■ Cycling
Haussler takes Stage 19
Heinrich Haussler of Germany won a late sprint to take the 19th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday, while defending champion Roberto Heras retained his overall lead. Haussler, of the Gerolsteiner team, crossed the line in 3 hours, 20 minutes, 26 seconds leading a tight three-man pack with Martin Elmiger of Switzerland second and Spain's David Latasa third. Both were awarded the same time as Haussler. "It's my first professional win and it's very important for me and for my team," said the 21-year-old Haussler. "It justified their presence at the Vuelta, despite not coming here with their best riders after the Tour de France."
■ Soccer
Robin van Persie banned
Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has been banned for one match after his high kick hit Alen Orman in the face during his team's Champions League match against Swiss side Thun. UEFA's ruling on Friday means Van Persie will miss Arsenal's next Champions League match, away to Ajax on Sept. 27. Van Persie received a red card from Polish referee Grzegorz Gilewski after catching Orman in the face with his raised foot shortly before halftime of Wednesday's group-stage fixture in at Highbury. The forward lifted his boot high to try and control the ball and caught Orman in the face, opening an ugly gash that required eight stitches. The Gunners won 2-1. Although Arsenal argued that Van Persie had unintentionally hit Orman in the face, soccer's European governing body deemed that even if the player had not intended to harm his opponent, "the reckless element involved in the challenge was punishable under UEFA disciplinary law." UEFA said the decision was not subject to appeal.
■ Hockey
John J. McMullen dies
John J. McMullen, former owner of NHL team the New Jersey Devils and the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, died in Montclair, New Jersey on Friday at 87. The cause of death was not released by the Devils. McMullen was credited with bringing NHL hockey to New Jersey, acquiring the Colorado franchise in 1982 and moving it to the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Under his ownership, the team won two Stanley Cups. He sold the franchise in 2000 to an affiliate of the YankeeNets sports holding company for US$175 million. McMullen owned the Astros from 1979-1992. He then sold the team to Drayton McLane Jr. for US$115 million. Born in Jersey City, McMullen graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940 and rose to the rank of commander during a 15-year naval career. He earned a master's degree in naval architecture and engineering from MIT and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
■ Football
NFL suspends Bucs back
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie fullback Rick Razzano was suspended for four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids. Razzano said through the team that he tested positive for a substance he used in training before joining the Buccaneers. He did not identify the substance. Razzano, a third-stringer who plays behind Mike Alstott and Jameel Cook, was inactive for last Sunday's season opener at Minnesota. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 10, a day after Tampa Bay plays the New York Jets.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two