Tina Thompson scored 19 points and Candace Parker added 17 to lead two-time defending champion US 90-80 over Russia on Thursday and send it to the second round of basketball's Women's World Championship with its third win in as many games.
It was Russia's first loss, while the Americans finished first-round play atop Group C.
Spain outscored Brazil 12-9 in the final quarter and rallied to beat Brazil 67-66. Amaya Valdemoro led Spain with 19 points, while Brazil's Iziane also had 19.
Argentina got 25 points from Gisella Vega to notch its second straight win, 83-64 over South Korea.
The results finished Argentina atop Group A in first-round play, just ahead of Brazil and Spain, all of which had identical 2-1 records.
Eva Viteckova scored 23 points to lead five Czech players in double figures as the Czech Republic rolled over Taiwan 93-72. It was the Czechs' second straight win after an opening four-point loss to France.
Cuba downed France 78-73, led by Yakelyn Plutin with 22 points, while Yayma Boulet added 18 and Yamara Amargo had 17.
The Czechs finished atop Group D, followed by the French and Cuba.
Unbeaten Australia routed Canada 97-65 to finish first in Group B, while China beat winless Nigeria 71-59 to finish third in Group C and claim the last spot in the second round.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two