■ GERMANY
Mag says Brazil match fixed
The German weekly magazine Der Spiegel reports in today’s edition that the 2006 World Cup knock-out stage match between Brazil and Ghana was influenced by an Asian betting syndicate. The magazine reports large sums of money had been bet on Brazil winning by at least two goals and a former Ghana international acted as an intermediary. Ghana lost the match 3-0 in Dortmund on June 27, 2006, which put Brazil into the quarter-finals where they lost to France. The information in Der Spiegel comes from Canadian investigative journalist Declan Hill, whose book about betting on sport around the world is published in German tomorrow.
■ENGLAND
Spurs sign Pavlyuchenko
Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow. Pavlyuchenko arrived in England on Friday for a medical and negotiations over personal terms and the deal was sealed on Saturday. “We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Spartak Moscow for the transfer of Roman Pavlyuchenko to the club,” a statement on Tottenham’s Web site confirmed. The fee paid by Tottenham has not been disclosed, but it is understood to be around £14 million (US$25.5 million) and the move could pave the way for Dimitar Berbatov to leave Spurs for Manchester United.
■SPAIN
Robinho stays put: Calderon
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insisted on Saturday that Brazilian winger Robinho would be staying with the Spanish side, despite the player saying he is still in talks with English club Chelsea. “He’s going to stay here, I’m saying that,” Calderon told the daily ABC, adding that the Brazilian was “a good boy, badly advised” by his entourage. Robinho said in an interview with Brazilian television Globoesporte on Friday that he wanted to leave, adding that “negotiations were ongoing” for his eventual transfer to the English club. He was not called up as expected by German coach Bernd Schuster for Real’s first match of the season at Deportivo La Coruna yesterday. Schuster said that it would be better to wait until the situation regarding the player had been clarified. “I made the decision. He’s under pressure from his entourage and not fit to play,” Schuster said.
■SPAIN
Smolarek loaned to Trotters
Racing Santander have agreed to loan Polish international striker Euzebiusz “Ebi” Smolarek to Bolton Wanderers for the season, the first division Spanish side said on Saturday. Bolton will have the option to buy the 27-year-old at the end of the loan period, the club added in a statement posted on its Web site. Ebi joined Racing Santander last year from German club Dortmund, having previously spent time at Feyenoord. He scored four times in 34 appearances for Racing last season in La Liga. Ebi has 34 caps for Poland, having scored 13 times.
■GERMANY
Hamburg snap up Neves
Bundesliga side Hamburg confirmed yesterday the arrival of attacking midfielder Thiago Neves from Brazilian club Fluminense. The 23-year-old is set to sign a five-year contract in Hamburg, providing he passes a medical, for an undisclosed fee. Neves will step into the midfield role vacated by Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart who quit Hamburg in the summer to play for Real Madrid. “It is a dream for me to play in Europe, I want to really boost my career here,” the Brazilian said.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood on Monday sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool to leave the English Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title. Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the American Express Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before halftime, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma leveled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch. Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. The Reds have lost at
Logan O’Hoppe, Taylor Ward and Matthew Lugo homered, and the Los Angeles Angels spoiled Clayton Kershaw’s season debut, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Saturday night to take the first two games of the three-game series. Kershaw allowed three runs and threw 38 pitches in the first inning. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings, giving up five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Shoulder, toe and knee injuries limited Kershaw to seven games last season, and his 2025 debut was delayed as he recovered from multiple offseason surgeries. O’Hoppe had two hits with
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