Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting on Thursday captured her second Women’s World Boxing Championships title after stunning Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Irma Testa of Italy in the under-57kg final in Istanbul, Turkey. The 26-year-old Taiwanese registered a 4-1 majority decision in her first meeting with Testa, one of the stars of the Women’s World Boxing Championships that is being held at Istanbul’s Basaksehir Youth and Sports Facility. Lin took a 3-2 split scoring lead in the first round as she showed a lot of ambition by launching a strong attack. Testa rallied in the second round with a number of hooks, but Lin was faster in most of the exchanges and finished the period with a powerful right-handed jab. Lin’s final round guaranteed that she would win her second world title after claiming the bantamweight (under-54kg) title at the 2018 Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India. After Thursday’s bout, Lin praised her opponent, while expressing happiness at her second major title. “I have never met Irma Testa before, but I was looking forward [to] this contest. She is wonderful, a great boxer, and this was my most difficult contest in these championships. I had six contests in the event and of course I am tired, but so happy that I could win my second world title,” Lin said. Lin won Taiwan’s first-ever boxing world title at the 2013 AIBA Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.
Jayson Tatum on Thursday scored 27 points as the Boston Celtics roared back to level the NBA Eastern Conference Finals series with a 127-102 thrashing of the Miami Heat in Game 2. Bolstered by the return of Marcus Smart and Al Horford, who both missed Tuesday’s 118-107 Game 1 drubbing, Boston were a team transformed as they squared the best-of-seven series 1-1. Boston made only 11 of 34 from three-point range in Tuesday’s lopsided opener, when Miami outhustled them to claim a decisive victory, but the Celtics shrugged off that misfiring performance in emphatic fashion, draining 20 of 40 from beyond the arc to overwhelm Miami. Tatum led the scorers, but there were huge contributions throughout the Celtics lineup. Smart finished with 24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, while Jaylen Brown also posted 24 points, including 12 from three-point range. Grant Williams added 19 from the bench, while Horford and Payton Pritchard had 10 points each. Jimmy Butler led the Miami scoring with 29 points, but only three other Heat players made double figures. Celtics coach Ime Udoka said the return of Smart and Horford had been decisive. “It was great to have them back, they’re a calming presence,” Udoka said. “I don’t think we played as poorly as the last game suggested. We won three quarters of that game, but we saw a lot of positives and areas that we could attack.” Smart admitted that he had found it hard to sit out Game 1 with a foot injury. “I felt bad that I couldn’t be out there with my teammates going to battle with them,” Smart said. “We’re playing a really good Miami team and it’s a blessing to be on the same court going to war. It was tough having to watch it.” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said his team had expected a Boston backlash. “I’m sure
In four games over a pressure-filled week, the Tampa Bay Lightning have gone from the brink of playoff elimination to a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Ross Colton on Thursday scored with 3.8 seconds remaining, giving the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series. The Lightning have won four straight since falling behind Toronto 3-2 in the first round and will look to take a commanding series lead over the Presidents Trophy-winning Panthers when the matchup moves across the state to Tampa for Game 3 tomorrow. Colton said he was just trying not to get scored on in the final minute. He wound up being the hero when Nikita Kucherov retrieved a loose puck behind the Florida net and flicked a perfect no-look, backhand pass that Colton lifted over Sergei Bobrovsky’s right shoulder to win it. “I was kind of trying to sit back and let the plays come to us, but when you’re on the ice with [Kucherov] you have to be ready for anything. Once I saw the puck behind the net, I just went to the front of the net,” Colton said. “He’s got eyes in the back of his head, as you can see, because I didn’t even know he knew I was there. He gift-wrapped it for me. Luckily it just squeaked under the bar there, but unbelievable play by him.” Florida, who had the NHL’s best record during the regular season, now have to win four of the final five games in the series to advance to the Eastern Conference Final, while the Lightning are playing like a team determined to become the first to win three straight Stanley Cup titles since the New York Islanders captured four in a row in the early 1980s. “We’re
Hamburg SV have one foot back in the Bundesliga after earning a 1-0 win at Hertha BSC in Thursday’s relegation/promotion playoff, first leg thanks to a speculative strike by midfielder Ludovit Reis. Reis’ winner at Berlin’s Olympiastadion gives Hamburg, who were relegated from the top flight in 2017-2018, the edge ahead of Monday’s home second leg. “It doesn’t matter who scores or how the ball goes in,” Reis told Sky. “The main thing is we have to stay positive and keep the focus for Monday.” In front of a sell-out crowd of 76,000, Hertha looked to have taken the lead when Algeria striker Ishak Belfodil headed into the bottom corner, but Maximilian Mittelstaedt was offside when he put in the cross. Reis, a Netherlands under-21 midfielder who also qualifies for Slovakia, broke the deadlock with a speculative cross-cum-shot to the far post which looped over Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen after 57 minutes. “I saw where the goalkeeper was standing, but my intention was just to get the ball to the far post for someone else,” Reis said. The visitors had another clear chance when Reis forced Christensen into a save from just outside the penalty area with four minutes left. Hamburg qualified for the playoff by finishing third in Germany’s second tier after winning all of their final five matches. Hertha ended up third from bottom of the Bundesliga after losing both of their final two matches against FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund. Coached by former Hamburg legend Felix Magath, Hertha face the prospect of being relegated after nine consecutive years in Germany’s top flight. “It’s only 1-0, everything is still possible,” Hertha midfielder Niklas Stark said.
TRAPP DELIVERS: Kevin Trapp made a key save in the final minutes of extra-time, denying Ryan Kent, then kept Aaron Ramsey’s shoot-out attempt out
Eintracht Frankfurt’s 42-year wait for a European trophy is over after the German club on Wednesday ended their title drought with a penalty shoot-out win over Rangers in the UEFA Europa League final. Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp came up with a big save at the end of extra-time and another in the shoot-out to help give Frankfurt a 5-4 win on penalties. The game ended 1-1 after regulation and extra-time. Colombia striker Rafael Borre, who scored a second-half equalizer for Frankfurt, converted the decisive penalty to clinch the club’s first European trophy since the 1979-1980 UEFA Cup, a predecessor to the Europa League. The win also secures a first appearance in the UEFA Champions League next season for Frankfurt. “It feels incredible,” Trapp said. “I’m trying to catch my breath still. For us, for Frankfurt, for the region. For the whole of Germany I think it’s a wonderful thing. To be able to give back to our fans this way is so special.” Trapp, a former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, made a key save in the final minutes of extra-time by stretching out a leg to stop a close-range shot by Ryan Kent. The veteran goalkeeper used his left leg to stop Aaron Ramsey’s penalty in the shoot-out, setting off huge celebrations by Frankfurt’s “white wall” of fans behind the opposite goal. There were also wild celebrations in Germany as Frankfurt fans packed the club’s stadium to watch a telecast of the final. Joe Aribo gave Rangers the lead in the 57th minute and Borre equalized in the 69th minute for Frankfurt, who became the third team to go through the Europa League unbeaten after Chelsea in 2018-2019 and Villarreal last season. Ramsey, a former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder, entered the match in the final minutes of extra-time to be in the shoot-out. Christopher Lenz, Ajdin Hrustic, Daichi Kamada and Filip Kostic also
Stephen Curry had 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds on Wednesday and Golden State held Luka Doncic in check as the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-87 for a 1-0 lead in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference Finals. Once Curry and Thompson slowed down, caught their breath and stopped rushing shots, the Splash Brothers got on a roll that proved too much for Dallas to stop. Especially because Andrew Wiggins worked end to end to make sure Doncic could not get going. “Just make him work, that was the main thing,” Wiggins said. Doncic scored 20 points, but shot just six of 18 and three of 10 from deep. He made back-to-back three-pointers late in the first half to get his team within 54-45 at the break, but Curry and Thompson heated up and helped the Warriors pull away in the second half. “A great job. That’s it,” Doncic said. “They did a great job.” Jalen Brunson scored 14 points, but missed all five of his three-point attempts for the surprising Mavs, who stunned the top-seeded Suns in a 123-90 thumping in Game 7 in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday. The Warriors reached five straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019, but missed the playoffs for the past two years before this run. Wiggins added 19 points, getting Golden State going by making six of his first eight shots on the way to shooting eight of 17. Jordan Poole scored 19 off the bench. Doncic received a scratch across his face early from a first-quarter swipe by Wiggins. The mark — “makes me look tough,” he quipped — went from the bridge of the star guard’s nose across his right cheek under the eye. Doncic also tugged at his troublesome right shoulder that has been taped previously during these playoffs. “They did a really good job. Wiggins picking him up
Cuban boxers are to compete in their nation’s first professional contest in six decades today, eager to draw on their Olympic success to stage a victorious comeback. Four Olympic medalists in a squad of six Cuban boxers are to make their professional debuts in Mexico “for the first time in the history of boxing,” event organizer Gerardo Saldivar said. Cuba has long been a powerhouse of Olympic boxing, but participation in professional sport was barred by former Cuban president Fidel Castro in 1962. After decades of defections by boxers who fled overseas to pursue salaried careers, the communist nation’s authorities last month finally opened up participation in professional boxing competitions. Members of the “Los Domadores” national team are to fight their first professional bouts in Aguascalientes, Mexico, under a deal between the Cuban Boxing Federation and Golden Ring Promotions. “Let world boxing fans know that Cubans have the quality and pedigree to box in all kinds of fields,” two-time Olympic champion and team captain Julio Cesar la Cruz said. Also competing against opponents from Mexico and Colombia are three-time world champion and Olympic medalist Lazaro Alvarez, along with two-time Olympic champions Roniel Iglesias and Arlen Lopez. “I feel very proud and eager to make my professional debut,” said Alvarez, who hopes for a “great show.” “Let the whole world know and let all the boxers know that I’m looking forward to it and that I want to be great,” said Alvarez, who has adopted the nickname “The Prince” for his professional debut. The Cuban squad are rounded out by world champion Yoenlis Hernandez and super featherweight Osvel Caballero, who replaced Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz at the last minute. Federation president Alberto Puig said that Andy Cruz was excluded from the squad because he had neglected training. Cuban boxers hold about 80 world and 41 Olympic titles. Today’s contest comes as Cuba
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka yesterday drew the first Test in Chittagong after Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella hung on for the visitors in a vital seventh-wicket stand. Two teams settled on a draw 45 minutes before the scheduled close of play, with Sri Lanka on 260-6 in their second innings. Dickwella was unbeaten on 61 alongside Chandimal on 39 not out at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Hosts Bangladesh made 465 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s 397 as Tamim Iqbal (133) and Mushfiqur Rahim (105) played starring roles. Angelo Mathews hit 199 to form the backbone of the Sri Lanka first innings and Nayeem Hasan claimed 6-105 for Bangladesh. Yesterday, left-arm spin duo Taijul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan had given Bangladesh hope of victory with early strikes, before Chandimal and Dickwella thwarted the home side. Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne made 52 before he gave a catch to his counterpart Mominul Haque at midwicket off Taijul. Shakib soon had Dhananjaya de Silva out for 33 off 60 balls, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 161-6 before Dickwella and Chandimal dug in.
ICE HOCKEY Hurricanes defeat Rangers Ian Cole beat Igor Shesterkin in overtime on Wednesday to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers 2-1 and take Game 1 of their second-round NHL playoff series. The defenseman’s second career playoff goal capped a late comeback by the Hurricanes after they trailed for most of the night. In Calgary, Alberta, Matthew Tkachuk had his first career playoff hat-trick as the home-town Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers 9-6 in Game 1 of their series. RUGBY UNION Barrett seeks tackling help All Blacks lock Scott Barrett said he consulted with sports psychologists to help him get to the bottom of his tackling problems while serving a three-week ban in Super Rugby Pacific. The Canterbury Crusaders captain returned to action in last week’s win against the ACT Brumbies following his suspension for a dangerous tackle on Auckland Blues prop Alex Hodgman. Barrett said that his confidence had taken a knock after the incident. He spent time with All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka and sports psychologist Ceri Evans, while working with Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison on technique. “I’ve sorted a few of my own things out, with tackle technique, building confidence back up ... with something like that you can internalize it, over-analyze things, which I naturally can do,” Barrett told New Zealand media in Christchurch. “Gilbert Enoka and Ceri Evans reached out and I leaned on them, naturally. They broke down the issue itself, helped step out any processes, so I don’t fall into the foul-play trap in future.” BASEBALL Serven foul goes to mother Colorado Rockies catcher Brian Serven on Wednesday fouled off the first pitch in his very first MLB at-bat, right in the direction of his family sitting behind home plate at Coors Field — and his mother ended up with the ball. “It’s pretty funny
‘LOST COMPOSURE’: Boston coach Ime Udoka bemoaned his team’s performance in the third quarter, during which the Heat had a 22-2 run to turn the game around
Jimmy Butler on Tuesday scored 41 points as the Miami Heat produced a devastating comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-107 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference finals series. Butler led a revitalized Miami second-half display as the Heat transformed an eight-point halftime deficit into a double-digit lead against a depleted Celtics side at FTX Arena in Miami. Trailing 62-54 at the break, Miami outscored the Celtics 39-14 in the third quarter to set up a victory that gives the Eastern Conference top seeds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Butler received scoring support from Tyler Herro with 18 points and Gabe Vincent with 17 points. However, the win owed as much to Miami’s renewed defensive effort in the second half, with the Heat shutting down Boston’s Jayson Tatum, and forcing a series of crucial turnovers and 11 blocks throughout the game. “The guys were just really disappointed at halftime,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I barely needed to say anything. Everyone was just really disappointed at our defensive focus and effort,” said Spoelstra, praising the leadership of Butler during the third-quarter blitz. “Jimmy just inspired everybody in that third quarter,” Spoelstra said. “Every time and pocket in the game when we needed control, or to get the right shot, or make the right decision, Jimmy had his fingerprints on it.” Butler said that Miami went back to basics in the second half. “Keep the game easy, simple, learn to capitalize off their mistakes,” Butler said. “That’s what changed in the second half. I didn’t change anything. I continued to play basketball the right way. Shoot the ball when I’m open, hit the open guy.” The Celtics shrugged off the injury absence of Marcus Smart and Al Horford to COVID-19 protocols to look the sharper side in the first half, taking a 10-4 lead in the opening minutes. Miami
The Orlando Magic on Tuesday won the NBA draft lottery and landed the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since they got Dwight Howard in 2004. It is the fourth time that lottery luck has struck for the Magic, who won back-to-back years in 1992 and 1993, taking Shaquille O’Neal and then trading the rights to Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway. Orlando finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 22-60 and missed the playoffs for the eighth time in 10 years. However, they got a huge win in the lottery, where they had a 14 percent chance to land the top pick. “It feels great,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said. “I’m so happy for our fans. They really stuck with us. And nights like this help, where you can really show the fruits of why you go through these phases and these cycles. And hopefully, they’re really excited by this,” Weltman added. The college players most widely considered to be likely first-pick candidates are: Paolo Banchero of the Duke Blue Devils, Chet Holmgren of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Jaden Ivey of the Purdue Boilermakers and Jabari Smith of the Auburn Tigers. The draft is scheduled for June 23 in New York. Oklahoma City got the second pick, followed by the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.
Juergen Klopp gambled by making nine changes to his side for Tuesday’s crucial Premier League game against Southampton, but the Liverpool manager was left impressed by his fringe players after their 2-1 win kept the title race alive. The win took Liverpool to within a point of leaders Manchester City ahead of the final matches on Sunday. Klopp, already without Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk due to injury, made a raft of changes to the side who beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final on Saturday. “After making nine changes, if it didn’t work out it was my responsibility, now it worked out it’s the boys’ responsibility. I thought they did exceptionally well,” Klopp said. “I’m so happy about the performance, it was a bit touching. It’s like having Ferraris in the garage.” Takumi Minamino, one of the players brought in, canceled out Nathan Redmond’s strike as Liverpool came from behind to pick up the win. “That Takumi doesn’t play more often, that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is in outstanding shape and is not part of the squad very often, Harvey [Elliott] didn’t play for a long time, Curtis [Jones] didn’t play for a long time and all these boys deliver, it’s unbelievable,” Klopp said. “It is really tough for the boys, but whatever happens this year happens because of this group. It is exceptional and tonight they showed it again.” Liverpool, who are chasing a quadruple of trophies, are to host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, while City are to play Aston Villa.
Politicians are meant to kiss babies, not crash into children, but on the campaign trail yesterday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison barrelled into a young boy during a friendly kickaround, eliciting a chorus of stunned “ooohs” and “aaaws” from spectators. Morrison was playing five-a-side soccer in northern Tasmania, where he is trawling for votes ahead of Saturday’s election. At first, Morrison — shorn of his jacket, but still sporting a shirt and tie — sauntered around the field somewhat aimlessly, trying to get a toe on the ball here and there as it ping-ponged from boy to boy. However, then the 54-year-old stepped it up a gear, hunting down a cross-field pass that threatened the opposition’s pop-up mini-goal. Morrison, who recently described himself as “a bit of a bulldozer,” lowered his head and torso like a veteran sprinter ready to burst out of the blocks and propelled himself forward to intercept the pass. Unfortunately, a small red-haired boy about two-thirds of Morrison’s size was in the way. Morrison’s left shoulder drove into the unsuspecting child, sending both tumbling to the artificial turf in what one commentator called “doing a BoJo,” a reference to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s similar escapades during a friendly rugby union match. Realizing what he had done, Morrison threw his arms around the kid in a hug and lifted him off the ground, as a coach sprinted across to help and photographers switched to rapid-fire. Morrison’s teammates played on, taking advantage of the man — and boy — down to drill the ball into the top-right corner. The shocked interjections turned to muffled laughs as the youngster dusted himself off and Morrison sheepishly rose to his feet. “Red card and facing the tribunal on Saturday,” a commentator wrote on Twitter.
The Japan Football Association has been informally approached about the possibility of replacing China as hosts of next year’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, association chairman Kozo Tashima told Nikkan Sports. The AFC on Saturday last week announced that China had pulled out of hosting the 24-team continental championship, citing the COVID-19 situation in the country. “We were sounded out,” Tashima told the newspaper, without giving further details. “If Japan were able to host, there’s no question that it would be pretty exciting.” The association was not immediately available for comment. Japan has the stadium infrastructure in place to stage the tournament in June and July next year, having cohosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002, the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Olympic soccer tournament last year. Other potential hosts such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia would need the tournament moved back to late next year or early 2024. Qatar, which is hosting the FIFA World Cup this year, and Saudi Arabia would be inhospitable in the middle of the year because of the summer heat, while Australia is cohosting the Women’s World Cup in July and August next year.
ICE HOCKEY Avalanche win Game 1 Josh Manson scored in overtime on Tuesday as the Colorado Avalanche overcame a sluggish start to beat the St Louis Blues 3-2 in Game 1 of their second-round Western Conference NHL playoff series. Ryan O’Reilly had a first-period goal and Jordan Kyrou tied it late for St Louis. In Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semi-final series. WRESTLING Punch earns life ban A wrestler has been banned for life after punching a referee as tempers flared in a sweltering New Delhi arena with no air-conditioning during a heat wave. Satender Malik was sweating it out in the under-125kg class during trials on Tuesday for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when the referee ruled in favour of his opponent. Malik stormed across the mat, shouted expletives at referee Jagbir Singh and punched him in the face. “Never before has such a thing happened,” Vinod Tomar, an official with the Wrestling Federation of India, told reporters. “He not only hit the referee, but also threatened to kill him. A police complaint has been made and we have banned him for life.” CRICKET Anderson, Broad recalled England yesterday recalled bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the opening two matches of a three-Test series against New Zealand next month. The pacemen were left out of the squad for the recent tour of the Caribbean, but were named in a 13-man squad as England prepare for the first match of Ben Stokes’ reign as England captain at Lord’s, starting on June 2. Meanwhile, Australian Matthew Mott has been appointed as the new head coach of the England limited-overs side in a four-year deal. GYMNASTICS Russian gets one-year ban Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has been given a one-year ban for displaying a symbol supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
A DESERVED WIN: Arsenal were lucky to leave the pitch with only a 2-0 defeat, as a despondent Mikel Arteta said ‘Newcastle were 10 times better than us’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta castigated his side for throwing away a season’s work in a limp 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United that looks set to see the Gunners miss out on the UEFA Champions League for a sixth successive season. Tottenham Hotspur remain two points above their north London rivals in fourth place in the English Premier League. Spurs now realistically only need a draw away to already-relegated Norwich City on Sunday to secure a top-four finish thanks to their superior goal difference. Arsenal’s defeat also guaranteed third-place Chelsea’s place in the Champions League next season. Ben White’s own-goal and Bruno Guimaraes’ late strike were the difference between the sides. Yet the manner of the Newcastle performance was even more impressive as coach Eddie Howe’s men sent a message they could be challenging for a top-four finish themselves next season. “A really difficult night to swallow,” Arteta said. “Newcastle deserved to win comfortably. They were much better from the first minute, we had nothing in the game.” “They were much better than us in everything that a football match requires. We could not cope tonight with the game we had to play here,” he said. Arteta’s men were in the driving seat with three games to go as they lead Spurs by four points, but Tottenham’s 3-0 derby win on Thursday cranked up the pressure on the young Gunners who failed to respond. “Newcastle were 10 times better than us and the performance was nowhere near what we need to play in the Champions League,” Arteta added. “We weren’t at the races.” Only Manchester City and Liverpool have won more Premier League points than the Magpies this year. “It was a brilliant all-round performance. It was front foot, we never let up and that’s the most pleasing thing,” Howe said. “We have to improve and work incredibly hard to improve everything
Blackpool teenager Jake Daniels’ decision to come out as the first gay professional soccer player in the British men’s game in more than 30 years was on Monday heralded as a historic moment. The 17-year-old forward made the announcement in a statement on the club’s Web site. “Off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am,” he said. “I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.” Former Norwich City and Nottingham Forest striker Justin Fashanu came out publicly as gay in 1990, during his playing career. “It’s a step into the unknown being one of the first footballers in this country to reveal my sexuality, but I’ve been inspired by Josh Cavallo, [non-league manager] Matt Morton and athletes from other sports, like [diver] Tom Daley, to have the courage and determination to drive change,” Daniels said. A-League player Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United, announced he was gay in October last year. Daniels, who recently made his first-team debut for the club, said he had confided in his teammates in the youth team, who had supported him. “I’ve hated lying my whole life and feeling the need to change to fit in,” Daniels said. “I want to be a role model myself by doing this.” “There are people out there in the same space as me that may not feel comfortable revealing their sexuality. I just want to tell them that you don’t have to change who you are, or how you should be, just to fit in,” he said. All 20 English Premier League clubs tweeted their support of Daniels, who received praise from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “Thank you for your bravery Jake. It would have taken huge courage to come out and you will be an inspiration
A stoppage-time goal from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on Monday earned SS Lazio a dramatic 2-2 draw at Juventus in Serie A, a point that sealed the Rome club’s spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League, overshadowing Giorgio Chiellini and Paulo Dybala’s farewell. Already assured of a fourth-placed finish this term, Juventus could take the game to Lazio with the pressure off, racing into a 10th-minute lead after Dusan Vlahovic’s flying header found the net. Veteran defender Chiellini was then taken off early, and given a standing ovation by fans in what is to be his last home match for Juventus before he leaves the club after 18 years in Turin. NOT ENOUGH Spanish striker Alvaro Morata then doubled Juve’s lead in the 36th minute as they looked on course to give their supporters something to cheer after a disappointing season on the whole for Serie A’s most successful side. However, Juve took their foot off the gas in the second half, with Alex Sandro’s own-goal six minutes after the break giving Lazio hope of getting something from the match. The visitors did not look like they had another goal in them, with Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri taking Dybala off to allow him his moment of applause before he also leaves the club. Milinkovic-Savic had the final say, with the last kick of the game, ensuring Lazio in fifth cannot be caught by ACF Fiorentina in seventh, so a Europa League campaign awaits next term. EMOTIONAL NIGHT “Tonight was a wonderful evening, full of emotions,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. “The evening of Chiellini and Dybala. “A few videos of Chiellini should be sent to our training ground to show how he applies himself. On a personal and human level, he also helped me a lot when I arrived at Juventus. He introduced me to Juventus,” Allegri said. “Dybala was an important player
As cycling’s Giro d’Italia enters its second week, French climber Romain Bardet might be sitting pretty but is taking nothing for granted on a treacherous route that has already claimed the scalp of three of the supposed front-runners. British team Ineos Grenadiers are setting a ferocious pace at key moments with the aim of wearing out any rider having a poor day, and poor days have so far wrecked the chances of 2017 winner Tom Dumoulin, his Dutch compatriot, Wilco Kelderman, and the 2018 Vuelta a Espana champion Simon Yates. Just 17 seconds separate six plausible champions with Richard Carapaz of Ineos and Mikel Landa of Bahrain Victorious the main threats to Bardet’s chances of finally landing a major prize at the age of 31. “So far so good,” Bardet said on Monday’s rest day ahead of two flat stages, three hilly ones and a single mountain stage on week two, before the mountainous final week. Bardet is fully aware of the old adage that “you can’t win a grand tour on one day, but you can lose it with one bad stage.” “There will be hazards every day this week, you have to keep your wits about you,” said Bardet, who feels Saturday’s short but hilly run from Santena to Turin could prove costly for someone. “I’ve been through many highs and lows on the grand tours,” said the man who has been runner-up on a Tour de France and at a world championships. “So I don’t get too carried away now, this morning I went for a spin on the bike, had a massage and a nice BBQ,” the Team DSM leader said. Opportunities for such relaxing moments might be limited in the next two weeks for pure climber Bardet, who was pipped to the line on Sunday’s mountain finish. A stage win would have seen
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