■ Soccer
Ronaldinho takes top prize
Ronaldinho was named FIFPro world player of the year for the second straight time. The Barcelona midfielder won the award after a vote by fellow professionals. FIFPro is the international players' organization. The Brazil international was to be presented the award at a ceremony on Monday in Athens, Greece, but it was canceled after a dispute between the Greek government and an English commercial partner involved in organizing the event. "We are really sorry about this," FIFPro said in a statement." Ronaldinho led Barcelona to the Champions League title last season, beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final.
■ Soccer
Ecuadorean great dies
Hundreds of fans lined up on Monday to bid farewell to soccer great Alberto Spencer, who died last week in the US after undergoing heart surgery. Considered Ecuador's greatest soccer player, Spencer was brought home for a nine-hour stop in the Voltaire Paladines Polo coliseum in the coastal city of Guayaquil for an open-casket ceremony. During 12 years with Uruguay's Penarol, he scored 326 goals, including 48 in the Copa Libertadores. He scored six more goals for Ecuador's Barcelona squad in South America's club championship, setting a tournament record of 54 goals that stands today.
■ Beach Soccer
Portugal, Bahrain advance
Portugal and Bahrain both won on Monday to earn places in the quarter-finals of the Beach Soccer World Cup, while Uruguay also advanced despite a penalty kick loss to Cameroon. Portugal defeated the Solomon Islands 14-2 to top Group C while Bahrain defeated Nigeria on penalties 4-3 following a 5-5 tie. Three more quarter-final berths remain up for grabs in Tuesday's final group games. Defending champion France already has clinched its place but the other berth from Group B along with both places from Group A remain undecided.
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