VATICAN CITY
New, old stars play for pope
International soccer sensations from Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi to Roberto Baggio will take to the pitch in Rome next week for a charitable “peace match” organized by Pope Francis, organizers said on Monday. Kickoff will be at 8:45pm on Sept. 1 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, but the 77-year-old pope will not be cheering from the stands, despite being an avid soccer fan. Nor will he catch it on the big screen, a Vatican official said, although the Argentine pontiff is expected to meet with all the players before the match. Players on the match list include Argentina’s Messi, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Israel’s Yossi Benayoun. Former stars will also dust off their boots for the game, from Italy’s Baggio, to the Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchencko and Chile’s Ivan Zamorano. Former Inter captain Javier Zanetti, who is organizing the event, told journalists the idea had first been discussed during a private audience he had with the pope last year. “It’s the pope’s initiative and a new challenge for peace,” said Zanetti, a fervent Catholic known for his charity work. Viewers will be able to donate money by text message and the funds collected going to a project supporting poor children in Buenos Aires.
LA LIGA
Dangda thrilled with debut
Teerasil Dangda, the first Thai to play in La Liga, has spoken of his delight at making his debut for UD Almeria in a 1-1 draw with RCD Espanyol on Sunday. The 26-year-old striker, who is on a season-long loan from Thai Premier League side Muangthong United, came off the bench in the first fixture of the new season. “I was already happy when I was named one of the substitutes,” he was quoted as saying by the Nation on Monday. “I’m delighted to see action on the pitch. I can’t really describe my feelings. I didn’t know whether I was delighted, excited or nervous.” While little-known overseas, Teerasil is a household name in Thailand. He refused to be drawn on the prospects of a long-term deal with Almeria — who narrowly avoided relegation last season. “Let’s see how it turns out,” he was quoted as saying.
CHILE
Federation sues Puma
The Football Federation of Chile has filed suit against German sportswear and equipment maker Puma for “systematically violating” its contract, a newspaper reported. The federation filed its complaint through the Santiago Chamber of Commerce saying Puma sent its uniforms for the FIFA World Cup late, after first mistakenly sending kits for Ghana, according to daily El Mercurio. Puma failed to do marketing and advertising studies it had agreed to, and delivered balls in such poor shape they had to be swapped out, the complaint reportedly alleges. The federation wants to cut short the contract with Puma, which runs through July 31 next year, the newspaper said.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Russia takes ex-Hearts boss
Russia has granted asylum to Vladimir Romanov, the former owner of Scottish Premier League side Hearts, who is wanted in Lithuania over alleged bank fraud, prosecutors said on Monday. The chief prosecutor’s office in Vilnius said Moscow had refused to extradite the Russia-born Romanov, who is suspected of fraudulent activity as the head of his now-bankrupt Ukio Bankas group. The 67-year-old magnate fled Lithuania last year after the central bank suspended operations at Ukio Bankas, citing irregularities. Romanov faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
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
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
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
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