S P O R T S

Jesus shows Spain the light
Gdansk, June 19
Spain needed a late goal from substitute Jesus Navas to ensure its passage to the European Championship quarterfinals, beating Croatia 1-0 to finish first in Group C. Spain finally broke open the Croatia defense after wasting a number of late chances as Cesc Fabregas lobbed a through ball for Andres Iniesta.

Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas shoots to score in an open goal during their match against Croatia at the Gdansk Arena on Monday. Spain won 1-0. — AFP

Spain no longer unbeatable, says Bilic
London, June 19
Croatian coach Slaven Bilic has claimed that reigning world and European champions Spain are no longer unbeatable, and added that he didn't see them as big favourites at the ongoing Euro Cup. Croatia was knocked out of the Euros after losing 1-0 to Spain on Monday in Gdansk, Poland.

Loew refuses to talk politics ahead of Greece game
Gdansk, June 19
Germany coach Joachim Loew on Tuesday refused to be drawn into the political discussion surrounding his team's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Greece, saying for him it was a "normal" football match. The game, billed by the media of both countries as the clash of the eurozone, pits the eurozone's problem child against its rich northern paymaster.

Italy down Ireland to reach quarterfinals Poznan, June 19 Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli have scored the goals as Italy beat 10-man Ireland 2-0 at the Municipal Stadium here to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals. Spain's 1-0 win over Croatia meant Italy finished second in Group C yesterday and will play the Group D winners in the last eight while Ireland finish bottom with three defeats.
Italian forward Mario Balotelli (C) scores past Irish goalkeeper Shay Given (L) during their match at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan on Monday. Italy won 0-2. — AFP

• FREE KICKS

AITA wins the selection round New Delhi, June 19 The Sports Ministry wanted to read the riot act to the All India Tennis Federation (AITA) on the doubles team selection controversy, but when the federation pointed out the implication of the Government getting enmeshed in selection matters, the Sports Ministry chickened out. Leander Paes (L) and Mahesh Bhupathi after their WImbledon win in 1999.

India ‘A’ facing series defeat Gros Islet, June 19 India 'A' stand on the verge of a probable series defeat after suffering yet another batting collapse in their second innings against West Indies 'A' on the third day of the third and final unofficial cricket Test here today. India A’s Manoj Tiwary plays a shot against West Indies A team during the third day's play in St. Lucia on Monday. — PTI

Hungarian water polo player Gabor Kiss, Olympic champion (2008), poses with his fiancee Dora and their dog in Budapest. The Hungarian national water polo team, which has won the last three Olympic titles, is once again one of the favourite to win the London Games. — Reuters

Jesus shows Spain the light
Mid-fielder Jesus Navas scores the winner as Spain beat Croatia to advance

Gdansk, June 19
Spain needed a late goal from substitute Jesus Navas to ensure its passage to the European Championship quarterfinals, beating Croatia 1-0 to finish first in Group C. Spain finally broke open the Croatia defense after wasting a number of late chances as Cesc Fabregas lobbed a through ball for Andres Iniesta. The Barcelona midfielder controlled the ball before flicking a short pass over to Navas, who put his shot into an empty net in the 88th minute.

"We played to the end and we deserved the win," said Navas, who scored his second career goal for the world champions.

Spain dominated possession as expected but failed to create many clear opportunities on a warm night at the Arena Gdansk. On the other end, Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas made a pair of clutch saves in the second half.

The defending champions, who are trying to win their third straight major title, will next face the second-place team in Group D on Saturday in Donetsk, Ukraine. Italy also advanced from Group C after beating Ireland 2-0.

"We made a great step forward. We qualified. That's what motivates us for the quarterfinal. Our philosophy and style of play are good and we proved it in today's match," Del Bosque said. "The team played well even though the match didn't go as we planned." Navas' goal came moments after Iniesta and Fabregas failed to convert late opportunities, with the European champions often trying to string together one too many passes.

"We suffered a lot tonight. They are very good," Iniesta said. "We had to be patient. We had to wait for our chance.

That's what we did in the end." Croatia could have reached the quarterfinals with a victory. Casillas, however, made a reflex save on Ivan Rakitic's header in the 59th minute and then punched out substitute Ivan Perisic's low volley in the 79th.

Casillas, who recorded his 76th shutout in his 134th appearance, was Spain's steadiest player in defense as the backline was often troubled in the second half by balls into the box. — AP

Spain no longer unbeatable, says Bilic

Slaven Bilic's six-year reign as Croatia coach ended in frustrating fashion as they were defeated by holders Spain on Monday. — AFP

London, June 19
Croatian coach Slaven Bilic has claimed that reigning world and European champions Spain are no longer unbeatable, and added that he didn't see them as big favourites at the ongoing Euro Cup. Croatia was knocked out of the Euros after losing 1-0 to Spain on Monday in Gdansk, Poland.

Spain were made to sweat for their victory, as Croatia threatened to derail their Euro plans by making various good moves through out the game, but a 88th minute goal by substitute Jesus Navas killed Croatia's Euro dreams.

Bilic said his team could have easily won the match, and there are other teams in the Euros who are more aggressive and hungry to win than Spain. "We were close, we could have won. They are Euro and world champions but I don't see them like big favourites," The Sun quoted Bilic, as saying.

"There are lot of teams and maybe there are other teams who have more hunger to win and are more aggressive on the pitch," he added. — ANI

Loew refuses to talk politics ahead of Greece game

Gdansk, June 19
Germany coach Joachim Loew on Tuesday refused to be drawn into the political discussion surrounding his team's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Greece, saying for him it was a "normal" football match. The game, billed by the media of both countries as the clash of the eurozone, pits the eurozone's problem child against its rich northern paymaster.

"(German Chancellor) Angela Merkel and us, we have a good relationship and an agreement that she does not advise me on the lineups and I do not advise her on political statements," Loew told reporters.

"It is just a normal quarter-final game against Greece and nothing else," Loew said. Merkel is a deeply unpopular figure in Greece for the tough austerity principles she has imposed on the country mired in debt. Greek players on Monday also steered clear from talking about politics in relation to the game against Germany.

Loew, however, did not hesitate to comment on Greece playmaker Giorgos Karagounis' absence due to suspension. Karagounis scored the only goal against Russia. "I think he is the one who has been having the big ideas in the Greek game for years. He is the connection between the defence and the players in attack and for Greece his absence is painful."

Germany advanced after topping Group B with their best-ever European Championship group stage performance of three straight wins while Greece stunned Russia 1-0 on their final Group A match to qualify behind the Czech Republic.

"Greece will not be an easy opponent. They are uncomfortable," said central defender Holger Badstuber. "They will defend well but will also, no doubt, have their offensive impulses.

"We need to be focused and not take this game lightly just because they are a small team." — Reuters

Italy down Ireland to reach quarterfinals

Poznan, June 19
Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli have scored the goals as Italy beat 10-man Ireland 2-0 at the Municipal Stadium here to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals. Spain's 1-0 win over Croatia meant Italy finished second in Group C yesterday and will play the Group D winners in the last eight while Ireland finish bottom with three defeats.

While Italy were worthy winners, Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will have been bemused to see his side concede both goals from corners.

But Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will also have been concerned by his side's dip in physical condition in the final 20 minutes, just as it did in their previous two games. Ireland, who showed much willing but little quality, finished the game a man down after Keith Andrews was sent off late on by referee Cuneyt Cakir.

Having had their gameplan thrown into disarray by conceding early goals in their previous two matches, Ireland at least seemed fired up from the off.

Several times Ireland broke at pace and had the Italian defence back-pedalling but they spurned their own chances through either a wayward pass, poor decision-making or running down a blind alley.

Italy soon took command although Daniele De Rossi's left-foot volley from outside the box was a touch over-ambitious.

Selected ahead of Balotelli, Antonio Di Natale found space in the box three times only to see his shots blocked by Irish centre-backs Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger.

Di Natale was giving Italy what Prandelli had asked for as he got in behind the defence to latch onto Cassano's through ball before rounding goalkeeper Shay Given and shooting goalwards, only to see St Ledger recover to hack the ball off the line.

Moments later Cassano set his sights from distance and although Given had his body behind the ball, he spilled it and was relieved to see it bounce behind for a corner. — AFP

FREE KICKS

Polish FA chief refuse to go

WARSAW: The head of the Polish FA refused to bow to growing pressure to resign after the Euro 2012 co-hosts failed to reach the knockout stage, saying on Tuesday he did everything possible to help the team prepare for the tournament. On Monday, Sports Minister Joanna Mucha called on Grzegorz Lato to step down after Poland were knocked out after finishing bottom of Group A, failing to win any of their three Group A matches despite playing in front of enthusiastic home crowds. "I don't see any reason for me to resign because the team did not advance out of the group," Lato told a news conference. — Reuters

Chiellini a major doubt for quarters

KRAKOW: Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini is a major doubt for their Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev on Sunday and perhaps even the rest of the tournament after suffering a thigh problem. "The first tests are not great," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told a news conference on Tuesday when asked if Chiellini could miss the rest of the competition. "I don't know, we will see." Chiellini suffered the injury in Monday's 2-0 Group C win over Ireland and was replaced by fellow centre back Leonardo Bonucci. — Reuters

Dutch players back coach

ROTTERDAM: The Netherlands' worst performance at a major tournament has undermined the standing of coach Bert van Marwijk but his Euro 2012 players are backing him despite calls from fans and the media for a fresh start. The World Cup finalists went home after losing all three of their Group B matches - a performance so far only matched by unfancied Ireland - to Denmark, Germany and Portugal. Their humiliated squad, who arrived in Amsterdam on Monday afternoon, are now free to follow the national discussion about what should happen to the team and Van Marwijk. Playmaker Wesley Sneijder, set to become the captain with 35-year-old Mark van Bommel expected to retire from the national team, was the first to stand up for his beleaguered coach. "“We can't blame the coach for this, he did a great job for us in the last four years," said Sneijder. — Reuters

AITA wins the selection round
Paes expresses disappointment at controversy
M.S.Unnikrishnan
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19
The Sports Ministry wanted to read the riot act to the All India Tennis Federation (AITA) on the doubles team selection controversy, but when the federation pointed out the implication of the Government getting enmeshed in selection matters, the Sports Ministry chickened out.

AITA president Anil Khanna is learnt to have brought to the knowledge of Sports Minister Ajay Maken in their meeting at the Ministry today that the decision to name Mahesh Bhupathi to partner Leander Paes in the men’s doubles team for the London Olympics was the unanimous decision of the selection panel, headed by former India captain and Davis Cupper Jaideep Mukherjea, and that the Paes-Bhupathi combo was the best bet for an Olympic medal.

He also explained the experience factor and tactical reasons for pairing up Paes and Bhupathi, as it would be taking a huge risk, if Rohan Bopanna was allowed to partner Mahesh, never mind the fact that they have attained Olympic qualification, and India could have fielded two teams.

But the AITA clarified that the Bhupathi-Bopanna pair was not assured of an entry to the Olympic doubles as a team, and warned them that “two players cannot make a pact with each other to keep the No 1 player out and publicly suggest that he (Leander) should go to the Olympics with the No 5 player”.

If Bhupathia and Bopanna refuse to team up with Leander, he would have to partner a rookie player like Yuki Bhambri or Vishnu Vardhan (as Somdev Devvarman is injured), who are nowhere near the class of the Paes-Bhupathi combination. After the meeting, both Ajay Maken and Anil Khanna agreed that it would be for the best national interest to field the best combination for the Olympics, instead of giving credence to the voices of dissent expressed by Bhupathi and Bopanna, for not fielding them as a team.

Indian Olympic Association acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra had also sought a report from Anil Khanna on the selection controversy, though he had made it clear that it was the “prerogative of the National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the AITA, to select their teams for the Olympics”.

Meanwhile, Leander is reported to have written to the AITA that the decision of Bhupathi and Bopanna not to team up with him for the Olympics was “unfortunate” as the “three of us had signed an agreement with the AITA to play unconditionally for the country”.

“Besides, it is an honour to represent our country and one would have thought that this would have been a motivation for them to accept the AITA selection decision and participate in the Olympics”.

Leander also expressed his dilemma of teaming up with a lesser ranked player, if Bhupathi refused to play with him. “When I sent you my unconditional participation in the Olympics, I believed that we would put our best foot forward for a gold medal. By setting up a second team, as suggested by some, you would create a situation where your No 1 player and the only Indian in the top 10 ATP doubles rankings, would have to play with the No 5 Indian player. This would be unfair”, he asserted.

The AITA also agreed with the views of the ace player, as after the meeting with the Ministry, the federation said pairing Leander with a junior player would be “most inappropriate”.

The AITA will have to send the team by name to the Olympic organising committee latest by June 21, and the federation will stick to the team it has already named, without giving into the demands of the two warring players.

India ‘A’ facing series defeat

Gros Islet, June 19
India 'A' stand on the verge of a probable series defeat after suffering yet another batting collapse in their second innings against West Indies 'A' on the third day of the third and final unofficial cricket Test here today.

After conceding a crucial 106-run first innings lead to West Indies 'A', India's top-order yet again disappointed as the visitors ended the third and penultimate day at 181 for seven in their second essay, still trailing the home team by 75 runs.

After India's first four wickets fell cheaply for just 35 runs, Manoj Tiwary showed some resilience with a gritty 62 off 119 balls to take the visitors forward in their second innings in wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha's company.

At stumps on day three, Saha remained unbeaten on 48 while giving him company was Shami Ahmed on 16. For the hosts, pace duo of Delorn Johnson and Kevin McClean scalped three wickets apiece to derail India's innings.

With a healthy first innings lead on their side, Johnson and McClean bowled aggressively to put the hosts on top. Johnson, who has dismissed Abhinav Mukund four times on the tour so far, had his man again when he got the out-of-form India opener to edge one to keeper Devon Thomas. Mukund's sequence of scores on the tour read a poor 0, 0, 8, 8, 10 and 20. — PTI