■ NHL
Islanders sign Kozlov
The New York Islanders signed Viktor Kozlov to a one-year, US$865,000 contract on Wednesday. The Russian international forward had 12 goals and 13 assists in 69 NHL games with New Jersey last season. "Viktor brings a lot to the table," Islanders general manager Garth Snow said. "He can be a center or wing on any of our top three lines and be solid in all zones. This is an excellent addition for our team as we head into training camp." The Islanders open camp this week in Nova Scotia. Kozlov, who also had stints with San Jose and Florida, scored 144 goals and set up 247 others in 668 NHL regular-season games. The 31-year-old center-right winger was chosen by San Jose with the sixth pick in the 1993 draft. He helped Russia to fourth at the Turin Olympics. The Islanders also announced that South Korean forward Richard Park will attend training camp on a tryout basis.
■ Basketball
US hammers Nigeria
DeLisha Milton-Jones scored 13 points and the two-time defending champion US hammered Nigeria 79-46 at the women's basketball world championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Wednesday. Australia's Lauren Jackson scored 31 points in a 95-55 win against Senegal, and Gisella Vega scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Argentina over Spain 77-65. Iziane Castro Marques hit 21 points and was joined by three teammates in double figures as Brazil defeated South Korea 100-86. Sadrine Gruda had 22 points to lead France over Taiwan 100-68, and Russia downed China 86-66. Eva Viteck scored 19 points for the Czech Republic to top Cuba 73-51, and Jurgita Streimikyte picked up 21 points while Lithuania downed Canada 84-58. Argentina also featured Erica Sanchez with 15 points and Veronica Soberon's 11. Spain was hampered by the early of Amaya Valdemoro, who after scoring 17 in Tuesday's win over South Korea, played only three minutes because of a pulled calf muscle.
■ Soccer
Riquelme retires
Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has announced his retirement from international soccer. The 28-year-old midfielder told Buenos Aires television channel 13 that he had reached the decision because of the constant criticism that he faced and the health of his mother. "I've decided not to be part of the national team from now on. I have to think about my mother's health, so it was an easy decision because of that, but painful. I can take criticism, but my family comes before football," said Riquelme who has been constantly criticized by the media since Argentina's quarter-final defeat against Germany at the World Cup. His mother has twice been admitted to hospital since the World Cup. The Villarreal player said he had informed national team coach Alfio Basile of his decision, adding that his decision would be final and he would not come back. The former Argentine captain played his first international under coach Daniel Passarella in 1997. He scored eight goals in 37 internationals.
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