RUGBY SEVENS
New Zealand to face UK
Defending World Series champions New Zealand set up a quarter-final against England after finishing the first day of the season-opening Gold Coast Sevens in Australia on Friday unbeaten. Former Series winners Samoa and South Africa and reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales also maintained 100 percent records, setting up quarter-final clashes against Australia, France and Fiji respectively. New Zealand, blooding four newcomers to the world circuit, dominated their pool, beating Kenya 26-5, Niue 38-0 and Fiji 28-5 as they set out in search of their 10th title in 13 years. South Africa recorded wins against the US, Japan and Australia, while last year’s champions, Samoa, beat Argentina 31-0 to help send France through to the quarter-finals. Harry Robinson scored twice as Wales surprised England 21-7 in the final Pool D match to reach the Cup quarter-finals as pool winners. However, South Africa coach Paul Treu was left with a potential headache after key playmaker Cecil Afrika damaged a rib.
Photo: AFP
SOCCER
Poland calls investigation
Polish Sports Minister Joanna Mucha announced in Warsaw on Friday that she had called in graft investigators amid swirling rumors of corruption at the top of the Euro 2012 host nation’s soccer association. “I have sent the chief prosecutor a letter informing him of suspected corruption under Article 296a of the criminal code,” Mucha told reporters, referring to a crime that carries up to five years in jail. “I have sent the same information to the Central Anti-corruption Bureau, and I have also asked the Polish Football Association [PZPN] for an explanation.” The spotlight is now firmly on Gregorz Lato, a former star Poland striker who has been at the helm of the PZPN since 2008. Already under pressure over his management style, Lato was identified by internal PZPN critics as one of two men speaking on a recording broadcast on Friday by rolling news channel TVN24. The other individual was said to be a close Lato aide. The duo were heard discussing the construction of a new PZPN headquarters and what profits could be made from it.
ICE HOCKEY
Deveaux suspended
New York Rangers forward Andre Deveaux has been suspended without pay for three games for an illegal check to the head of Florida forward Tomas Fleischmann, the NHL said on Friday. The incident occurred in the second period of Wednesday’s game against Florida when Deveaux stuck out his left leg while at the same time flaring his left elbow, league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said in a video posted on the NHL Web site. “Deveaux’s elbow catches Fleischmann in the jaw, making his head the principal point of contact,” the NHL official said. “Reckless targeting was evident.” An injured Fleischmann went to the locker room after the play, but returned later in the period. Deveaux was given a five-minute match penalty by officials for an illegal check
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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