■ SOCCER
Schuster set for Real Madrid
Bernd Schuster, the German coach of Spanish top flight outfit Getafe, said in an interview with sports daily AS on Friday he expected to be installed within days as Fabio Capello's successor at Real Madrid. "I am sure all will be sorted out next week," said Schuster, 47, a former Real star who also played with distinction in Spain with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. "Angel [Torres, the Getafe chairman], has made me very happy. He knows I have given my all for Getafe these past two years and he will not stand in the way of me fulfilling my dream. He has behaved like a gentleman and I am sure there will be no problem," Schuster said.
■ SWIMMING
Phelps wins in Santa Clara
US swimming star Michael Phelps broke his own 200m butterfly meet record and compatriot Natalie Coughlin won two titles on Friday at the Santa Clara International meet. Phelps, aiming to break Mark Spitz's record of seven Olympic gold medals at next year's Beijing Games, won in 1 minute 56.05 seconds to break his meet record from 2003 by 0.01 of a second, although off his world record 1 minute 52.09 seconds from last March. Coughlin captured the women's 100m freestyle in 54.12 seconds, beating Emily Silver by 1.58 seconds, and took the 100m butterfly in 58.45 seconds, 0.05 seconds ahead of Dana Vollmer.
■ GOLF
Khan grabs lead in France
England's Simon Khan produced the round of the day with a four-under 67 to grab the halfway lead at a weather-hit French Open on Friday. Playing with an old, battered putter he had requisitioned from his two-year-old daughter in a bid to end his woes on the greens, the 35-year-old Khan had a bogey-free round with four birdies as he got to five-under for the tournament.
■ GOLF
Perry fires nine-under 63
Kenny Perry, so off target in round one that he broke a spectator's nose, fired a nine-under par 63 on Friday to grab a share of the lead after two rounds of the US PGA Buick Open. The 46-year-old American matched his low round of 2007 and equaled compatriots Jim Furyk and Brett Quigley on 10-under par 144 after 36 holes at the US$4.9 million event. Perry's sizzling round followed a horrid 71 on Thursday that saw him hit two spectators. "I broke a lady's nose with a three-wood, going into 16," Perry said. "It hit her flush. She didn't even see it and it just shattered her nose ... She had so much blood all over. I've never seen anything like that. It really shook me up. Then I hit a guy on the 13th hole off the tee, hit him in the shoulder."
■ BASKETBALL
Mavericks row heats up
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban claims in an ongoing dispute with his former coach that Don Nelson used "confidential information" to help the Golden State Warriors pull off a stunning first-round NBA playoff victory. That accusation is part of Cuban's response to an arbitration claim Nelson has filed against Cuban to get US$6.5 million of deferred compensation, which Nelson said he was owed for his time with the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005. "Don may know that [Dirk] Nowitzki likes to turn toward his left shoulder not his right shoulder, but we don't think that's a trade secret or confidential information," Nelson's attorney, John O'Connor, said by telephone on Friday from his San Francisco office. "Cuban apparently does." Cuban didn't respond to e-mail on Friday, when he had left hip replacement surgery.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely