SOCCER
Podolski’s captaincy stripped
Germany forward Lukas Podolski has been stripped of the captaincy by Cologne and Brazilian defender Pedro Geromel appointed as his successor, coach Stale Solbakken said on Monday. Solbakken, yet to take charge of a competitive match since joining the club last month, acknowledged the decision could stir up discontent less than two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga season. “I can understand the reactions this decision will provoke and I can understand the disappointment of some fans, but I ask the fans to understand my decision is for the benefit of the whole team,” the coach told reporters. “Pedro Geromel will, as captain, exemplify the new culture of the team and embody our new overall sporting concept.”
CRICKET
New Aussie opener named
Phillip Hughes has been confirmed as the successor for dumped opener Simon Katich in an Australia squad, which includes two untried fast bowlers coming in at the expense of Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka. Australia selector Andrew Hilditch said 22-year-old Hughes deserved his chance to open the innings with vice captain Shane Watson, who had formed a successful partnership with Katich since 2009. The 35-year-old Katich didn’t have his national contract renewed this season. Allrounder Steven Smith was also cut from the squad. Trent Copeland and 21-year-old James Pattinson were selected ahead of Hilfenhaus and Bollinger, while Michael Beer held his spot as the specialist spin bowler.
SOCCER
Messi not joining US tour
Lionel Messi is among several Barcelona players who will not play for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in their upcoming three-match US tour. The Spanish side’s star striker will be resting after playing in the Copa America this month for Argentina. Also missing from the Barca lineup for the US matches will be Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez. Barca will open the US visit on Saturday against English Premier League champions Man United in suburban Washington. Barcelona will also play Mexican sides Chivas Guadalajara on Wednesday next week in Miami and Club America in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 6.
SOCCER
N’Zogbia fee agreed on
Aston Villa have agreed a fee for Wigan Athletic winger Charles N’Zogbia, the two Premier League clubs said on Monday. Neither club disclosed the fee, but media reports said the player would cost about £9.5 million (US$15.46 million). “We will now discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical, with a view to completing the transfer later this week,” Villa said on their Web site. The 25-year-old N’Zogbia is a direct replacement for Stewart Downing, who joined Liverpool this month in a £20 million deal.
FIELD HOCKEY
India bodies agree to truce
India’s two warring bodies have agreed to a temporary truce and will jointly run the sport until the end of next year. The Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a statement on Monday that the federations would form a joint executive board, which will select national teams as well as organize tournaments and camps. Ruling body HI was formed by the Indian Olympic Association in 2008 following IHF’s suspension because of bribery allegations. HI was also recognized by the sport’s world governing body, but the IHF’s status was restored by an Indian court last year.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two