■UKRAINE
Shevchenko rejoins Kiev
Former European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko has agreed to rejoin Dynamo Kiev from Chelsea. “Shevchenko has signed a two-year contract,” the Ukrainian club said on their Web site on Saturday. Kiev added the 32-year-old Ukraine striker would be presented as their player yesterday. On Friday, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said he could not guarantee Shevchenko first-team soccer. “I spoke with Shevchenko and he would like to play with continuity here. For me it is difficult to give him this possibility and I think he has taken the right decision [to move],” Ancelotti said.
■PORTUGAL
Porto go top of the table
New striker Radamel Falcao’s early goal helped four-time defending champions FC Porto beat Naval 3-1 in the Portuguese league on Saturday. The Colombia striker, signed from Argentina’s River Plate in the summer to replace the departed Lisandro Lopez, notched his third goal in as many games in the eighth minute at Bento Pessoa Stadium. Silvestre Varela made it 2-0 in the 61st minute, before Rolando’s own-goal in the 75th minute cut the lead to one. Ernesto Farias re-established the two-goal cushion two minutes later as Porto moved to the top of the table with seven points from three games. Also on Saturday, Pacos Ferreira drew 0-0 with Guimaraes.
■GREECE
Aris held by rivals Iraklis
Javier Campora scored two goals as Aris drew 2-2 at crosstown rivals Iraklis on Saturday in a match delayed for 45 minutes just a few seconds after kickoff when an Iraklis fan slapped and shouted obscenities at Aris goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis. Private security employees did nothing to prevent the fan from reaching Sifakis and the fan was not arrested. The draw moved both clubs to the top of the Greek league alongside Asteras, with all the teams on four points. Asteras had earlier beaten Kavala 1-0 away from home. Campora put Aris ahead with a low drive in the 21st minute, but four minutes later, Victoras Iacob leveled with a powerful header. Campora put his team ahead again with a header off a cross from Sergio Koke in the 38th minute, but in the 58th minute Denis Epstein converted a penalty. Also on Saturday, Panionios drew 1-1 at home with Ergotelis.
■NETHERLANDS
Alkmaar down Willem II
Hector Moreno and Brett Holman scored for AZ Alkmaar, who beat Willem II 2-1 to move atop the Dutch league on Saturday. Sergio Zijler grabbed the lone goal for Willem 11 in the 23rd minute. AZ lead the standings with 12 points, two more than Feyenoord and FC Twente, who have a game in hand. Also on Saturday, VVV-Venlo maintained their unbeaten run by holding NEC Nijmegen 1-1 for their fifth straight draw. Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda set up Sandro Calabro for the opening goal in the 30th minute, before Ramon Zomer equalized for NEC six minutes after the break. FC Utrecht downed Sparta Rotterdam 2-0 with goals from Jacob Lensky and Gregoor van Dijk.
■ENGLAND
Lennon set for recall
Aaron Lennon looks set to be recalled for England’s World Cup qualifier against Croatia when a victory would secure qualification for South Africa 2010. The speedy winger has impressed national manager Fabio Capello in the early weeks of the season, having helped Tottenham win their first four matches of the Premier League season.
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