ICE HOCKEY
Canucks name new coach
Willie Desjardins, who guided the Dallas Stars’ top developmental club to a championship last week, was named on Monday as the new coach of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks. Desjardins coached the Texas Stars for the past two seasons, guiding the Austin-based club to the American Hockey League crown earlier this month. He was previously coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers, a Canadian junior club, for eight seasons, including a stint as general manager as well from 2005 to 2010. “Willie Desjardins has won at every level and we believe he’ll be an excellent fit as we strive to return to the playoffs and build with youth for long-term success,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said. “Willie is a great teacher, motivator and communicator. His teams have competed with a style of play we believe will help us compete in our division and in the playoffs.”
FORMULA ONE
Schumacher records stolen
Michael Schumacher’s management has warned that someone is trying to sell documents that may be the medical files of the seven-time Formula One world champion. Nearly six months after sustaining serious head injuries in a skiing accident, the 45-year-old Schumacher left a French hospital last week and was transferred to neighboring Switzerland. He is no longer in a drug-induced coma. Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement on Monday that notes made about the German’s case have been stolen, and threatened to sue any publication willing to use them. “We cannot judge if these documents are authentic. However, the documents are clearly stolen. The theft has been reported,” Kehm said.
SOCCER
Costa turns down Clermont
Portugal’s Helena Costa will not be taking over as the new coach of French side Clermont Foot Auvergne 63, a decision described by the club president as “sudden and surprising.” The 36-year-old Costa made global headlines as the first woman to take charge of a men’s professional team in a leading European nation after being named in May to coach Clermont, who play in France’s second tier. “This decision is sudden and surprising. I deeply regret this situation,” Clermont president Claude Michy said on Monday. Clermont are a modest club from a city where rugby dominates, and they came 14th in Ligue 2 last season, while playing to average crowds of less than 4,000. When announcing her appointment last month, Michy dismissed suggestions that his move for Costa, who has a UEFA A coaching licence and a master’s degree in sports science, was a publicity stunt.
SOCCER
Hertha sign Heitinga
Hertha Berlin have signed Dutch center-back John Heitinga on a free transfer from Fulham, the Bundesliga club said on Monday. Heitinga, who has won 87 caps for his country, agreed a two-year deal. “I was desperate to play in the Bundesliga; that’s why I’m really looking forward to playing for Hertha,” the 30-year-old said on the Bundlesliga Web site (www.bundesliga.com). Sporting director Michael Preetz said: “John Heitinga is a defender with international experience, from whom our younger players in particular will learn a lot.” Heitinga began his career with Ajax in 2001, before moves to Atletico Madrid and Everton. He joined Fulham on a free transfer in January this year and played 14 times for the Cottagers before they were relegated to the Championship.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care