SOCCER
Ballack to say farewell
Former Germany captain Michael Ballack confirmed on Thursday that he plans to hold a farewell game in Leipzig on June 5 with a host of stars set to attend, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jose Mourinho. Ballack, 36, who retired in October last year, made the last of his 98 appearances for Germany in February 2010. He captained his country to third at the 2006 World Cup and spent four years at Chelsea from 2006 to 2010. Under the slogan “Ciao Capitano. A world-class evening,” Bayern Munich midfielder Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid coach Mourinho are already confirmed for a “Ballack and Friends” team taking on a World XI. “Of course, I want to play a bit in both teams, but my fitness levels will decide that,” said Ballack, who turned down an invitation from the German Football Association to win his 99th cap in the 3-2 friendly against Brazil in August 2011. Germany coach Joachim Loew has been invited to Ballack’s farewell and his former captain hopes he will be there. “I had a successful time with Loew in the national team, even if there was tension at the end,” said Ballack, who had a public falling out with Loew in October 2008.
BASEBALL
Jeter back in training
Derek Jeter has been cleared to resume baseball activities following ankle surgery and was expected at a training camp yesterday, the New York Yankees said. Jeter, 38, had a routine scheduled visit yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Robert Anderson, who performed the operation in October last year. Jeter broke his left ankle on Oct. 13 in the American League Championship Series against Detroit. The shortstop has said repeatedly that he would be ready to play by the Yankees’ season-opener on April 1.
SWIMMING
Barrister to head AOC probe
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) yesterday appointed a barrister to lead its own investigation into drug use and bullying by swimmers at last year’s London Games. The AOC said Bret Walker would begin investigating the use of prescription drug Stilnox by members of the men’s freestyle relay team, as well as other general misbehavior. The AOC’s move comes two weeks after swimmers James Magnussen, Eamon Sullivan, Matt Targett, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy admitted to using Stilnox in a team bonding exercise at a pre-Olympic camp in Manchester, England. A sixth member of the relay group, James Roberts, denied taking the sleep medication, but the entire group was found to be involved in late-night misbehavior, upsetting female teammates. The investigation is separate to Swimming Australia’s Integrity Panel, headed by former Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath.
GOLF
Open back at The Australian
Jack Nicklaus has announced that The Australian Golf Club, where he won three of his six Australian Opens, will host the country’s national championship next year following a redesign of the layout by the 18-time major champion. The course hosted the first Australian Open in 1904 and it was last played there in 2007 when it was won by Craig Parry. Nicklaus, who won the Australian Open at The Australian in 1975, 1976 and 1978, also helped redesign the course between 1977 and 1980, adding length and water hazards. This year’s Australian Open will be played for the fourth consecutive year at The Lakes, also in Sydney, in December. Peter Senior is the defending champion.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
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