FOOTBALL
49ers extend Ahmad Brooks
The San Francisco 49ers kept one of the best linebacker units in the NFL intact by signing Ahmad Brooks to a six-year contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday. The deal, worth US$44.5 million according to local reports, will retain Brooks’ services on a ferocious defensive unit that includes All-Pro linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, as well as up-and-coming prospect Aldon Smith. Brooks became a starter last season and recorded career highs in tackles (59) and sacks (seven), while helping the 49ers enjoy a stellar season that took them all the way to the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco lost in overtime to the New York Giants to fall short of a Super Bowl appearance. The 28-year-old Brooks was claimed off waivers by the 49ers in 2008. He showed early but inconsistent promise, while setting a franchise record with five forced fumbles by a linebacker in 2009 before emerging last season as a key cog in the San Francisco defense.
HOCKEY
Beliveau suffers stroke
Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau suffered a stroke overnight and was admitted to hospital, the NHL team announced on Tuesday. The 80-year-old “is undergoing active investigation and treatments,” the team added in a statement. The hockey Hall-of-Famer played in 18 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, including 10 as captain. During his NHL career he scored more than 500 goals, led his team to 17 Stanley Cup championships as a player and after hanging up his skates as a team executive. In 1965, he became the first-ever recipient of the Conn Smythe trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs. He retired in 1971.
CRICKET
Clarke named for ODI
Australia named Michael Clarke for tomorrow’s one-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka, but chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the skipper would not be risked unless fully fit. Clarke has been struggling with back and hamstring problems and missed Sunday’s tri-series game against India. Inverarity told reporters yesterday that Clarke remained a doubt for the Melbourne Cricket Ground clash that will decide whether Australia face Sri Lanka or India in the finals. “One of the uncertainties at the moment is still Michael Clarke’s fitness,” he said. “We think he’s going to be okay for Friday, but we’re certainly going to have a low-risk strategy. If he’s ‘just about right,’ I don’t think we’ll play him.”
ATHLETICS
Reese back to indoor worlds
Reigning world long jump champ Brittney Reese heads the list of athletes named to the US team that will compete in next month’s IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships. Reese also won gold in the long jump at last year’s World Outdoor Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea. She has a world-best mark in the long jump this year. She and two-time world indoor 3,000m gold medalist Bernard Lagat are two of the 51 athletes named to the US team on Tuesday for the indoor games, which takes place in Istanbul, Turkey. Lagat was born in Kenya and won a silver and bronze Olympic medals for his native country before switching to US citizenship. He captured two golds for the US in the 1,500m and 5,000m at the 2007 world outdoor championships in Osaka, Japan. The US team also includes former Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin, who is attempting a comeback after serving a four-year doping ban.
Badminton world No. 3 Anders Antonsen clinched his first Indonesia Open title yesterday after beating Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen, while South Korea’s An Se-young won her second championship in Jakarta. The 28-year-old Dane sank world No. 7 Chou at the Indonesian capital’s Istora Senayan arena, winning 22-20, 21-14 in a 60-minute match to secure the prestigious Super 1000 event. Antonsen came out on top in a tightly contested first game before cruising to victory in the second. In a more closely fought women’s singles final, South Korean ace and world No. 1 An fought back from one game down to beat China’s
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
Italy crashed to a 3-0 loss away to Norway, as the four-time FIFA World Cup champions made a disastrous start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday, while Belgium had to settle for a draw in North Macedonia. Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland all scored in the first half in pouring rain in Oslo as Norway made it a night to forget for Italy, who missed out on the past two World Cups. “I have no explanation. Our supporters don’t deserve this kind of match. We need to do some soul-searching. It’s unacceptable,” Italy captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
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