the defence and attack and that is me, so I'm involved in practically all the attacks, but here there are more variations, more ways of attacking.

''It's is up to me to adapt but after over two years with the national team I think I've done pretty well. Good players have to be able to adapt to any type of football.'' He was as good as his word.

He was named among the substitutes for Spain's opening 4-1 win against Russia but came off the bench to set up his side's third goal and then weighed in with the fourth himself, his first for the national team.

Against Italy, Luis Aragones gave him the responsibility of taking the often decisive fifth spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out even though he had not taken one in a match since he was 15. Fabregas responded by sending Gianluigi Buffon the wrong way with a perfectly hit shot to put Spain through to the semis for the first time in 24 years.

In the semi-final rematch against Russia he changed the course of the match when he came on in place of the injured David Villa and gave Spain the edge with his driving play in midfield.

His presence gave Xavi more freedom to get forward and he set up two of his side's three goals with brilliant assists.

Fabregas has been used to taking on major responsibilities from an early age. Spirited away from Barcelona by Arsene Wenger when he was just 16, he enjoyed fast-track promotion to the Arsenal first team.

He became the club's youngest ever player and goalscorer in his first season and surprised many with a maturity and work ethic beyond his years.

His performances after stepping into the shoes of Patrick Vieira drew critical acclaim. ''Okay, maybe I'm biased but I think we have here potentially the outstanding midfielder of his era,'' said former Republic of Ireland international Liam Brady, head of youth development at Arsenal. — Reuters

London, June 28
Champion Venus Williams cranked up the power on Saturday to thunder into the fourth round of Wimbledon on Saturday, beating Spanish qualifier Maria Martinez Sanchez 6-1, 7-5.

The American, pursuing a fifth title at the All England Club, appeared to be in a hurry to join sister Serena in the last 16 and went about her task with ruthless efficiency.

Left hander Martinez Sanchez had taken a set off Venus in their only previous meeting but during the first 22 minutes of their contest on Saturday, it seemed she might be heading for a dreaded whitewash.

Venus raced into a 5-0 lead and though Martinez Sanchez briefly interrupted the run to win her first game, the 28-year-old American sealed the set with a 188 kph serve.

The Spaniard provided stiffer resistance in the second before Venus ended the match with her fastest delivery of the day, a 204 kph thunderbolt.

Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva battled her way into the fourth round on Saturday 7-6, 7-5 against feisty Argentine Gisela Dulko.

Dementieva, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon two years ago, played a patchy and inconsistent game on a sun-baked Court Two, starting by dropping her first four games.

But then she suddenly found her rhythm, fought doggedly back and landed the tiebreak 7-2.

The second set was an intriguing battle of wills with the determined pair level-pegging all the way to 5-5 when Dementieva made the crucial breakthrough on Dulko's service and then held on for victory.

Second seed Jelena Jankovic battled through a painful knee injury to overcome Danish teenager Caroline Wozniaki 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 and reach the fourth round.

The Serb slipped and jolted her left knee at the beginning of the match and appeared in trouble when the 17-year-old Wozniaki, seeded 31, capitalised on a string of errors from her opponent to go a set up. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

Champions Trophy: SA alternative venue
Dubai: Despite assurances that Pakistan remains the first choice to host the Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has put South Africa on standby as a possible venue for the biennial mega event. “South Africa could hold the Champions Trophy in case Pakistan or Sri Lanka can't,” an ICC source said. The Champions Trophy is due to be held in Pakistan from September 11 to 28. But the volatile security scenario in the country has prompted Australia and England to voice apprehensions regarding the safety of their players. A final decision on the host nation will be taken at the ICC's annual meeting which begins here on Sunday. — UNI

Asif's detention: Probe to begin after July 4
Karachi: The three-member fact finding committee, formed to probe the Mohammad Asif detention case in Dubai, is unlikely to begin its work before next week as they are still to receive all documents related to the case. Shafqat Naghmi, PCB chief operating officer, said they had not received the report of the case from the public prosecutor's office in Dubai . "Till we get the report, we can't start proceedings. We expect to do that around July 4," he said. Sources in the board, however, say that the authorities in Dubai did send a copy of their investigation report but it was in Arabic. "It is being translated," one source said. Asif was detained on June 1 by airport authorities in Dubai for possessing a contraband substance while he was returning home from India after playing in the IPL. — PTI

Ponting fined for showing dissent
St George's (Grenada): Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent at umpire's decision during the team's second ODI against the West Indies in Grenada.Match Referees Roshan Mahanama handed out the penalty after a post-match hearing, charging Ponting under clause 1.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct which refers to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision". The charge was laid by on-field umpires Asad Rauf and Norman Malcolm, as well as third umpire Billy Doctrove and fourth umpire Clyde Duncan. The incident happened during the Australia - West Indies match yesterday, when in the 23rd over of the West Indies innings, Malcolm turned down a caught behind appeal against Patrick Browne off the bowling of Michael Clarke. — PTI

Arjun Singh tied 13th
Chiang Rai (Thailand): After two days of steady golf, Arjun Singh faltered in his penultimate round and brought home his first over-par card to slide to tied 13th in the Singha Thailand PGA Championship at the Santiburi Country Club here on Saturday. Overnight tied fourth, Arjun fumbled on a wretched front nine, dropping as many as five bogeys there, against the fifth hole birdie. On his way back, the Indian minimised the damage by sinking four birdies, while dropping just one shot to aggregate six-under 210. Among his compatriots, Gaganjeet Bhullar (74) was joined by Gaurav Ghei (69) at tied 25th, while Amandeep Johl was tied 45th and Harmeet Kahlon (75) tied 55th. — PTI

Atwal misses cut
Clarksburg (Canada): A mundane second round of one-over 72 was just not enough to keep him afloat and Arjun Atwal missed the cut by seven clear shots in the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic here. After a poor opening round of 73, Atwal needed something special to finish inside the cut line but all the Orlando-based Indian could manage was one-over 73 and his two-day total of 145 was way below the cut line set at 138. Playing at the Georgian Bay Club, Atwal's fate was sealed when he bogeyed the third and 16th hole with a string of 12 par shots in between and though he signed off with a birdie, his campaign was all over by then. — PTI