Blackpool thwarted a late rally by Birmingham City in their Championship playoff on Wednesday, drawing 2-2 to clinch a 3-2 aggregate victory and set up a high-stakes final with West Ham United at Wembley Stadium next week.
Goals either side of halftime by Steven Dobbie and Matt Phillips put the visitors 2-0 up in the semi-final second leg, but Birmingham refused to be beaten on the night, and fought back through Nikola Zigic and Curtis Davies.
Defender Davies ensured a nerve-jangling finish when his powerful close-range header in the 73rd minute made up for his own-goal in the first leg.
“I’m so proud of my players,” Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told Sky Sports. “That was a fantastic fightback by Birmingham and it was all so exciting that I had to ask someone what the score was. It’s all over now though. We did it and we are going to Wembley.”
West Ham, relegated last season, take on Blackpool at Wembley on May 19 for a place in the Premier League in a tussle known as the “richest club match in soccer” because the financial rewards for promotion are enormous.
“This has been a real tough day for us,” Birmingham manager Chris Hughton said. “I’ve just walked away from a devastated dressing room — we all feel that way because it’s been a long, hard season. We’ve had lots of ups and downs, lots of emotion, and it makes it even tougher when you get so close to reaching the final and miss out.”
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