■ Handball
Norway retain European title
Kari Mette Johansen scored nine goals on Sunday to lead Norway to a 27-24 win over Russia in the final of the women's European Handball Championship. Norway, the defending champions, led 16-12 at halftime. Kristine Lunde and Marianna Rokne added four goals each for the winners. Irina Poltoratskaia led Russia -- the reigning world champions -- with six goals. France beat Germany 29-25 with seven goals from Angelique Spincer in the bronze-medal game.
■ Soccer
Colombia bid for World Cup
Colombia was due to formally express its desire to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup yesterday. Colombia will present a letter of intent to FIFA and also will confirm its desire to host the tournament at a meeting tomorrow of the South American confederation, Luis Bedoya, president of the Colombian soccer federation, said on Sunday. In July, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he wanted the country to host the quadrennial championship. "The country can do it and can do it well," he said during a speech to inaugurate the Central America and Caribbean Games in Cartagena. Colombia was chosen as the host for the 1986 World Cup, but withdrew due to financial problems in 1982.
■ Belgium
Henin-Hardenne wins again
Justine Henin-Hardenne was voted Belgian sportswoman of the year on Sunday, her third title in the last four years. Henin-Hardenne, 24, won the French Open, and returned from injury to take the WTA Championship and finish with the No. 1 ranking last month. She reached the final of every Grand Slam this year, losing in Australia, at Wimbledon and in the US. Henin-Hardenne also was part of the Fed Cup team which reached this year's final, only to lose to Italy when she injured herself in the deciding match.
■ Germany
Soccer heroes team of year
The German national soccer team was selected as the country's team of the year on Sunday in voting by the country's sports journalists. Finishing third at the World Cup in June and July, Die Mannschaft received 4,165 votes with the field hockey world champions taking second with 2,919. Biathletes Michael Greis and Kati Wilhelm won the men's and women's individual honors. Greis won three golds at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and became the first male biathlete to win the honor in 60 years of voting. He received 3,126 votes, with Formula One runner-up Michael Schumacher second with 1,645. Wilhelm won a gold and two silvers at the Winter Games and was the overall World Cup champion. She won with 3,363 votes.
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