Germany are considering whether to cancel tomorrow’s international friendly against the Netherlands in the wake of the deadly terror attacks across Paris.
At least 129 people were killed in a series of violent incidents across the French capital on Friday, with several deaths taking place near the Stade de France, where France were playing Germany in an international friendly.
Germany are due to host the Netherlands in Hanover, Germany, tomorrow, while the French Football Federation has decided their friendly against England at London’s Wembley is to go ahead as planned.
After the attacks in Paris, Germany’s players decided to spend Friday night at the Stade de France, with the squad attempting to grab some sleep on mattresses on the changing room floor, before flying home early on Saturday.
Head coach Joachim Loew yesterday was to hold a telephone conference with the team’s bosses to decide if the friendly against the Netherlands should go ahead.
“This is a very sensitive subject for the team,” said Loew, who described the events of Friday as a “nightmare.”
“Basically, I am of the opinion that we do not yield to terror and terrorists should not be allowed the triumph that we dance to their tune,” Loew added.
Germany’s players were all given yesterday off to be with their families and did not travel to Hanover as scheduled, and all appointments for the day were canceled.
“We wanted to sleep on it for a night and then see if it is acceptable or not to play on Tuesday, but I am of the opinion that we should not give in to terror,” said German Football Association interim joint president Reinhard Rauball, who led the delegation in Paris.
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