SOCCER
Boscagli leads Nice to win
Teenager Olivier Boscagli on Friday sent OGC Nice into the French winter break on a winning note as he struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory at home to Montpellier Herault. Nice had gone five matches without a win in all competitions before 18-year-old Boscagli scored his first Ligue 1 goal after 31 minutes at the Allianz Riviera. The result moved Claude Puel’s side to within a point of the top four while Montpellier, who suffered just their second defeat in 10 league games, remained in 13th.
SOCCER
Schalke defeat Hoffenheim
A solitary goal credited to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on Friday gave Schalke 04 a welcome 1-0 win against struggling TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in their final Bundesliga outing of the year. The Gelsenkirchen club had managed just one victory in their previous seven outings to put pressure on coach Andre Breitenreiter, but Cameroon forward Choupo-Moting struck in the 28th minute to give Schalke the lead they deserved on the basis of their first-half display. Johannes Geis sent in a cross from the right toward the far post and it was not entirely clear whether the decisive touch came off Choupo-Moting or Hoffenheim’s Czech defender Pavel Kaderabek. Before that Leon Goretzka had fired narrowly wide and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar forced a save out of Oliver Baumann, and while Hoffenheim improved after the break, they rarely looked like equalizing, although Eduardo Vargas sent a shot just over.
RUGBY UNION
Northampton, Racing tie
Northampton and Racing 92 on Friday played out a dour 9-9 draw at Franklin’s Gardens in their Pool 3 clash in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Northampton flyhalf Stephen Myler and Racing’s World Cup-winning star Dan Carter kicked three penalties apiece in a decidedly more even contest than the reverse fixture a week ago. On that occasion, the French side thumped their English opponents 33-3 in the Paris suburbs and once again Saints were unable to cross the try line. England coach Eddie Jones was in attendance, but there was little to really catch his eye as Racing cemented their place at the top of the group thanks to the kicking of Carter, whose right leg was heavily strapped. Two penalties from the New Zealander gave Racing a 6-3 interval lead, and as the final quarter loomed the score only read 9-6 to the Top 14 club, allowing Myler’s third penalty to level the score.
BOXING
Fury to attend BBC awards
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury plans to attend the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award show despite the controversy over his nomination. Fury is in the running to win the main award after the British fighter clinched the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization titles in last month’s stunning victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany. However, his comments comparing homosexuality and abortion with pedophilia, and saying a “woman’s best place is on her back” led to a petition calling for Fury’s removal from the nominees for the awards reaching in excess of 130,000 signatures. The BBC has been steadfast in its stance on Fury, with director general Tony Hall insisting he has been included on the list for his “sporting prowess.” Now Fury’s promoter has confirmed the champion is to be in attendance at the awards ceremony in Belfast this weekend.
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