■BASKETBALL
Howard joins Wizards
The Washington Wizards have acquired veteran swingman Josh Howard and three other players from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for forward Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson. Going to Washington with Howard are center-forward Drew Gooden, forward James Singleton and guard-forward Quinton Ross, the Wizards said in a statement on Saturday. “This trade gave us a good opportunity to change our short-term future and improve our long-term future,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said. “It accomplished two goals by giving us financial flexibility and bringing a new look and energy to the roster.” The Wizards are mired in last place in the Southeast Division at the All-Star break with a 17-33 record.
■TENNIS
Youzhny stuns Djokovic
Russian Mikhail Youzhny upset top seed Novak Djokovic 7-6, 7-6 on Saturday to reach the final of the World Indoor Tournament. Sixth seed Youzhny next faces Swede Robin Soderling who overcame Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 7-6, 6-4. Djokovic and Youzhny made sloppy starts, both dropping their first service games. The Serb was unable to reach the high level of tennis he showed earlier this week and hit a double-fault to lose the first set 7-5 on the tiebreak. Djokovic then saved two match points before Youzhny won the second tiebreak 8-6. Earlier, second seed Davydenko dropped his first service game to Soderling but regained control to take the opening set into a tiebreak. Third seed Soderling prevailed and a break in the ninth game of the second set was enough to give him victory.
■SOCCER
Van Nistelrooy sparks win
Ruud van Nistelrooy came on as a substitute and scored two quick goals, his first for the club, to give Hamburg SV a 3-1 win at VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday. The Dutchman entered the fray in the 65th minute with the score at 1-1 and struck twice in a three-minute spell to hand Stuttgart their first defeat under coach Christian Gross. Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich stayed level on points at the top after winning at home. Leverkusen overcame VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 while Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1. Werder Bremen ran riot at Hanover 96, scoring four first-half goals in a 5-1 win. Hertha Berlin drew 1-1 at home to Mainz.
■SOCCER
Brighi stars as Roma win
Matteo Brighi scored twice and created another on Saturday to help AS Roma beat Palermo 4-1 in Serie A. Julio Baptista and John Arne Riise also scored for Roma, while Fabio Miccoli scored a penalty for Palermo late in the game. In the only other match, Sampdoria scored twice in the first half to beat Fiorentina 2-0 with goals from ex-Fiorentina players Franco Semioli and Giampaolo Pazzini. Roma took the lead in the 33rd minute when Francesco Totti’s corner picked out Brighi, whose volley took a deflection off Palermo defender Cesare Bovo on the way past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. In the 53rd minute Palermo’s defense was unable to clear and Brighi backheeled the ball along the line for Baptista to score into an empty net. Nine minutes later, Roma scored a third. Again Palermo’s defense was unable to clear and Brighi took one touch and fired a low shot in to the corner of the goal. Miccoli scored a penalty in the 80th after Taddei brought down Javier Pastore, but Riise added Roma’s fourth three minutes later.
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