■ TURKEY
Kayseripor win Turkish Cup
Kayseripor took home the Turkish Cup and gained a berth in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday night after beating Ankara’s Genclerbirligi 11-10 in European soccer’s second longest penalty shootout. A total of 28 shots were taken after a goalless 120 minutes dominated by the luckless Ankara side, who barely escaped relegation last weekend. Genclerbirligi were also involved in the longest European penalty shootout on record, in another Turkish Cup match in November 1996, when they won a shootout against Galatasaray 17-16 after a 1-1 draw.
■ ROMANIA
Cops find cash in suitcase
Five people were arrested on Wednesday after police found a suitcase containing 1 million euros (US$1.5 million) in cash reportedly put up by Steaua Bucharest in a bid to help them win the title. Investigators suspect the cash haul was offered by Steaua to Universitatea Cluj on one condition — that they did not lose to Steaua’s only rivals to the Romanian first division title. In the end Universitatea lost 1-0 to CFR Cluj, a result which saw CFR Cluj clinch the title on the last day of the season by one point from Steaua. Livia Saplacan, a spokeswoman for Romania’s anti-corruption squad said: “We confirm that an inquiry is taking place in Cluj.”
■ SPAIN
Giner admits cash incentive
Former defender Fernando Giner and his Valencia teammates received a “substantial” cash incentive from Barcelona to perform well against Deportivo La Coruna in a 1994 Spanish league match. “Obviously there was a bonus, and a sizeable one, from Barcelona,” he revealed in an interview with the press service of Spain’s indoor soccer league. “I accepted the money, but this money had a bitter taste,” the 43-year-old said. The May 14, 1994, match between Valencia and Deportivo resulted in a goalless draw. Barcelona ended the season with the same number of points as Deportivo, but won the Spanish league title because they had scored more goals in the matches involving the two teams.
■ ITALY
Capello to be tried in Rome
England coach Fabio Capello will be tried for false testimony and obstructing the course of justice by Rome judicial authorities, Italian news agency Ansa reported on Wednesday. Capello and the general manager of Juventus Antonio Giraudo have been charged following testimonies they gave to the court back in March. The former Juventus, AC Milan and Real Madrid coach is accused of wrong-doing in relation to the activities of Gea World, a sports agency that represented several players and their dealings with Juventus during the England manager’s spell at the helm of the Italian giants. On March 31 Capello was questioned in relation to the match-fixing scandal that saw Juventus relegated to Serie B for the 2006-2007 season, alongside ex-Juve directors Luciano Moggi and Giraudo, but all three repeatedly answered: “I can’t remember.”
■ UKRAINE
Shakhtar win Cup final
Shakhtar Donetsk won their sixth Ukraine Cup, beating reigning champions Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in the final on Wednesday. Shakhtar dominated the first half and opened the scoring a minute before the break through striker Alexander Gladky, who fired under the crossbar from 10m. Shakhtar’s second-half substitute midfielder Alexei Gai added a goal with 12 minutes remaining to secure his side’s well-deserved win.
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