MIRACLE MAN: Having taken the Netherlands and South Korea to World Cup semi-finals in 1998 and 2002, Guus Hiddink led Russia into the Euro 2008's last eight
Guus Hiddink's reputation as a miracle worker was given further credence on Wednesday as a young Russian side overcame a vastly more experienced Swedish one 2-0 in their Euro 2008 Group D clash to progress to the last eight at the expense of the Swedes.

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The Spanish press yesterday stepped up the pressure on Italy ahead of their Euro 2008 quarter-final, talking of a sporting “vendetta” in which Spain would take revenge for its 1994 World Cup exit.

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Spain equaled their record of nine straight wins with a 2-1 defeat of Greece on Wednesday that confined the reigning champions to their third defeat of the tournament.

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London's mayor told organizers of the 2012 Olympics on Wednesday to keep the budget from spiraling out of control after a study found that building costs increased by £106 million (US$207 million) in the last seven months.

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New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori turned his fire on the umpires after his team were denied the chance of a victory following a farcical finish to the second one-day international against England.

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CROSS-STATE RIVALS: At New York, Alex Rodriguez hit a home run for the fourth straight game and the Yankees beat the Padres 8-5 to snatch their sixth victory in a row
Jerry Manuel got his first win managing the Mets when New York rallied to tie it in the ninth inning and Damion Easley homered in the 10th to beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 on Wednesday.

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With Wang Chien-ming on the sidelines, the New York Yankees have called on journeyman Dan Giese to start in place of the Taiwanese hurler tomorrow against the Cincinnati Reds.

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Tiger Woods' epic US Open triumph may have exacted a costly price as golf's undisputed superstar announced on Wednesday he needed season-ending knee surgery.

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Lorena Ochoa wants to climb to base camp on Mount Everest someday. What she won't do is try for the summit.

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Although the Los Angeles Lakers' season ended with a thud, they have Andrew Bynum coming back and youth and Kobe Bryant on their side, so they can say "Wait 'til next year" and be taken seriously.

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SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett testified on Wednesday that he made mistakes in dealing with the city of Seattle after he bought the NBA team in 2006.

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Defending champion Ivan Ljubicic was ousted by Viktor Troicki of Serbia 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the second round of the Ordina Open on Wednesday. In the women’s event, seventh-seeded Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia beat Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan 6-4, 6-3, but injured her left ankle and had to withdraw from the tournament. That advanced third-seeded Dinara Safina to the semi-finals.

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Novak Djokovic senses fear creeping into Roger Federer's game and thinks the Swiss star was so shaken by his lopsided French Open final defeat that his five-year reign at Wimbledon could end.

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The England rugby team closed ranks yesterday and refused to comment on the uproar surrounding a “serious allegation” against four players at a luxury Auckland hotel.

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It will be a homecoming for both Italy coach Nick Mallett and second row Carlo del Fava when they pit themselves against world champions South Africa at the weekend.

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India were yesterday desperately seeking an Olympic wildcard for double-trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi a day after his stunning World Cup victory in Belgrade.

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■ ICE HOCKEY