SOCCER
Almeria edges Celta Vigo 1-0
A first-half goal by Tomer Hemed gave UD Almeria a 1-0 win over RC Celta Vigo in Vigo, Spain, on Friday for their third win this season in the Spanish league. The Israel forward raced toward goal to tap in the ball after a cross by teammate Edgar Mendez bounced off Celta defender Andreu Fontas’ chest and landed just in front of him in the 17th minute. Celta missed a chance to equalize in the 72nd when Fabian Orellana was tripped from behind in the penalty area, but Manuel “Nolito” Agudo failed to convert when his shot was saved by Almeria goalkeeper Julian Cuesta. Almeria rise above the relegation zone on 13 points after 16 rounds, while Celta are eighth on 20. Real Madrid lead with 39 points, with Barcelona second on 35.
SOCCER
Lens beat Nice 2-0
Racing Club de Lens beat mid-table OGC Nice 2-0 on Friday to secure a vital win their relegation battle and move provisionally out of the relegation zone. Both sides entered the game having won only one of their previous five games, but Lens was more threatening. Shortly after Nice hit the crossbar, Lens scored in the 38th minute when 19-year-old Wylan Cyprien beat goalkeeper Simon Pouplin with a slightly deflected shot following a cross from fellow midfielder Lalaina Nomenjanahary. Veteran striker Adamo Coulibaly ensured the win in the 86th, beating two defenders before side-footing the ball confidently past Pouplin. Lens, who are provisionally up to 16th spot ahead of this weekend’s matches, heads into the winter break with 19 points — one place above Evian, which has 19 points despite playing two games less.
BOXING
Khan donating golden shorts
British boxer Amir Khan plans to donate a £30,000 (US$47,000) pair of shorts to help rebuild the Pakistan army-run school where 148 people were killed by the Taliban. Khan, who is of Pakistani heritage, wore the flamboyant shorts, including a waistband made from 24-carat gold threading, when he successfully defended his WBC welterweight title against Devon Alexander in Las Vegas last weekend. The 28-year-old became a father in May when his daughter Lamysa was born and he was keen to do something to help following the tragic events in Peshawar, which saw 132 children plus several members of staff killed in the attack. “I can only imagine what those parents are going through,” Khan told BBC Radio 5 live. “We are very lucky in England, we have good security and I will be able to send my little girl to school and know she will be fine, but in Pakistan you cannot do that. They send the kids outside the house and do not know if they are going to come back. It’s very sad to know that. I’m going to be donating them [the shorts] towards what happened in Pakistan. I want to rebuild the school and strengthen the security over there.”
KICKBOXING
Ex-NBA center loses debut
Former NBA center Darko Milicic, a 2.13m Serb who spent 10 years with various teams after being the second overall pick in the 2003 draft behind LeBron James, has lost his first kickboxing fight. The 29-year-old Milicic sustained a bloody cut on his left leg in the first round of an exhibition match on Thursday night against Serbian fighter Radovan Radojcic. The World Kickboxing Association bout had to be stopped in the second round on doctor’s orders. “The next time, it will be better,” Milicic said. “I’m invincible.”
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